To Build a Fire
One of the best short stories I read during grammar school was Jack London’s “To Build a Fire”. The story recounts the struggle of a Yukon prospector hiking through the wilderness in sub-zero cold. The unnamed prospector falls through a thin layer of ice covering a spring fed pool of water. Though he was wet only up to his knees if he failed to dry his boots and socks, frost bite would quickly overcome him. Frost bitten feet in sub-zero temperatures would cripple the prospector making it impossible for him to continue his journey to the warmth and safety of a lodge just a few miles away. If the prospector was unable to continue he would freeze to death. His only chance was to build a fire so he could dry his socks and boots before he could resume his journey. To build a fire was the difference between life and death.
I was reminded of this story this past weekend while participating in a Matt Talbot Retreat. Matt Talbot is a non-denominational spiritual wellness movement for people in recovery. It advocates the practice of The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as a suggested program of recovery. Matt Talbot is a blessing for many people experiencing the grace of recovery. AA teaches us that alcoholism is a disease and that alcoholics and addicts suffer a sickness that afflicts our mind, body and spirit. The Matt Talbot Movement places an emphasis on the spiritual dimensions of our disease. We attend seminars and meetings. We enjoy fellowship with our brothers in recovery. We make new friends with others suffering from a common malady and we reconnect with other Matt Talbot brothers we have not seen since our last retreat. The biannual retreat is a special weekend that allows us to nourish and recharge the spiritual batteries that become so dangerously low by the emotional and mental demands of modern life. For many of us, Matt Talbot is a critical cornerstone of our recovery program. It is a critical tool that helps us to free ourselves from the spiritual bondage of addiction. It encourages us to draw closer to our Higher Power; thereby moving us further away from the emotional and mental shackles that threaten to enslave us.
On Saturday evening after the days sessions and nonstop witnessing and ministering to one another about our personal journey of recovery, many of the brothers assemble on the banks of the Hudson River for a traditional Saturday night bonfire. On this moonless night the huge bonfire provided a striking contrast to the black woods that enveloped us. Like our hopes for continued recovery, the dancing flames soared into the night air expressing a sincere yearning to touch the massive hardwood boughs that towered above us. We closed in on the fire remaining transfixed by the unbounded flames and the fleeting shadows of quickly passing apparitions. We were a band of wounded brothers drawn to a lamp of hope we desperately needed to navigate the uncertain dangers posed by the swift dark waters of addiction.
At the bonfire we are encouraged to choose a log to place in the the fire. But before we can burn that log we must stand before our brothers and make a statement about a resentment, misgiving or fear that threatens our recovery. As we say in AA, holding onto a resentment will lead you back to a drink. Naming our fears and resentments is our first step toward conquering them. The brothers spoke of the ugly compulsions that drive our addictions; revealing painful truths about low self esteem, victimization, unbridled anger, tragic circumstance, sexual and emotional abuse, violence, poverty and ignorance and other issues that led to unfathomable depths of guilt and shame. As alcoholics and addicts we let these things have power over us and in so doing we feed our alcoholic and addictive behaviors. Standing within a circle of trusted brothers, divulging secrets that have long held our soul captive and conferring bitter resentments and raging fears onto a log truly liberates the soul. It is a critical step in the recovery process and spiritual wellness. The giant bonfire is a life affirming tool that allows us to cast out these powerful demons, condemn them to death by fire and happily witness their power over us dissipate as they burn away into a pile of harmless ashes.
In Jack London’s story after the prospector fell through the ice he quickly moved to build a fire. He moved under the protection of a tree, found some dry leaves and small wood chips and started a fire. He was relieved that the fire caught and grew but a wind kicked up and blew snow off a pine tree and crushed his fire under a pile of snow. It was a unfortunate event that would cost the prospector his life. As the prospector began to accept his sad fate he remembered the advise of an old timer who warned him about traveling through the Yukon. “Never travel alone” said the old timer. As the prospector lay freezing to death, he realized the hard truth of the old timers wisdom.
When it was my turn to cast a log into the raging bonfire I recounted a telephone call I received that morning. A person from my home group with 40 years of blessed sobriety called to tell me about the death of a fellow alcoholic. This fellow was in and out of the AA program for many years. He was found dead in the bathroom of a boarding house in which he lived. He was about 40, has a daughter in college, recently lost his mother and his job. He went out a couple of months ago and was just coming back into the program. He landed at the hospital, they told him his liver had high levels of enzymes and that he needed to stop drinking. The past few weeks I was taking him around to meetings. He was a Christian, loved to play guitar and was a gentle man who cared about his daughter and deeply loved her.
The 23rd Psalm says that God’s rod and staff comforts us. I grabbed a stick that was worthy of Moses to throw on the fire. This disease needlessly claims too many souls but there is an easier softer way. I wanted to convey to the brothers and to remind myself that God is always a near and present help during time of adversity. We never have to go it alone. That the fire of faith is freely available to all. It is up to us however to draw near to the flame and to tender a burning desire of recovery for it to take hold in our lives. Recovery is truly a matter of life and death. I offered my thanks that God has never abandoned me to the ravages of my disease. I remain grateful to be counted among the present here this evening still able to draw near to a fire to keep the hope of my recovery burning bright. I blessed the soul of the fallen friend that the disease had claimed. I also prayed that the brothers present by the fire this evening will be counted among the living at the next bonfire. I placed my stick on the fire. It burned a long time.
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land;
deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.
But over you the Lord will rise,
and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations will stream to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawning
Isaiah 60:1-3
You Tube Music Video: Jose Feliciano, Light My Fire
Risk: alcoholism, recovery, spirituality, death
Welcome Diwali
We want to extend our greetings to all Diwali celebrants. The Diwali celebration is a time of reflection and an opportunity to express gratitude for all the gifts we receive. It is a holiday that expresses the human joy and hope in good triumphing over evil.
May all our Hindu, Sikhs and Jain brothers and sisters have a joyous and meaningful Diwali.
Namaste
You Tube Video: Origins of Diwali
You Tube Video: Happy Diwali 2008
Risk: peace, tolerance, grace
Blog Action Day: The Jersey Tomato is Hurtin Too!
This summer Georgia and other southwestern states emerged from their prolonged drought by experiencing the nightmare of devastating floods. It was shocking to see how volatile and changeable the climate of that region was becoming. I counted my blessings that I lived in New Jersey because our moderate climate saved us from living through those types of extreme weather events.
During the summer my wife and I took a trip to Northern California. We hiked through the dwindling Redwood forests and scaled peaks in Lassen Volcano National Park. It’s beauty was at times overwhelming. One afternoon we took a dip in the pristine Yuba River but we had to cut that short due to the raging 49er fire that destroyed over 50 homes and businesses. We were happy to return home to New Jersey where the problems posed by wild fires and exceedingly dry climate are not that great a threat.
In addition to a temperate climate another benefit New Jersey offers its residents is the famous Jersey Tomato. Those with discerning pallets eagerly await the end of summer when farmers begin the harvest and bring to market the agricultural crown jewel of the Garden State, our beloved Jersey Tomato. It is big, juicy and luscious. It doesn’t require a sandwich or Hogi to sit upon. Its is great with a touch of basil leaf or sitting a top a slice of fresh mootz, that Jersey slang for mozzarella cheese. You can make an entire meal of it if you add some crusty Hoboken brick oven bread. Yes, Jersey at its culinary lip smacking best.
One Saturday morning my wife returned from Abma’s Farm in Wycoff with the devastating news that their would be no Jersey Tomatoes this year. Unusually excessive rainfall across the region had destroyed much of the crop. We would have to do without our much looked forward to annual treat. I was crushed. I started to do a bit of research into this degustibus disaster.
I discovered that Jersey farmers are coping with heavy crop losses after steady summer rains saturated fields, creating an environment ripe for overgrown weeds, rot and disease. The downpours damaged crops, from tomatoes, green bell peppers and corn, to barley, peaches and watermelon, decimating whole crops or severely reducing yield.
Wilfred Shamlin of The Courier Post reported on the economic impact the unusual weather had on some of the states farmers. His report is an important anecdotal record of the economic distress changing weather patterns can cause. The observations and quotes from farmers directly effected by this years extreme weather change is an important testimony on the risk of climate change and its impact on crop yields and economic solvency of small farmers agricultural businesses.
“The rains have just killed me this year,” said Tucker Gant, 51, a vegetable and fruit farmer in Elk, who estimates his total losses this year at nearly $220,000.
In Mullica Hill, Fred Grasso, 52, said late frost damaged his peaches and rot ran through his tomatoes, green bell peppers, zucchini and watermelon. “Nobody has ever seen rain as drastic as this year, even talking to old-time farmers,” said Grasso, a third-generation farmer who estimates losses so far at roughly $50,000.
“Weeds are a big issue, especially in a wet year. When it’s time to cultivate, you can’t and when you finally get in there and cultivate, and it rains day after day, weeds set in and reroot because of the moisture,” Grasso said. “Weeds steal nutrients from crops, grow tall and block out sunlight, and prevent plants from drying out after rainfall. And constant rain creates problem because the weeds grow faster and herbicides get washed away before they work.”
“It’s never been that bad as far as I can remember,” said Gant, pointing to water pooling in a field as he drove his pickup truck along a bumpy dirt trail toward 35 acres of barley overrun by tall weeds. “I have never seen water lay there more than two days. It should have been harvested, but you can’t harvest weeds taller than barley.” Blueberry and peaches thrived in the wet weather but the same disease responsible for the Irish potato famine attacked South Jersey’s tomato crops.
“Farmers’ yields will be down this year because a lot of fruit out there wasn’t able to be marketed,” said Michelle Casella, an agricultural agent for Rutgers Cooperative Extension for Gloucester County. Gov. Jon S. Corzine has requested that 15 counties be declared disaster areas by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture after rain, hail, wind and even a tornado caused crop and property damage across the state. The designation would allow farmers with severe weather-related losses to apply for emergency low-interest loans.
This year’s hay crop was such poor quality that Gant marked down the price for landscapers, making 25 cents profit per bale rather than $1.50. Though struggling, Gant and Grasso are bent on persevering as operating costs continue to climb. Gant’s losses include $30,000 on bales of straw for mom-and-pop stores that order 15,000 bales and sell it as decoration during the holidays. He grew enough straw to make 10,000 bales but he had to buy the remaining 5,000 bales from a neighboring farmer. Crop losses have cut into profits that the Gant and the Grasso family normally would have invested back into the farm. “We have cut every corner we can without hurting the business itself,” Grasso said. “We’re at just about the limit where we can’t cut anymore. I’m trying to conserve.”
Gant said he has depleted his retirement savings and supplements his income by working three days a week repairing tractor-trailers. He often works 16-hour days on the farm. His wife also works full-time. He has trimmed unnecessary expenses, postponed farm equipment upgrades, and criticizes the federal government for coming to the aid of car dealers and other big businesses, but not farmers.
“Where’s the bailout for farmers?” Gant asked.
“When everything went into the toilet, my costs didn’t go down one bit,” Gant said.
Gant said he would need a $250,000 loan to bail out his farm.
Gant remains optimistic that he can ride out the recession. He’s planting seeds now so he can get barley, rye and wheat next spring.
“We’ll get there. It’s just a matter of time,” he said. “I believe in the Lord. I know He’s going to take care of me. That’s one reason I’m confident we can come back.”
As all farmers know, we reap what we sow. We trust that Mr. Gant’s optimism and faith will help to restore the good fortunes of farmers and the hungry citizens of New Jersey. We should also view this as an opportunity to begin the sowing the seeds to address the problems of climate change. Even in an area as blessed as New Jersey. Farmers livelihoods and a significant portion of the economy of New Jersey depends on the economic viability of small farmers. I also have a selfish reason to address the threat of climate change. I continue to crave the taste of the sweet fruits of our farmers yields and pray that the Jersey Tomato makes a reappearance on our dinner plates next summer.
This article extensively used the report of Mr. Wilford S. Shamlin at The Courier Post.
To Reach Wilford S. Shamlin at (856) 486-2475 or wshamlin@courierpostonline.com
You Tube Video: Billie Holiday,Lets Call the Whole Thing Off
Risk; small businesses, farmers, agriculture, climate, Jersey Tomato
Riskrapper is pleased to participate in this years Blog Action Day. The subject is climate change. We hope you enjoyed the post.
More than 7000 bloggers have registered to participate and thousands more will join in the next 24 hours. There’s already buzz growing across the blogosphere and on Twitter in anticipation, with updates from around the world every minute about the upcoming event.
T is for Thelonious, S is for Sphere and Monk Completes the Set
Monk Looks Up
We salute the creative genius of T S Monk on the anniversary of his birthday.
Happy Birthday Monk!
10/10/17 – 3/17/82
The Cost of Banking Goes Up
The severity of the banking crisis is evident in the 95 banks the FDIC has closed during 2009. The inordinate amount of bank failures has placed a significant strain on the FDIC insurance fund. The FDIC insurance fund protects bank customers from losing their deposits when the FDIC closes an insolvent bank.
The depletion of the FDIC Insurance fund is accelerating at an alarming rate. At the close of the first quarter, the FDIC bank rescue fund had a balance of $13 billion. Since that time three major bank failures, BankUnited Financial Corp, Colonial BancGroup and Guaranty Financial Group depleted the fund by almost $11 billion. In addition to these three large failures over 50 banks have been closed during the past six months. Total assets in the fund are at its lowest level since the close of the S&L Crisis in 1992. Bank analysts research suggests that FDIC may require $100 billion from the insurance fund to cover the expense of an additional 150 to 200 bank failures they estimate will occur through 2013. This will require massive capital infusions into the FDIC insurance fund. The FDIC’s goal of maintaining confidence in functioning credit markets and a sound banking system may yet face its sternest test.
FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair is considering a number of options to recapitalize the fund. The US Treasury has a $100 billion line of credit available to the fund. Ms. Bair is also considering a special assessment on bank capital and may ask banks to prepay FDIC premiums through 2012. The prepay option would raise about $45 billion. The FDIC is also exploring capital infusions from foreign banking institutions, Sovereign Wealth Funds and traditional private equity channels.
Requiring banks to prepay its FDIC insurance premiums will drain economic capital from the industry. The removal of $45 billion dollars may not seem like a large amount but it is a considerable amount of capital that banks will need to withdraw from the credit markets with the prepay option. Think of the impact a targeted lending program of $45 billion to SME’s could achieve to incubate and restore economic growth. Sum2 advocates the establishment of an SME Development Bank to encourage capital formation for SMEs to achieve economic growth.
Adding stress to the industry, banks remain obligated to repay TARP funds they received when the program was enacted last year. To date only a fraction of TARP funds have been repaid. Banks also remain under enormous pressure to curtail overdraft, late payment fees and reduce usurious credit card interest rates. All these factors will place added pressures on banks financial performance. Though historic low interest rates and cost of capital will help to buttress bank profitability, high write offs for bad debt, lower fee income and decreased loan origination will test the patience of bank shareholders. Management will surely respond with a new pallet of transaction and penalty fees to maintain a positive P&L statement. Its like a double taxation for citizens. Consumers saddled with additional tax liabilities to maintain a solvent banking system will also face higher fees charged y their banks so they can repay the loans extended by the US Treasury to assure a well functioning financial system for the benefit of the republic’s citizenry.
You Tube Music Video: The 5th Dimension, Up Up and Away
Risk: bank failures, regulatory, profitability, political, recession, economic recovery, SME
Day of Atonement: Al-Chet for Risk Managers
Today is Yom Kippur. It is the Day of Atonement. The Jewish faith marks this day each year as a day to reflect on our sins and shortcomings we have committed during the past year. It is a day of personal assessment. Calling all to examine how we have failed to live a life in conformance to our highest aspirations and ideals. It is customary to recite an Al-Chet confession prayer. The Al-Chet is a confession of a persons past year sinful behavior. It is hoped that this admission of sin leads to reconciliation with the aggrieved and an awareness that helps to establish a pattern of improved behavior in the future.
It is good that we commemorate such a day and use it to a constructive purpose. After all, how many among us are without sin? How many of us have achieved a level of perfection that obviates the need to reflect on how we can improve and make amends to those we may have hurt? To be sure, even the best among us have fallen short of the glory of God. The divine Higher Power that keeps mere mortals rightsized and humble when our egos and perception of ourselves grows too large and burdensome. The need to keep a strong self will from running riot is critical. It is particularly dangerous when a person or corporation is unaware and ambivalent to the collateral damage its actions spawn through the naked pursuit of self interest and ambition. In a sense, God is the ultimate celestial Chief Risk Officer that keeps wanton will in check.
The Day of Atonement is an important day because it is a day of transformation. It calls for self examination and transformation. Once we have learned the nature and extent of how our actions and inaction have negatively impacted ourselves and others, we are called to make amends to set things right. It is a day that requires considered action to improve ourselves so we can become a positive force for change in the world.
Considering the year that just transpired in the financial services industry, I wonder what an Al-Chet confession for risk managers would include. We need a strong dose of atonement so we don’t repeat the egregious mistakes we committed last year.
An Al-Chet for Risk Managers:
I was not strong enough to stand up to my boss
I put selfish gain ahead of ethical considerations
I falsified or hid data to conceal results
I failed to be objective
My risk model was too subjective
I ignored warning signs
I was in over my head
I did not understand all the risk factors
I failed to get an outside opinion
I was beholden to monetary gain
I was victim to group think
I placed institutional interest ahead of ethical considerations
I failed to admit I was wrong
I was not honest with regulators
I was not honest with shareholders
I looked the other way
I failed to act
I conveniently overlooked infractions / irregularities
I made exemptions
I did not understand the depth of the problem
I know there are many more.
Please help me to uncover, understand make right and overcome.
Shalom
You Tube Music Video: Aretha Franklin, I Say a Little Prayer
Risk: compliance, reputation, catastrophic risk, moral hazards
Day of Atonement
I have committed during the past year.
I became angry at people who did not agree with me.
I became resentful when things did not go my way.
I often turned my back on people in need.
I failed to forgive others.
I unmindfully wasted resources.
I tried to hurt people who hurt me.
I lacked a sober maturity in dealing with my volatile emotions.
I gave too much power to my biases and prejudices.
I was a poor steward in the trust that others gave to me.
I failed to recognize the divine in all my brothers and sisters.
I failed to quickly engage problems.
I lied.
I let fear control me.
I abandoned my faith.
I acted selfishly.
I failed to walk humbly.
I let pride control me.
I profaned God.
I worshiped war.
I encouraged discord.
I failed to trust.
I failed to love.
God forgive me.
Shalom
Yom Kippur
5770
Musical Video: Gustav Mahler’s 5th Symphony
A Lasting Sanctuary: 911 Remembered
Eight years ago today, I was running down Wall Street fleeing a protoplasmic cloud that I believed was intent on claiming my life. Fortunately as it was about to overcome me a revolving door of a Charles Schwab office offered me an escape portal from the deadly billows of powered cement, asbestos and other matter emulsified by the collapsing South Tower of the World Trade Center.
I was fortunate to have access to a sanctuary of safety and ready escape. The brokerage office was filled with confused, terrified and wounded people. All consumed in a maelstrom of an iconoclastic force that at the time laid beyond our understanding or comprehension. The hysteria in the room was balanced by the command of resolve summoned by the afflicted to survive and a compassion that recognized our shared humanity and common plight. Most responded with a spirit of action that held out a hand to help those in distress. It was heartening to witness such a selfless demonstration of empathy and commitment to others. It was how we escaped and survived the terrible fate that too many suffered on that infamous day.
On this day as I sit watching family members read the names of those lost at the World Trade Center, I am moved by the endless tears they shed for the dearly departed. The aggrieved wear shirts with images of the fallen. They hold photos of people captured in the light of the victims finest day. Children wear medals and the caps of fallen fire fighters. I marvel at the depth of their love and wonder how they will find a portal of escape and a lasting sanctuary from the deep wounds and loss afflicted upon them that day?
We all need to discover and walk through a portal of escape to a sanctuary of restoration. As a nation we desperately need to heal the seemingly fathomless wounds of loss we all so keenly feel as a result of 911. A sanctuary is a place of transcendence. It is a place where the faithful can meet the divine and are in turn transfigured by the miracle of grace. We must prepare ourselves to enter the sanctuary. We need to find a place where this national nightmare can be laid to rest on an alter in God’s sanctuary. God hears our cries for justice. God understands the depths of the dark places in our hearts that scream and wail from the deep wounds of loss suffered. God’s justice holds out a hope that we become fully restored from the deep loss we experienced. God’s wisdom requires us to shed our sense of victimization so as we can realize our restoration.
The events on 911 has deeply transfigured our nation. We have sacrificed civil liberties, entered two wars and raised fear, xenophobia and the pursuit of righteous vengeance to a national obsession. Vengeance is a bitter bread to feast on. The wisdom of the Bible instructs that vengeance is the province of the Lord. We must prepare to enter the sanctuary by practicing peace. It is the best way to honor the loss of our beloved brothers and sisters and it is the only way this terrible wound will ever heal. Together we can eat the bread of peace and drink from the chalice that promises to heal and restore that which has been lost.
Rest in peace beloved. I offer prayers of restoration and healing to those who lost loved ones.
Loping Wolf: Christo Redentor
Risk: war, restoration, peace, faith
Welcome Ramadan
According to the Lunar cycle, tomorrow begins Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and engage in the spiritual reflection of God. It is a compelling statement of faith and commitment to the precepts of Islam Muslims make for a month each year. Ramadan also is a time when prayer becomes more central to the expression of faith. We have included some Ramadan prayers from Beliefnet.
We wish our Muslim brothers and Sisters a blessed and meaningful Ramadan. May Allah bless and keep you as you journey to find more closeness and unity with the Benificent One.
As Salaam Alaikum
Risk: opportunity to get closer to Allah
II Duce’s Ghost
II Duce’s ghost is restless. Summoned by the phantasmagorical fear of a people suffering from the multiple illnesses of a very sick nation, II Duce’s ghost stalks the land. Raised from the grave by the craven babble of Talk Radio shills, pernicious corporate interests and a ruthless ruling oligarchy aided and abetted by complicit politicians bought on the cheap to act as their bagman, II Duce corpse twitters back to life.
As we count down to Harold Camping’s rapture date of 5/21/11, the frenetic fear of a collapsing world increasingly terrifies the masses. Religious fundamentalists of all stripes cry that modernity’s embrace of science and a culture of relativism is an abomination to the sight of God. The “Children of God” pine away about the erosion of the old values of the Old Time Religions; while the “Children of Enlightenment” fear that reason is quickly disappearing into a broken Hadron supercollider’s black hole of ignorance. One side is busy arming themselves in preparation for the coming battle of Armageddon while the other side lays up assets in their bank accounts to ride out the coming Day of Judgment. II Duce is truly one of God’s favored. Anointed by fundamentalist TV preachers because he honors their creed and recieves funding by Bible thumping wealth gospel believing businessmen because he promises to protects their God given fatted coffers. Only II Duce can bring both sides together to sing praises in a divinely inspired choir.
The Federal Treasury paid a rich ransom to bankers to free our imaginations from the dread of the collapse of free market capitalism. Lately we hear murmurs that the nuke button still remains painfully close to the twitching fingers of fidgeting bankers. They threaten to shut down our tired and poor ATM networks and revoke our credit limits yearning for more debt. A strong dose of TARP II is the only known medicinal cure. Frenzied Tea Baggers scream their anger at a government intent on taxing the life blood out of its citizens so fat cat bankers can cash stupid money bonus checks. This insures that the syncopated beats of our capitalist heart continues to rock on. II Duce is a skilled and gifted physician. He knows how to conduct the delicate procedures necessary to prevent coronary arrest. II Duce alone knows the recipe to concoct a special brew of herbal teas. Its a powerful elixir that alleviates the caffeine induced head aches of Tea Bagger’s while keeping the circulation of our cholesterol challenged free markets flowing.
At town meetings, people in junk food fueled schizophrenic rants rave at impotent senators going through the motions of participatory democracy. The constituents insistent diatribes profess a love of country while they eagerly profane and condemn its democratic institutions. They say they are concerned about all the money being spent by the Feds. As deficit spending spirals into the trillions they shout “Who will pay for this?” and “Its unconscionable to saddle my kids and my grandchildren with this burden.” Perhaps. But we should also ask what are we doing to increase peace in a world rife with conflicts. Its just as unfair to ask our grandchildren to fight wars for which they had no grievance. Its also equally unjust to ask them to breathe air we polluted with chemicals or to drink water we spat in. I believe it is just to ask them to pay for our country’s infrastructure that all future generations will benefit from. They’ll need roads, water, hospitals and schools. I still cross bridges and traverse high ways and attend schools that were built by earlier generations. I drink water from aquifers and water systems that were built 100 years ago. New Yorkers ride in subways that were built by our great great grand parents.
Birthers are eager to delegitimize the institutions of a democratic republic. They scream at congressmen that their actions are Unamerican. They advise their representatives that they should read the constitution. Undoubtedly the culture of corruption consuming our politicians is a systemic disease badly in need of eradication. But emotional outbursts of Birthers shouting down representatives as they wave facsimiles of birth certificates, crying out “I want my country back” weakens the legitimacy of our government. The vehemence seems driven more by the fear of a person of color as president and the cultural transformation radically altering the ethnic landscape of America. II Duce understands this anguish. It grieves him to see real Americans in such pain. He knows an ethnicity other then his own is unworthy to hold supreme office. The image of II Duce is a venerated prism that must reflect the complexion of true Americans.
Federalism is not based on a two party system. It is based on a constitution complete with a Bill of Rights. It includes three independent branches of government that serve to check and balance the power of each branch. It is a system in dire need of reform but it has through our countries history demonstrated its resilience and value as the best model to assure the semblance of a participatory democracy. It is the worthy expression of a free democratic peoples and it is certainly worthy of preservation. Federalism is not the problem. The problem lies in a compromised political process that elects entrapped representatives to office. II Duce prefers obfuscation. Tyrants need to hold all the cards of power to smooth over the messy and uncomfortable edges of democratic republics. Its better and more expedient for a benevolent philosopher King to make the hard decisions that need to made.
The wisdom of II Duce would be immediately put to use to make the hard choices to solve the health care problem vexing our country. The debate has stoked the howling yodelers of Talk Radio to turn up the volume of their vitriol. They have energized a nation of Valium saturated minds. They have woken millions from the torpor of ambivalence induced by the pharmaceutical industrial complex. This industry suspected of playing a role in the pharmacide of such cultural icons like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson buys spots that run in continuous loop on the grim reality TV shows. The ads hammer home the lesson that instant relief from the nausea of daily life is just a shot away. Mothers little helper dispensed en masse is as close and quick as the drive-in window at Walmart. All for a small deductible of $5.00.
There is something in the water. America’s rivers are polluted with bio active elements people discharge from their bodies due to the use of products from the pharmaceutical industrial complex. It pollutes our aquifers. II Duce takes a long cool drink, as he marvels at the wonder of our industry and invites more to freely imbibe.
The twittering nonsense and bold Facebook lies Sarahcuda’s minions are willing to swallow so as not to be out of goose stepping rhythm with other Dittoheads clearly comforts II Duce. The Confederacy is rising again. This confederacy transcends the easy boundaries of geographic definition. This confederacy consists of state militiamen, libertarians and ad hoc communities springing up and thriving along the fracture lines of the urban and rural divide. They are seeking an ideology that is palatable enough to coexist with armed militias, Tea Baggers, Christian Falangists, nationalists and other malcontents. Throw in an assortment of skinheads, Nazis, White Supremacists and other national socialists and you have the semblance of a profile of the new confederacy for a new millennium. They worship force and the right of the stronger, believing that militarism is the supreme arbiter of all things. They are eager to project that power.
II Duce’s ghost is awake and walking across the land like Goya’s Colossus. Summoned by the sycophants of right wing Talk Radio, encouraged by the Bush administrations use of the constitution as toilet paper, risen by the growing militarism and nationalist sentiment and fed by the militant anger of a people that can no longer suffer the abuse of power by the ruling oligarchs, II Duce’s ghost has awakened, complete with freshly pressed Blackshirt. It is ever listening, waiting for the right moment to fully materialize from the savagery of a savage nation.
You Tube Video: Benito Mussolini
Risk: fascism, Federalism, democracy
