Sunday, October 31, 2004
Halloween 2004 - Eek! Return of the Compassionate Conservative
Although some polls continue to show the race as a "tie", indications are that George W. Bush, pseudo cowboy from Crawford,TX, would win a second term on electoral college votes. The "Compassion" went out of the window soon after inaugration.
His "core support groups" would be delighted at the prospect of receiving the bounties of his administration for four more years. They consist mainly of:
The fearful. He has assiduously courted them since 9/11; they see terrorists lurking around corners and Bush as the protector.
The jingoists. We are No.1 and we are always right.
The patriots. Not all but some of them can be called "jingoists". Others might have some doubts but, in general, feel unable to believe that the president took the nation to war on lies.
The Religious Right (includes pro-lifers and homophoebes): Have found a champion in the incumbent and, of course, wish to see him continue in his merry way to destroy the barrier between church and state.
The high tax bracket crowd: They have been laughing their way to the bank and know that they will benefit in the second term regardless of the state of the economy.
And, then, there is Mr. Nader.
What the rest of us can look forward to from Bush's second term? More of what took
place in the past four years but with added ferocity that will drive the agenda to deprive the Democrats of a voice and to lay the foundation of one-party rule.
"Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd."
----Bertrand Russell
Fall and its rewards
On a lighter vein, it was a gorgeous autumn day. The sky not quite crystal clear but
it was blue; the sun shone brightly. Noticed that on one side of the street the leaves of the gingko trees have turned yellow, but on the other side they are still mostly green!
Hiked at Saratoga Gap for four hours. A good, scenic trail. Would have been better
without the mountain bikers but they have the right to be out on the trails just as we do. Most of them are considerate and careful about hikers.
I was late with planting of bulbs (daffodil and iris). Hope they will emerge and bloom.
"I don't have to be anyone but me.
I am blooming as I am in my life, just as
a peony blooms on a peony tree.
Further, a beautiful peony flower does not
worry about when it will wilt and fall to the ground.
It does not compete with the flower next to it;
rather it blooms with its whole self.
----Sensie Ogui
from "Zen Shin Talks"
His "core support groups" would be delighted at the prospect of receiving the bounties of his administration for four more years. They consist mainly of:
The fearful. He has assiduously courted them since 9/11; they see terrorists lurking around corners and Bush as the protector.
The jingoists. We are No.1 and we are always right.
The patriots. Not all but some of them can be called "jingoists". Others might have some doubts but, in general, feel unable to believe that the president took the nation to war on lies.
The Religious Right (includes pro-lifers and homophoebes): Have found a champion in the incumbent and, of course, wish to see him continue in his merry way to destroy the barrier between church and state.
The high tax bracket crowd: They have been laughing their way to the bank and know that they will benefit in the second term regardless of the state of the economy.
And, then, there is Mr. Nader.
What the rest of us can look forward to from Bush's second term? More of what took
place in the past four years but with added ferocity that will drive the agenda to deprive the Democrats of a voice and to lay the foundation of one-party rule.
"Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd."
----Bertrand Russell
Fall and its rewards
On a lighter vein, it was a gorgeous autumn day. The sky not quite crystal clear but
it was blue; the sun shone brightly. Noticed that on one side of the street the leaves of the gingko trees have turned yellow, but on the other side they are still mostly green!
Hiked at Saratoga Gap for four hours. A good, scenic trail. Would have been better
without the mountain bikers but they have the right to be out on the trails just as we do. Most of them are considerate and careful about hikers.
I was late with planting of bulbs (daffodil and iris). Hope they will emerge and bloom.
"I don't have to be anyone but me.
I am blooming as I am in my life, just as
a peony blooms on a peony tree.
Further, a beautiful peony flower does not
worry about when it will wilt and fall to the ground.
It does not compete with the flower next to it;
rather it blooms with its whole self.
----Sensie Ogui
from "Zen Shin Talks"
