Today We Celebrate
Instead of one long entry up for two weeks, I do two short ones for each day. Or a long and a short. Oy. I completely forgot to mention The 4th yesterday, but that’s what today is, Independence Day.
Look, I’m really worried about this shuttle launch. The chief engineer and chief safety officer are both opposed to the launch, and it seems a tremendous risk to go ahead with it. In truth, I think everyone at NASA realizes that the shuttles are no longer a viable option for space travel. But they won’t have their new spacecraft until 2010? So they have to bridge the gap with going ahead with launches when they shouldn’t. And on the 4th of July, no less. People say that if there’s an accident, it will be the end of NASA, but I don’t think it will be NASA’s fault. Imagine the political pressure of pulling off a successful, picture perfect launch on our Independence Day. Bush’s ratings might go up a point. Not that it would be his fault. It’s just unfortunate that they’ve decided to go ahead with it. But by the time most of you read this, you’ll already know if it was good or bad, so we’ll have to see.
Speaking on politics, I know it feels shitty to celebrate an Independence Day in this country when almost every section of our government is turning into a great Constitution eating maw. But, that’s not what our country’s about, and I think we know that, and that’s why we’re so mad. I mean, if we were in China, we wouldn’t gripe about how oppressive the government is because it’s a given. But here, we have the right to know that our country was not designed to be run this way, listening to our conversations, holding people without trial, limiting our access to information. It’s all bullshit, and we know it. So instead of being pissed about how our government is abusing its role, let’s reflect on what our country is supposed to be. Here's Jon Stewart's first broadcast after 9/11, 9 minutes of sorrowful yet hopeful honesty. I suggest you read either the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address, or the I Have A Dream speech today, because I think it’s good to hold that optimism in our hearts when there’s so much pessimism all around us.
Look, I’m really worried about this shuttle launch. The chief engineer and chief safety officer are both opposed to the launch, and it seems a tremendous risk to go ahead with it. In truth, I think everyone at NASA realizes that the shuttles are no longer a viable option for space travel. But they won’t have their new spacecraft until 2010? So they have to bridge the gap with going ahead with launches when they shouldn’t. And on the 4th of July, no less. People say that if there’s an accident, it will be the end of NASA, but I don’t think it will be NASA’s fault. Imagine the political pressure of pulling off a successful, picture perfect launch on our Independence Day. Bush’s ratings might go up a point. Not that it would be his fault. It’s just unfortunate that they’ve decided to go ahead with it. But by the time most of you read this, you’ll already know if it was good or bad, so we’ll have to see.
Speaking on politics, I know it feels shitty to celebrate an Independence Day in this country when almost every section of our government is turning into a great Constitution eating maw. But, that’s not what our country’s about, and I think we know that, and that’s why we’re so mad. I mean, if we were in China, we wouldn’t gripe about how oppressive the government is because it’s a given. But here, we have the right to know that our country was not designed to be run this way, listening to our conversations, holding people without trial, limiting our access to information. It’s all bullshit, and we know it. So instead of being pissed about how our government is abusing its role, let’s reflect on what our country is supposed to be. Here's Jon Stewart's first broadcast after 9/11, 9 minutes of sorrowful yet hopeful honesty. I suggest you read either the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address, or the I Have A Dream speech today, because I think it’s good to hold that optimism in our hearts when there’s so much pessimism all around us.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
posted by Monsterbeard @ 11:37 AM
3 Comments:
At 5:26 AM, July 11, 2006,
Anonymous said…
I think that when it comes to other nations acknowledging if they are oppressed or not isn't an issue of history--if they've always been oppressed, they don't know what freedom is, etc. Especially now in modern times when there is such a huge accessibility to televisions and global networks, poor people around the world are much more acutely aware of their poverty, political situation, and hence oppression. Chinese people, I assume, are just as aware of their oppression as people around the world who see what freedom looks and feels like on their television screens. Freedom is always something to be upset about, whether in America with a history of it or China with a vague sense of it.
At 6:01 PM, July 11, 2006,
Monsterbeard said…
Steve, hi. It was really nice seeing you.
I wasn't implying that the Chinese weren't aware of their situation. But they aren't surprised by it. I mean, it's been this way for over 50 years, so they're used to their government using secret tactics and silencing certain aspects of their governing. I, meanwhile, am not, so it IS a surprise. However, if I had a choice, I would certainly wish the Chinese to be a bit more free in exchange for some of my own. I am definitely upset about the freedom issue all over the world.
At 5:28 AM, July 19, 2006,
Anonymous said…
Chris, I misunderstood. I apologize for what looked like an attack. I'm perhaps a bit sensitive to the issue since the crapholes in charge of where I'm living have been fucking with my e-mail account this week.
Wait--what's that? What's that I hear? Oh! That sounds like 59! 59 Days Left Here!
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