fifteen-year-old

STOP SLANDERING FIFTEEN YEAR OLDS!

My daughter is fifteen and has more maturity and intelligence than any of the mooks in this administration.

I think you may mean toddlers. Although, to be fair to toddlers….. man, I see the dilemma!

Texas Betsy @ 110

cleter @ 104

paolo @102
Who do you see see coming into office as the next president or the president after that who will not use the product of George Bush’s recklessness? Who, in short, will willingly give up the power that Bush has usurped for himself and will bequeath to his successors?

Gore

What was the context?

I was answering Paolo’s question. I would trust Gore to restore the balance of power. George Washington had the sense to step down after two terms, to put some non-kingly limits on presidential power. I think Gore, and probably Gore alone, has the stature to do that now, in our current situation. Having been screwed by Bush in 2000, I think electing Gore in 2008 would be a powerful symbol of reconciliation, and America coming to it’s senses. And I think Gore may kind of recognize that.

I agree with this assessment. The country needs a rock solid personality with rock solid credentials, and rock solid feet planted on rock solid ground. Did I mention that we need the Rock of Gibraltar?

Not wannabees (and certainly not corporatists and war profiteer shills). We want THE ROCK. He even looks like a rock–kind of square-built.

Significantly, his analysis of THE PROBLEM–as revealed in a magnificent series of speeches over the last several years–hits home in a way no other potential or actual candidate has done (except maybe Gravel, in the recent debate, with his remarks on the “military-industrial complex,” and Kucinich at times–but neither is THE ROCK, and that’s a fact).

The most telling Gore speech was on torture. “How dare they?!” he said. “How dare they?!” It was like God speaking. It was wonderful. It brought tears to my eyes. “How dare they?!”

He’s the man.

Now if we can just insure vote counting that everyone can see and understand, I think we can, a) undo much of the harm (except for the dead and wounded), and b) save our country and our planet.

It’s up to us, really, not to any “knight in shining armor.” But, at this point, considering the stakes, we probably need both.

The Bush Junta has done us one favor. They have peeled the scales from many, many eyes about the “military-industrial complex” and our global corporate predator rulers, and galvanized the public to outvote the machines in ‘06. Bush may go down in history as the “great eye opener.”

I hope that the air of rebellion in the country coincides with the rise of a great president. But if not, we will just have to deal with it. Democracy is made in the towns and cities, at the grass roots level, not in Washington DC. I have great faith in the American people. Always have. We are re-creating this democracy from the bottom up, already. And we will eventually compel our leaders in Washington DC to act in our interest. Priority #1: restore transparent vote counting. Without it, real reform is not possible.

The Ozymandias/Bush imagery will stay w/me for quite a while-so apt. When the Ed Keinholz Retrospective was @ the Museum of Contemporary Art here several yrs. ago the first work of Ed’s you saw coming in the door was “The Ozymandias Parade,” a startling & eerie piece that’s a real companion to your post, PW (the photos & write up below can’t really convey this work’s impact:

The Ozymandias Parade
The Ozymandias Parade-Detail

“One of the most imposing pieces is the Ozymandias Parade. The title is taken from Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem in 1817, Ozymandias, the powerful “king of kings”, whose ancient empire, lying in ruins in the desert sands, is found by a traveller. This tableau is a collaborative mixed media effort made in 1985. It is an enormous arrow-shaped float, illuminated on all sides by red, white and blue flashing light bulbs. On top are several horses, ridden by blindfolded generals, one riding backwards, the other beneath the rearing horse while speaking into a phone that dangles from his wrist, and another rides a skeletal, half crippled woman, who symbolises the cost of war borne by society. The general dangles a stick in front of her face, from which hang several religious symbols of different faiths. Suitcases full of money, ships with dead toy soldiers, boatloads of toy guns and a pork barrel decorated with pig’s snouts are scattered at the base of the huge horses.

Surrounding this grotesque and eerie spectacle are figures representative of the third world and those with less political influence. There are also individuals from the Stone Age and ancient civilisations, all watching on the sidelines, surrounded by flags from around the world. The whole world is involved, either looking on, or hoping to accompany the more powerful and belligerent, yet ridiculous-looking, imperialist forces. A flag, usually that of the country hosting the exhibition, is kept waving by a fan attached to the mast. The artificiality of contrived nationalism for the purpose of war seems to be the main point. Military marching band music plays incessantly, giving the whole installation a sense of menacing, unrelenting madness.”

hmmm! Minutes before I read this I was pondering what sort of people make up a Republican Party that has given us Nixon and Bush within a few years of each other. Assuming that our Nation is saved, but only just, once again, I think that I see fewer Republicans prepared to stand up for Nation before Party this time.

Those would be the ones looking over their shoulders and speed dialing lawyers?

Is is possible Abramnoff is in protective custody whereever he may be?

mhpcr @
300

It’s unconscionable that you think that this child will survive the problematic teenaged-years.

I disagree. It sounds like she has a great support system around her, that has her confidence. They do need to exercise due diligence, but she cannot be shielded from all adults as you seem to want. What she needs is not a shield, but guides, and she seems to have those.

Bob in HI

Thank you Bob.

It’s unconscionable that you think that this child will survive the problematic teenaged-years.

I disagree. It sounds like she has a great support system around her, that has her confidence. They do need to exercise due diligence, but she cannot be shielded from all adults as you seem to want. What she needs is not a shield, but guides, and she seems to have those.

Bob in HI