If you don’t like reading the political stuff, you may rather read a cool story about Pac Man today. 🙂
I was talking with some friends about some recent entries, and the “Why don’t you leave the country if you don’t like it here” emails I’ve gotten. I was pretty upset, because I do like–no, I love–my country, precisely because we have a vested interest in keeping an eye on our leaders, and making sure that our checks and balances stay checked and balanced.
I’m upset lately, because I see the current administration trying desperately to unravel those checks and balances, and most people seem to be just fine with that.
So I have been trying to articulate why I think it’s important to keep an eye on government, and why it bothers me so much that there are now people who vehemently hate me because I’m exercising my responsibility as an American citizen and doing just that.
Well, each time I would try and compose my thoughts, I’d become paralyzed with frustration, because I just couldn’t find the words.
Fortunately, someone else has put them together, and she says exactly what I have been trying to say.
This comes from a friend of mine, who is a disabled veteran, and very smart person:
“It is our duty as responsible citizens to keep an eye on the government and to question them when we feel they are leading us astray. “We the people” have an investment in our country, and we must continually perform our due diligence to make sure our investment is not squandered or stolen. We’ve invested our lives, our freedom, the safety of our families in this country, and it would be foolhardy to let that go by unwatched. The founding fathers knew that governments could evolve into dictatorships, so they built safeguards against that into the Constitution. When those safeguards get whittled away, everyone should consider whether or not this is defeating the concept of a free nation that our forefathers envisioned. Everyone should consider how rights were slowly taken away in Communist Russia and Nazi Germany, until bit by bit, the nations became oppressive regimes. Everyone should consider how easy it is to justify temporary restriction of basic rights for the common good, and how this has often led to ruin in the past. I reiterate: it is not only our right under the First Amendment to question the government, but it is our solemn duty as responsible citizens of a free country to do so.”
The Far Right meets the Far Left!!!
It’s amazing how “liberals” are so up in arms about the erosion of our civil rights, yet still remain stalwart supporters of Bill Clinton. Clinton did all kinds of nasty EO kinds of things, plus pushed for more restrictions on other rights, such as the Second Amendment.
Being a “hard-core” Libertarian, I can’t help but being amused listening to Liberals bawl like branded cattle, after THEY were the ones arguing for more restrictions on our Civil Rights from 1992-2000. Liberal folks, your hands are NOT clean…
Remember this: The rights you want for yourselves are the exact same rights your opposition gets. Upset about “First Amendment Zones” and want to see them repealed because of the OSU thing? Guess what? That means Operation Rescue can do what they did at abortion clinics before the FAZ doctrine came down. Be careful, lest you be hoisted on your own petard…
Attributed to Voltaire, a suitable thought for today:
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
It’s only polite.
Truly in the spirit of Voltaire: http://www.theonion.com/onion3211/acludefends.html
Okay. Sorry. Thought that was funny. Actually, just the headline was funny.
Oh, the hell with it.
🙂
Wil,
Well hell, yes I agree with most of what you say and reference. But I like your life stories the best. I can go to what seems like an infinite number of sites to read political commentary but there is only one Wil Wheaton site, where you can read about Feris and geocaching and a story about a maybe standoffish kid that got a slurpee and a ride in the new Golf and “maybe this guy Wil isn’t so bad after all”, and he knows nothing about your history so this is a real personal experience with a kid for Wil. And you are a sane and nice and kind person. And your stories are good. Ugh on all that political crap. It very seldom makes me feel good about anything at all. Check this out, if you haven’t already. http://www.eckharttolle.com/mainpage.htm
John
Is this a hand basket I’m in? Why is it geting so damn hot? Is that George Dub-ya Bush in the corner?
Now I’m not sure what I find more disturbing, the nature of our government or that I, as a young adult, would rather discuss politics then Pac Man.
Oh and for all the poor misguided souls that think Wil should leave the country for having gripes about the American government, grab your passports and I’ll see you off at at the gate because if you can’t see free speach in action you might as well pull up a nice little corner of Zimbabwe. (nothing personal people of Zimbabwe.)
Thanks, Wil, for speaking your mind and being such an all-around good person.
I find it so humorous (in a sad and sick way) that so many self-defined Republicans are fully behind W. Bush as he attempts to create even more governmental intervention in our lives – all the while dismantling those non-intrusive programs that actually help people in their pursuit of happiness.
Rock on.
P.S. Now if Bill Simon is elected governor, I reserve the right to FREAK OUT and head to the great white north.
This country sucks in a lot of ways but it’s still the best country in the world to live in. If people stopped to think about that before they asked you stupid questions like, “why don’t you leave if you don’t like it here”, they wouldn’t ask stupid questions like, “why don’t you leave if you don’t like it here”. Makes about as much sense as my post…
You americans are sooo scary, and would be kinda funny if it wasn’t so serious. You give your politicians way too much power and credibilitity. Where’s the satire and the mocking of these small men, when they all need their egos pricked? In Australia we dont take our politicians nearly as seriously, and they dont dare make as many arrogant and self-important decisions. Well that’s the way it used to be, unfortunately we’re importing some of the political culture of the US, with less common sense and more selfish, self-serving divisions. In fact, we’ve currently got a piece of legislation almost as specious as your ‘Patriotism Act’ before Parliament. Thankfully it’s not clothed in as much misplaced, righteous and jingoistic rhetoric as your bill is, and should be defeated/amended.
Three cheers for Wil in bringing some alternative viewpoints to light. Remember kids, you dont have to agree with him, all you have to do is think. And to anyone who suggests he leaves the country, god you’re such an idiot, I don’t know what to say. Since when did questioning the government become undemocratic?? Please think a little more, or please, don’t vote, don’t breed.
Oh, and for all of you, the USA ISN’T the worlds greatest democracy. Yeah it’s a pretty good one, it’s up there with the best of them, but your little embarrassment in Florida a little while back made a mockery of that already inaccurate claim.
Well, that’s my morning rant!
You americans are sooo scary, and would be kinda funny if it wasn’t so serious. You give your politicians way too much power and credibilitity. Where’s the satire and the mocking of these small men, when they all need their egos pricked? In Australia we dont take our politicians nearly as seriously, and they dont dare make as many arrogant and self-important decisions. Well that’s the way it used to be, unfortunately we’re importing some of the political culture of the US, with less common sense and more selfish, self-serving divisions. In fact, we’ve currently got a piece of legislation almost as specious as your ‘Patriotism Act’ before Parliament. Thankfully it’s not clothed in as much misplaced, righteous and jingoistic rhetoric as your bill is, and should be defeated/amended.
Three cheers for Wil in bringing some alternative viewpoints to light. Remember kids, you dont have to agree with him, all you have to do is think. And to anyone who suggests he leaves the country, god you’re such an idiot, I don’t know what to say. Since when did questioning the government become undemocratic?? Please think a little more, or please, don’t vote, don’t breed.
Oh, and for all of you, the USA ISN’T the worlds greatest democracy. Yeah it’s a pretty good one, it’s up there with the best of them, but your little embarrassment in Florida a little while back made a mockery of that already inaccurate claim.
Well, that’s my morning rant!
Wil (and fellow readers),
As you can see, there are tons more who support you and your right (or duty) to question our government. Carry on!
I agree with what some of the rest of you have said – it’s not just a Republican thing or a Democract thing, nor a liberal vs. conservative thing – both major parties have their hands in the pockets of major corporation and take their leads not from their constiuents, but from those who write them checks. Neither are looking out for our interests – just the interests of those who already have money and power.
It’s time We The People recognize the power we have and rescue it from their grips. Seriously consider voting for your local and national candidates who represent third parties or are running independantly. Take the time to investigate issues yourselves, become knowledgable, write your congresspeople, senators, and local politicians and let them know how you feel about these issues. You can see by the support here that there are MANY MANY people who feel the same way you do. If we all shared that with our “public servants” perhaps they’d start to listen.
Also – vote with your pocketbook. Become aware of the corporations that are behind the products you buy and the services you use. Invest responsibly in corporations that show they care about more than lining their own pockets.
Sorry if that’s preachy. Just wanted to add some constructive advice for those of you looking for a way to ACT on your opinions.
Thanks! (and thanks, Wil, for a fun and interesting site!)
Oops, silly me, I didn’t mean to post twice, obviously. And I’m not trying to impersonate Uncle Willy, he just happens to have taken my name. Hey, I’m older than him by a couple of months, his mum was the copycat!
Wil for president!
amen to your friends comments…sometimes we americans forget that’s it’s our job to make this democracy work…after all we elect these people! and if we don’t like what’s going on we gotta say so!…and not only that…we gotta tell ’em what we do want! and if they don’t deliver…get behind someone else…or run yourself!…and now in regard to pacman…i seem to remember a pacman saturday morning cartoon back in the 80’s…it was not as entertaining as some of the other 80’s classics…”silverhawks” and “thundercats”……d. burr
I totally concur with what Barry had to say…very wise!
I’ve always believed that one should vote in ALL elections, no matter how big OR small. This goes for local, state and federal. And, I’ve also believed that if one chooses NOT to vote, then one has no right to gripe. Apathy gets one no where…
My 2 cents,
Oh…and Wil? You’re still okay in my book, even though we may not see eye-to-eye on politics…I really enjoy your stories about your life. I think alot of people can relate…you make it easy. 😮 )
Take care,
Wil, it takes a lot of courage and love of country to stand up, as you have done, and question what’s going on. Readers who turn your posts into a pesonal thing are probably the same ones that think Wesley was a real person. Be above it and keep going.
Good, constructive thoughts from Barry. My vote is the most important thing I’ve got…and I’m going to be a lot more careful how I use it in the future.
Wil,
We like your web site, but don’t turn it into a political soapbox. The fact is your beliefs are in the minority. Whether that’s due to the fact that you’re a Lakers fan, that you have spent a lot of time near or in Hollyweird, or whatever, that’s OK. It’s a free country. Just don’t make it a daily theme.
Phred
Hey all. I have never been to this site before. I have to say that I love the site and find it awesome that Wil himself actually runs it because I have often wondered why more famous people did not share their own thoughts and instead let his or her image be manufactured. I am writing to inquire about Wil’s statement: “I’m upset lately, because I see the current administration trying desperately to unravel those checks and balances, and most people seem to be just fine with that.” I am wondering what this is in reference to. I try to stay up on what is going on in the world and with our country, but I honestly didn’t know that there was corruption with how things are going in the country now. This post by Wil got a lot of support, so I am hoping someone out there will shed a little light for me on these views. This is not a trap for political arguement, just honest inquiry.
phred since when do u tell wil what to put on his site? Go read other sites if you don’t like what this one says.
Your friend is a thinker. Unfortunately, people like that are reviled these days. The whole system is designed to reward idiot sons of idiot sons, and pretty soon the only literature you’ll be able to buy with your fat $300 refund check is the Bible. But don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll be heavily edited so even a moron can draw a wrong conclusion from it…
You go, Wil! ^_^
Those folks who say, “If you don’t like it, leave. . .” remind me of people who have said the same thing to me and my younger Catholic friends : “If you keep beefing about the Church, why don’t you stop being a Catholic?”
Our answer is that (a) we like being Catholic, (b) we respect the basic tenets of the Church, and (c) no *way* are we going to let narrow-minded, stubborn, and fuddy-duddy clergy and laity drive us away from our faith.
It’s the same thing with one’s country. Heck, I rant and rave about the lunacies perpetrated by my government; but there’s no other place in the world that I would rather call home than the Philippines. Reform can be accomplished from within, all it needs is discipline, political will and the guts to accept the consequences of trying to what’s right.
But dear Lord, the things you have to go through to win even one inch of progress in the world today. . .!!
Don’t let the bastards get to you, Wil. That’s the sort of intimidation that brought the Shrub into power.
Wil,
A while back, when I was in the Navy, I was one who lived by the “love it or leave it” motto. I still believe that BUT I know now that it isn’t wise to have blind faith in the powers that be. It isn’t always possible to question this Country’s leaders while in the military but IT IS EVERY CIVILIANS DUTY to ask WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and WHY!
While I do not always agree with your politics, I for one, never doubted your love of Country or your Patriotism. If you didn’t love you Country or didn’t care for what was going on in the world that we are involved in, I do not think that you would be posting your thoughts or feelings here. I do think you are a Patriot for giving a damn and for trying to do something about what you think isn’t right.
Don’t let the bastards get you down Wil. Shrug it off. Keep your head up and keep fighting for what you believe in!!
Wil, I certainly hope that you did not go mad and start blocking some of the more vocal opponents against you views from your website. I’ve noticed a unusual number of pro-liberal posts in this Comments section as opposed to previous ones and I have to say, I’m a little disturbed by it.
I’m not as vocal as some of the other conservative leaners, nor do I lean that much most of the time, but I saw the issue regarding the university speech as being something that the school had every right to control. It took place on the campus and from what I remember about college, we would get seriously reprimanded for causing trouble or insulting visiting officials such as these students had planned.
Now I agree that you have the right to ban anyone you want from your website, but if you did so, did you not take away their rights to free speech? It’s kinda hard to turn you back on someone on the Internet, so vocalization is really the only alternative. I’m just hoping the others with similar views as myself have not been booted for making waves. I would be very disappointed in you personally if this turns out to be true.
BTW – I realize that many of them resorted to name-calling and insults, but some of the liberal posters did so also. I do not condone any form of personal insult or slander as it gets people no where. I just hope that you didn’t pick and choose based on who did or did not agree with your opinion.
Wil, I’m not even certain you’ll read this, although I hope you will.
I write an online journal myself, and I can only recommend, as strongly as I possibly can, that you not let others’ views influence your voice here. People go to your journal because they find your writing, your journal, of interest — not just because of your celebrity status. That celebrity may be why many come initially, but what makes readers return is an admiration of your style of expression. That style is enough to singlehandedly turn around many a person’s association of you as only the guy who played that awfully annoying cadet on TNG. Chalk me up as one of them. 🙂
I have found some people’s views expressed in this particular thread rather inducing of anger. I would say, in response and direct contradiction to Phred’s comment, that you should speak whatever you like. This is after all, for Christ’s sake, your JOURNAL. The purpose of your journal isn’t to please the readers, it is to serve as a vehicle for whatever you want to express. And I find Sinkerhawk’s comment both disturbing and comic: that a sudden preponderance of “pro-liberal” comments must automatically equate to behind-the-scenes censorship of conservative views? If that isn’t paranoia, I don’t know what is.
As for your views, I almost hesitate to comment on my own opinion, because political discussion in this country became greatly polarized after the Presidential election of 2000. Yet, I’ll go ahead and say them here: I agree with most everything you’ve said. I DID find myself strongly disagreeing with the article you linked to in The Guardian that compared the New York tragedy to Panama City or Vietnam.
Nevertheless, I too continue to harbor resentment over how George W. Bush became President, simply due to the fact that conservative justices outnumbered by one the liberal justices on the Supreme Court. That is not how the leader of this country ever should have been chosen. It angers me that Bush has been given a lot of ‘street cred’ simply by virtue of being President during one of the worst tragedies of American history. NOT because he handled the situation particularly adeptly, but simply because he was there.
Most importantly, I find greatly alarming the prevalent belief — here and elsewhere — that disagreeing with and criticizing the actions of our President or our country somehow is “wrong.” Such silence is antithetical to the democratic ideals that America actually DOES stands for.
“Absolute power does corrupt, and those who seek it must be suspect and must be opposed. Their mistaken course stems from false notions of equality, ladies and gentlemen. Equality, rightly understood, as our founding fathers understood it, leads to liberty and to the emancipation of creative differences. Wrongly understood, as it has been so tragically in our time, it leads first to conformity and then to despotism.”
Who said that? A guy named Barry Goldwater did, when he accepted the nomination of his party … the REPUBLICAN Party … for the Presidency of the United States.
Gee the politics wander in here too…. hmmm…. well, as for Wil possibly silencing some of the commenters…. See there is that little blue ribben on the right side of his page. I don’t know if he felt as strongly about it as I did when I had it on mine, but everyone deserves a chance to speak. Wil gets the main page because it is his page (and a good one at that), we get the background pages.
I do wish I still had that blue ribbon, I still feel strongly about it, but I like my job. They thought it was too political and asked me to stop, LOL so I abandoned the site, took the words off and left only the ribbon on the old site. 😉 Oh well, everywhere is politics, it has become part of our life.
Speaking of PacMan, we were on the boardwalk in Atlantic City a few days ago and it seems that “they” have now made a slot game out of PacMan. Talk about blasphemy! Yea there were huge banners announcing and proclaiming pacman slots! BAH! They also made a slot game out of The Price is Right. Too ri-goddamn-diculous if you ask me! Also I personally dont like those new slot games which are completely videoized. You know where the spinning things in front of you are not actual circles spinning around but video! Fuck that! I want a real old fashioned one arm bandit! Oh wait was that Bob Dole?! Or GWB in disguise?!
Im sure someone will misinterpret or misunderstand my ramblings and flame me but oh well. 🙂 😉 8-P
You have presented no evidence so far that our rights are being infringed upon by, what I am gathering, having the Bush admin pass laws. The only thing I disagree with is the passing of the terrorist act which waives the requirement of a search warrant in the event someone is accused of being a terrorist. While I am sure the CIA and FBI have been going against the constitution to obtain intelligence information, they should continue to do so in that manner. That is because people will abuse the context of the law and how it was written. Soon, petty theft will be considered acts of terror.
But what you’re suggesting is that we are doing into a dictatorship with Bush as the dictator. Considering there more than 500 people on capital hill preventing that from happening, I don’t know where your bullshit is coming from.
And it’s not like we still don’t have power to vote people out of office. You’re just scared because you think Bush is going to get our hands dirty with foriegn nations. Good. I hope we do. I hope we overthrow China, Iraq, Iran, Saudi, syria, libya, palestine, and France. I hope Tom Dasche dies a slow an painful death. I hope Lieberman dies a slow and painful death that involves him playing video games non stop for 3 days straight without sleep, food, or nurishment. There I am keeping tabs on my government.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
-Thomas Jefferson
My friend maintains a website with liberty quotes:
http://centre.telemanage.ca/
Ok in reply to Hadez:
>While I am sure the CIA and FBI have been going against the constitution to obtain
intelligence information, they should continue to do so in that manner.
>
Until they come for you.
And when they came for me there was no one left to speak for me because I did not speak out at the start.
http://www.hoboes.com/html/FireBlade/Politics/niemoller.shtml
>Considering there more than 500 people on capital hill preventing that from happening,
Youre assuming these people dont want that to happen. That it doesnt further thier own interests or that they have already allowed Bush to become a Defacto dictator but not in the guise of a traditional dictator.
>I don’t know where your bullshit is coming from.
That wasnt nice or an intelligent way of furthering the discussion.
>And it’s not like we still don’t have power to vote people out of office.
What with the recent presidential/SC debacle, we dont have that power anymore if we ever did. We might as well call Bush “El Presidente”. The people dont vote, the electoral college does and they can vote for whoever they want! Also remember that most people dont vote anymore and if they do its for the guy who spends the most on tv advertising. Dont be so naive!
>Good. I hope we do. I hope we overthrow China….and France.
Youve been listening to too much Howard Stern! 🙂
>I hope Tom Dasche dies a slow an painful death.
Again, too much Howard Stern!
Ok my turn: I hope. Period!
Wil,
At a glance, you seem to project the narrow, bitter views of a political participant still
jaded over an emotional election. But with all that has happened, and with so much controversy over the perceived loss of our freedoms, all I see is someone who has no faith in our political system’s ability to challenge and change over time any mistakes made in the face of adversity. I respect your comments and concerns, but I think they are reactionary at best. I would be interested in knowing how much you censor these responses.
Re: Hadez’ post:
There’s always a silver lining here zmax –he says that “I hope we overthrow China, Iraq, Iran, Saudi, syria, libya, palestine, and France.”
He considers Palestine a sovereign nation! If more people of the right-wing persuasion felt this way, we would have a chance of pressuring our government to encourage the parties to find a peaceful solution, rather than deny the existence of a Palestinian state.
Tom Tomorrow’s This Modern World features John Ashcroft addressing the issue of Padilla and those who are “unpatriotic.”
http://salon.com/comics/tomo/2002/06/17/tomo/index.html
>>>
To the contrary. I am a regular visitor of WWDN. Wil asked me to look at an article, I did. Wil asked me to look at his thoughts and opinions. I did. I disagree with Wil’s opinions, so I should take the time to write down why I disagree and explain my own feelings. Then, Wil should read my feelings and opinions, and think about them, same as I thought about his.
It’s called education. If one is not willing to listen to both sides of an issue, then one can not have a fully formed position themselves.
One of the greatest high school teachers I ever had once asked us to take a piece of paper and write down one environmental issue that we felt very strongly about. After collecting these papers he then advised us that our next job was to write a paper, taking a stance against that which we had just written down. When the assignment was finished I had gained a better understanding of whom was standing on the other side of the fence. In the end we found that we either felt that much stronger about our original opinion, or perhaps we had begun to understand the other side of the issue and changed our own stance.
What is frightening? When I was in university I took a first year poli sci course. On the first day of class the professor announced that all opinions were welcome in class, except opinions that questioned the holocaust. Never let someone tell you that you shouldn’t question what someone else says, or someone else thinks, or something that you read. Asking questions is how we learn.
What is unacceptable is lowering yourself to name calling or rudeness. I saw a lot of rudeness on the board in the last few days, yet I also saw some insightful comments on all sides of the very crooked fence… don’t just post, read…don’t just talk…listen.
As for the Pacman article. Wow! They mentioned Burger Time. I loved Burger Time! Perhaps an informed discussion as to the merits of Burger Time is in order!
Thanks for listening.
aii yaii yaii….the first line of my above post disappeared….
I was writing in response to an above post which said that “Frankly, if people don’t like what you have to say, they don’t have to read your site”…
I hope it doesn’t disappear again….
Poe said,
“And I find Sinkerhawk’s comment both disturbing and comic: that a sudden preponderance of “pro-liberal” comments must automatically equate to behind-the-scenes censorship of conservative views? If that isn’t paranoia, I don’t know what is.”
Even you, Poe, must admit that the ratio of liberal to conservative posts in this Comment Section is much different than in previous ones. You are also hurting your cause by implying that I am a paranoid individual. I would request that you stop using personal attacks to try and get your point across. I never accused Wil of blocking these people, I just said that if he had, I would be disappointed. If he says he did not, then I stand corrected. Considering some of the things that some liberals say that Bush and the people in Washington are doing, I think what I have suggested is well within the range of possibility.
> Even you, Poe, must admit that the ratio of liberal to
> conservative posts in this Comment Section is much
> different than in previous ones.
I don’t agree or disagree with your finding; I only disagree with your suggested reason behind it.
> You are also hurting your cause by implying that I am a
> paranoid individual.
I found your comment paranoid. I don’t know you, so I wouldn’t make that comment about you as a person. As for whether it hurts my “cause”, *shrug*, yet another thing we disagree on.
> I would request that you stop using personal attacks
> to try and get your point across.
I would disagree with your characterization of it as a “personal attack.”
It was neither personal (my remarks was solely limited to the concept you had expressed, not to personal attributes) nor an attack (it was what I feel was courteous yet assertive disagreement).
Sinkerhawk, feel free to continue this discussion with me privately if you feel it necessary. I’d rather not post the e-mail address outright, in this (rather charged) venue, but my name is a link to my website, upon which you can click on a link to my e-mail address.
Re: right wing recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state.
The right wing more than any wing will support Israel because doing so is in line with Biblical Prophecy (especially New Testement) about the coming revelations. So does that mean that supporting Israel is exclusive of supporting a Palestinian state in the region? I dont see why it has to however what goes on in the heads of those congressmen I dont know. It sounds to me like Bush is pushing for a Palistinian state but of course this is an uphill battle.
Re: taking over other countries including France.
Why stop there?! The silver lining is that we can take over the entire earth and this time unlike tyrants in the past, we can actually do it! Actually I think with capitalistic imperialism we have already taken over the world. No need to use force when marketing and sales and hollywood will suffice!
I believe that America is becoming like the Roman Empire and as such is doomed to fall just like it. No Empire has withstood the test of time and America is very young by historic empire standards. Look at Britian and France. Our country is becoming more monetized and corrupt by the day. The gap between the haves and the have nots has increased more dramatically in the last few years. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. This is not a recipie for long term success as a country or an empire.
I hope like many people expressing thier views I am not labeled a traitor or a commie or something! Oh wait just a minute what’s that knock at the door? It’s the FBI, they want me to come with them now. So see you later. Maybe.
Kevin Phillips, author of Wealth and Democracy: A Political History of the American Rich
http://www.theconnection.org/shows/2002/05/20020523_b_main.asp
The Politics Of Wealth
Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and a fat wallet too. The American dream has always included the right to invent or to invest oneself into the well-padded life of the moneyed class. But now, author Kevin Phillips argues, the dream has turned to nightmare, and democracy itself is at risk.
The last twenty years has seen one of the greatest concentrations of wealth in history, and it didn’t happen by accident. Government has been seduced and successfully bedded by corporate interests.
The result is a dangerous love child called Plutocracy and a system that bends over backwards to provide the rich with tax breaks and special concessions, while leaving millions of poor Americans hanging without a safety net. Free markets, free reign, free people?
There are more impingements on your freedom in this country from environmentalist wackos than from the U.S. government trying to fight terrorism. We have two cultures in this country, and thank God for one of them. One part of the country is very serious about the threat we face, and another part of the country is living in the world of Ozzy Osbourne.
This is one of the most serious threats the country has ever faced. Yet, because of the hard work of a number of people, most of us are able to go about our lives as though nothing happened on September 11th.
The people of this country have a tremendous trust that the government is doing what they say they’re doing and that their goals and objectives are legitimate. They’re trying to protect the law-abiding citizens in this country from another attack.
Poe, In order to make a seriously paranoid statement, the person making the statement would have to be paranoid. I did take this as a way to make me into some drooling-mad conservative (which I am not) to make others disregard my position. If this is not what you intended to do, I accept that and apologize. This is just how I percieved it.
This is Wil’s website, he has the right ban opposing views, but I would find it rather hypocritical. Again, I never said that that is what he did. I was only asking him if this was the case. I’m not at all mad or upset, I just thought it was rather odd.
As to emailing you directly, I don’t see why this is necessary. I am asking Wil an honest question and I feel like your giving me the third degree about it. I believe I’ve been very open, honest, and polite about this situation and hope I can get the same in return. I would greatly appreciate it.
Wil, here’s an idea – go up to one of the widows of 9-11, or maybe one of the children that lost one or both of their parents and say, “So sorry, but you should feel better knowing that not one terrorist’s rights was violated to prevent this disaster”
I’m sure they would be very grateful to hear that…
Wil,
You most definately have the right, and the obligation to question your government. Without constant analysis and adaptation, nothing can advance, and when countries fail to adapt they fall.
I liked zmax’s comment about the US being like the Roman Empire. As a Classical Historian and a Canadian (having an outside view of these events), the analogy is a very good one. The Romans were powerful, more so than any other civilization of their time – there is no doubt of the USA’s military and cultural supremacy. The Romans felt that it was their right to control the world, and while America may not feel exactly the same, there is a feeling of obligation to police the world. (however noble or ignoble that may be). But, Rome did fall, in part due to corruption from within.
Perhaps I am a cynic, and perhaps I am paranoid, but how do we *know* what happens outside our doors? We have no choice but to trust the media, sources unavoidably biased in any situation. If the media collectively decides to lie about something, we have no way of knowing about it unless someone admits to it. Think about it. They colour our thoughts and opinions without most people even knowing it. I would be willing to put a small wager that many of Wil’s opponents were opponents because of their unwavering belief in the things that they have heard as the truth.
The Bush administration has scared me from early on in his electoral campaign – ever since I heard that he believed our Prime Minister was named after a French-Canadian french fry dish (Jean Poutine). And we’re your neighbours! In interviews he repeatedly failed to identify foreign leaders. THAT is scary for the leader of the most powerful country in the world. Perhaps it is my own bias that causes me little surprise when laws are passed to negate people’s freedoms in the name of fighting terrorism. Again and again I have feared for your country and the world. If you who believe he is not keeping the best interests of America at heart speak up, things like this can, and will, be stopped. Terrorism will be stopped, whether by military action or by eventual changes in foreign policy.
And Wil? If you ever decide you’re sick of people telling you to move and you give in, consider Canada. Same freedoms, similar culture, prettier money, more laid-back attitude, and a government who can’t threaten to take away any of our rights without widespread public furor.
::sips antacid::
Ok.
I have read the seemingly endless posts here accusing others of trying to supress Wil’s right to “question the government”. Let me say this clearly: No one posting here is telling Wil he doesn’t have a right to question what actions our government has taken. Everyone has the right to question their government – it is very necessary to check and rethnk what the US is doing.
But let me ask you this; when do you reach a resolution? When do you stop questioning the government out of habit, think about all sides of an issue, and come to an answer whether or not our government’s actions are justified? Why is no one taking a firm stance and stating clearly exactly what they think the government is doing wrong, and their reasons for believing it? Why has almost no one offered their ideas for a realistic alternative to the war on terrorism?
It seems that before you come out to question the government, sit down and carefully think if the benfits outweight the sacrifices. All I see is a whole lot of criticism and questions but few reasons, answers, and solutions.
People here seem to be focusing so much on the issue of Wil’s “right to question” while spending less time weighing the benefits, downsides, and necessities of the war on terrorism.
It seems to me that questioning someone’s actions or policies feels weak unless you can offer solid answers and solutions of your own to the problem we all face together.
Seems to me that Thomas Jefferson said something to that effect, that it was the responsibility of every citizen to watch over the government to ensure our leaders stay honest and never get too much power.
Wil I forgot to add something. I have been reading your site for a while now and I really like the things you have to say. When you bare your soul like this others will undoubtably use it against you. I think you need to take a page from a Tom Cruise movie. Yes I know but I remember how liberating it was when I learned to use this attitude in my life. Just say to yourself “What the fuck!” What the fuck is very liberating. It lets you not care so much about what the idiots of the world say about you. Personally, I liked Wesley, thought dodgeball was shitty, admire you for loving your step kids, and applaud you for standing up for what you believe. So for those who think you are wrong or unAmerican for stating your opinions, what the fuck.
> In order to make a seriously paranoid statement, the
> person making the statement would have to be paranoid.
Your words, not mine; your assumption, not mine; your beliefs, not mine.
> I did take this as a way to make me into some drooling-
> mad conservative (which I am not) to make others disregard
> my position.
Your words, not mine; your assumption, not mine; your beliefs, not mine.
> This is Wil’s website, he has the right [to] ban opposing
> views, but I would find it rather hypocritical. Again, I
> never said that that is what he did.
It’s a fairly serious charge to levy even in the hypothetical. It’s like someone saying, “Wil, if you molest your kids, it’s a bad thing.” You want to blink, shake your head, and look at the person and say, “Why the fuck would you say that? Even in the hypothetical?”
> As to emailing you directly, I don’t see why this is necessary.
To take prolonged disagreement out of the public arena, where it is often unwelcome.
> I am asking Wil an honest question and I feel like your
You’re.
> giving me the third degree about it.
Well, I’m stating my disagreement about this, because, as I said above, it’s a fairly serious charge to levy even in the hypothetical.
> hope I can get the same in return. I would greatly
> appreciate it.
Frankly, I don’t think I’ve been impolite.
Banning opposing viewpoints = molesting children.
Exactly where are you from?
And I guess you feel very good about yourself pointing out spelling errors. I guess when the arguements run out, you have to grasp for something, right. I have been more than civil to you, but I guess in the real world, people like you really exist.
Seeing that you do not want to continue an intelligent or meaningful conversation, I have nothing further to say to you.
To everyone else, I want to humbly apologize for this entire incident. It is becoming apparent that holding a decent, respectful conversation on this site is just impossible.
Wil, I love ya (in a brotherly soft of way, of course), but this board is getting to be a “basher’s only” party. I will continue to read your main page, but I think I’ll refrain from using you comments section until you can clean out the ruder guests so that we can have a decent discussion.
“I liked zmax’s comment about the US being like the Roman Empire.”
Oh yes it was such an original analogy. I have never heard it before. 😛 Hate to tell you skippy, but if America falls, the world falls. We really hold that much power.
“As a Classical Historian”
Judging by your writing style and lack of original thought, your weekends at Barnes and Noble have been fruitless in becoming a “classical historian”,you fucking hack.
Zmax’s comment comparing the US to ancient Rome may not be original but that doesn’t mean there is no truth to it. Eventually the US will not be as powerful and dominating as it is now. That could happen tomorrow, in 5 years, 100 years or longer. We know this and its been said before. Still, it may not be a bad thing to say it again every so often. Afterall, being more advanced & having so much history to learn from, we can certainly take actions to make that fall hurt a lot less than it hurt past empires/dominating powers. We (as US citizens) also have a hand in determining just how long it will take -as well as how it will happen. We could be arrogant, pompous, self-important asses whose only concern is about ourselves and piss off the rest of the world so much that they come together to kick our asses & take over (one by one we could likely take them, but all at once?). Or, we can stop w/ the megalomaniacal tirades and work w/ the rest of the world and there will be no single dominating nation (I’m working with the idea that other nations also manage to deal w/ their own problems in an intelligent way & are just as willing to work together). The unity idea is possible, although the probability may be questionalbe. It would take generations (sadly, the more violent, more painful & destructive way wouldn’t take so long & the probability may be higher).
As for what will happen to the rest of the world when the US falls -I don’t know. It could be disasterous, especially for those who are too dependent on us (for whatever various reasons that may be) & for those who don’t think about these things. I suppose it depends on how & when the US falls. I also don’t think all other nations are so weak, some are but perhaps Great Britain, other western European nations, Canada would be ok. It depends on the circumstances.
Sometimes I see steps being taken by all the powerful nations working together for the greater good of all people. Again, this is all possible but the probability may be questionable. Its good zmax & others mention this stuff -occassionally- and remind us of possibilities that could become probabilities if we don’t do something now. What that something is, I’m not sure. I’m thinking about it. More importantly, are our leaders thinking about it?
I read on Op-Ed article in the NY Times, something a friend pointed out to me. I read it & thought it was interesting, here is a link to that article, please read it -the rest of my post won’t make much sense if you don’t (warning, the writer’s bias is obvious, some may not like his 1st sentence, when he says the Bush administration, one could easily say the Reagan, Bush 1 or Clinton admin, too, just please look beyond that to the important part of the article) http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/18/opinion/18KRIS.html
One of my 1st thoughts was that ratifying the treaty the article discusses is ONE of the VARIOUS alternative methods to “fight” terrorist. I’m not going to spell out how that will work, please read the article and no matter if one is a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green or Progressive, if you think about it, you will understand. Again, its ONE thing, maybe you might think its a very small thing but its still something.
BTW: I’m not saying there is no place or time for military action in presenting this alternative. It would be better if we (the whole world) could get things done w/o wars, battles & such. Unfortunately its not so. Even w/ treaties such as that discussed in the NYTimes article, military action my occassionally be necessary to enforce such treaties/laws. There are legitimate concerns regarding how much force, when to use it, who specifically against, does it go too far, when does it stop, is there another way before we send in the soldiers, are we in fact breaking the laws we intend to enforce, if so can we go about this a different way so we don’t have to act hypocritically, what are the consequences at home & abroad?
And, Wil, I’m sorry to hear that some have emailed you saying ridiculous things like “love it or leave it”. Please don’t be discouraged by such things.
Wil,
First of all the “love it or leave it” mentality is laughable considering that you are practicing your right to free speech. Why some people can’t accept that you can disagree with the current (or any) administration is sad. For the record I have had problems with every administration that has been around during my lifetime, but this one is the most frightening because we have a president who has been granted vast, sweeping powers via the Emergency Powers Act. Sure the war on terrorism is serious, but tossing out our values and our rights to “win” is self defeating. What’s left to defend when its all been done away with?
A poster above stated that nobody is thinking about better options for the war on some terrorists. I say some because we are only after the ones that have upset us. If we really wanted to end terrorism we would cut off all their suppliers and prevent them all from buying weapons. This means Russia and France and the US need to stop selling weapons to any and all of the combatants in the region. If we really truly wanted peace we would stop supporting Israel and get out of the middle east. Let them fight their jihads, just leave us out. We have always propped up Israel as “the good guys” when they are as vicious and brutal as the Palestinians. Jenim comes to mind, and so does the attack on the USS Liberty, an american intelligence gathering ship that was attacked without provocation by Israel during the six days war. Guess they didn’t want anyone knowing just what they were doing with the guns, tanks and planes we sold and gave to them huh? Good guys my ass. I honestly do not think that any of the nations in that region are worth the lives lost on 9-11. I don’t think they’re worth any more american lives either.
Speaking of 9-11, I blame our government for the deaths of those people as much as I blame the terrorists themselves. Although I don’t think the full truth as to how much informaton was neglected to be acted upon will ever come out, I will never be able to rid myself of the feeling that if the FBI, CIA, and NSA did their jobs properly instead of in their usual short sighted and bumbling manner then 9-11 could have been prevented or at least minimized. But, well never know. After all we will probably never hear any more about the phoenix memo or the intercepted transmissions or the reluctance of one agency to fully disclose information to another agency because (a) the hearings are behind closed doors (b) a former CIA director is heading up the investigation and (c) everybody got all up in arms over the “dirty bomb” suspect, who was apprehended well over a month ago, yet pops up at this time as “breaking news”. Nice red herring. It looks to me like the USA Patriot bill and all the other edicts issued forth from Homeland Defense and the Justice Department aren’t really necessary if only they did their jobs right the first time. Our lack of vigilance as a people have led us straight into this situation. I have so much more to say on the issue, especially concerning where I feel we went wrong concerning the Middle East in the first place but I don’t have time to get into it right now. Always question, it is more than your right it is your responsibility as a citizen and as a taxpayer. I would say we can change it all during the next election, but the last one left me questioning the effectiveness of trying to “rock the vote”. Besides if Dubya wants to call off the next election because of the current state of emergency he can thanks to the Emergency Powers Act.