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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

What's The @$%^#& Big Deal, Anyway?

Americans have a tendency to get worked up over nothing. And, as Santayana warned, we seemed to be doomed to repeat that stupid lather. Lather - Rinse - Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Examples of past moronics (which no doubt will, and in some cases already have, come back):

1. "News" about razor blades in apples distributed to trick-or-treaters at Halloween. (early '80s).
   
   It turned out to be an isolated incident, followed by a few copycats.
   
   
2. Epidemic of shark attacks. (2002).
   
   This was no more than an epidemic of news attacks - much ado about nothing. Actual shark attack statistics showed no significant change. It's the sort of thing that helps tabloid 'news' papers and FAKES NEWS radio and TV thrive.
   
   
3. Y2K. (Y2K).
   
   BFD.
   
   
4. Global Warming. (Continuously since 1970s).
   
   The real phenomenon is complicated by a lot of hot air from businesses that don't want to be held accountable for past, present, and future pollution - and the right-wingers paid by those same corporations to deny science and obfuscate the issues. It is actually Global Climate Change - in which
   
   
   1. some parts of the planet will experience net average temperature increases.
      
      
   2. some parts of the planet will experience net average temperature decreases.
      
      
   3. the overall trend and major meteorological impact for the entire planet will be net average temperature increases.
      
      
   4. the results will be - to life as we know it - catastrophic.
      
      
5. Hyperinflation. (Every time that Republicans lose their grip on the reins of economic power).
   
   This is another right-wing fantasy. Hyperinflation has occurred in countries that had poor economic policies and suffered social upheavals. Examples include the European countries that lost major wars - and were left by the victors to flounder. These scare stories are spread to frighten people into agreeing to destructive national economic policies - policies which will benefit the wealthy at the expense of everyone who is not wealthy. Interestingly, the warning signs always appear after long periods of Repubnican control of the economy.
   
   
6. Reagan Democrats. (1980 - 2006).
   
   OK, that one stuck around for more than a generation, and set back progress - scientific, social, economic - by more than a generation. I don't want to frighten anyone, but that one will return as long as Americans will fall for the BS from anyone (or any communications medium) that appeals to their basest fears .... just like today (see Faux News).
   
   
7. Vaccinations cause Autism. Fluoridated water poisons people. Polio, measles, diphtheria, mumps, and smallpox mysteriously went away in countries where there is universal vaccination. Lack of religious fanaticism causes social decay. (Slippery, virus-like mutations since the beginning of time).
   
   Like 'global baloney', teabagging, 'birth certificate BS, and such - these appeal to people who love to hate reality.
   
   
8. Universal Health Care is socialism and will turn our nation's people into a bunch of commie-pinko-fag-junkies. (1930s, 1960s, double-oughts [this decade]).
   
   And how is UHC different from Medicare? Universal Health Care for Geezers, which because of its political appeal, is a sacred American tradition that the Founding Fathers favored (note the sarcasm). Medicare will remain sacred as long as seniors vote. UHC will remain the end of life as we know it until it is allowed - and succeeds spectacularly, just as has Medicare .... and then as long as humans vote.
   
   
9. Swine flu. (1976).
   
   It turned out to be no big deal. No, wait.

There are hundreds, nay thousands, more examples. Feel free to write me about the many, many more BFDs that have been imposed on people who actually think and use reason as a basis for learning and acting.

posted by Recovering Republican® © ™  # 12:28 AM

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