JR Lowell:"He who is firmly seated in authority, soon comes to think that security, and not progress, is the highest lesson of statecraft." In the case of Bush the reason is obvious; he has not had any idea of what progress is. And if Unity 08 is going to find anyone to beat Hillary, it will have to find someone who understands progress. To do *that*, they must be able to consider positions outside the framework of the partisan group think now in place.
Most of what passes for debate, both in the postings and the media, is not intended to persuade, but to motivate greater zeal on the part of already persuaded partisans. There is no effort to look for new positions in the common ground, only new weapons to defend the intellectual turf already claimed. You cant run a republic that way, but its always worked pretty well for tyrannies.
Dr. Freud noted that neurosis cannot tolerate ambiguity; thus the partisan debates are carried on as if no promoted policy has a downside. Dr. Freud noted that because neurotics cannot tolerate ambiguity, there is a rush to judgment, rather than the patient collection of more facts. We see this in the 911 threads, where the commission felt the pressure get a report out quickly to the public, but failed to deal with all the questions that some people had, and failed to carefully examine witnesses, testimony, and evidence. The result is the ongoing controversy, which none of the current candidates will discuss. Dr. Freud noted how neurotics, after having jumped to a conclusion will show remarkable innovation in explaining to themselves why their faith in delusion continues.
If they were not neurotic in the first place, but more willing to let their judgment wait until they had more facts, then we would not now be living in the Untied States of Denial with the entire future of the economy and union in the balance. But they are as they are. We've seen the consistent slide in academic performance in the schools; why would we not expect this to be reflected in the lack of judgment now in the electorate?
Or- in the failure of leadership to understand what progress is? For instance progress would be the installation of fertility clinics outside every military base so that soldiers can deposit eggs and sperm before risking their lives in the service of the nation. We know there are civilian women who would gladly go to these clinics to receive DNA from the fallen, and thereby provide the mothers of the soldiers, not only with a flag, but *grandchildren*. Who would receive full VA benefits given to the women who give birth to them.
Why didnt Hillary think of this? because she is smart, but lacks the imagination. If Unity 08 can find a candidate who can come forth with innovative proposals like this, then they can win in 08. If not, then not.
THIS IS - SHOULD BE NO MORE AFTER 2024, this is the 21st Century - not the dark ages of 13 Nations Under God, we've blossomed into a Society of 50 Nations each with its own laws and agendas - draining the life out of its present day slaves ..
We hire the least qualified to manage our lives and our money - because they have the backing of money and support from special interests, and we turn them loose in DC with NO STRINGS ATTACHED TO MAKE SURE WE GET OUR MONIES WORTH .. FREUD WOULD HAVE CALLED THAT A MADNESS BORN OF IGNORANCE OF HUMAN NATURE !!
2008 IS THE CROSS ROADS - we either Select and Elect Candidates Whose Hearts and Minds ARE ON THE FUTURE OF AMERICA - NOT THE PAST, people who dont care WHAT IS - people who only care WHAT CAN BE and are Willing To Make It So !!
Please Daybrown, click on www.america-21stcentury.com, and learn about the AGENDA I've proposed for UNITY08, then if you agree - help me convince our fellow Delegates and the Founders Council - that I'm on the right track.
Pete(popo)evans
Thanx for the link - http://www.america-21stcentury.com Pete. I appreciate your passion, but also the polite discourse. But I think we've moved beyond the point where rational discourse will be effective with the voters. They are too neurotic. I've laid out what I know of the developmental neurology, and the pathology that results from raising kids on sugar cereals, junkfood, and soda. Some of us grew up to be rational anyway, but a majority no longer is, and rational policy proposals cant get the mandate.
If you want honesty in government, would you support the use of FMRI brain scans, electroencephalograms, or high speed high definition video of facial muscles using the techniques outlined by Dr. Paul Ekman (http://www.paulekman.com) to determine which candidates and appointees are honest enuf to serve the public interest?
Would you like to see a new 911 commission use these tools to determine what happened?
Why do you spoze, that in the name of national security, they want to use something as obsolete as torture, when these new lie detection technologies are so much more reliable?
The last time a Great Nation wore its faith on its sleeve, it was a swastika.
Here's some imagination for you: let's build a huge fence between Iraq and Iran and shoot anyone who tries to cross from the latter over into the former.
Oh, that's right... we've been too lazy to even do this on our own border, let alone someone else's.
What we need is a combination of man power, technologies and fences with man power being the key to making a difference.
Betty
Like the new lie detection technologies? Torture is obsolete.