The Point of Blogging

  When I first decided to start writing a blog, I became very excited with the idea of writing and other people reading and commenting on what I write. It sounded like a great writing tool, as you would be able to get constructive criticism on your writing and give it to others. I imagined it to be much like an online forum, where you could post within a category and search for other blogs choosing from a large selection of categories. However, I soon learned that blogging is not like that at all. Blogs do not seem to be organized at all, as it is nearly impossible to browse in any one particular category of subjects. Because they are not organized, they never get read. Unless you somehow manage to get a "following," which seems to be by way of fierce competition. So, what exactly is the point of blogging? I have no idea. As far as I can tell, it has been nothing but a waste of my time. I would love to find an online forum where people can post their articles, short stories, poetry, etc. for comments and criticism. If anyone knows of such a website, please let me know.

 

But I'm guessing that no one ever will, because no one will ever even read this. Wow, how awesome is that?

Uncle Sam Wants YOU, to Support His Troops

When I was in grade school, I believe it was seventh grade to be exact, I remember being introduced to the vocabulary term propaganda. I can remember looking at pictures in my social studies text book of old WWI and WWII posters, displaying various images and slogans designed to inspire people to enlist in America’s military. Most of you are probably familiar with the image of Uncle Sam, with his white hair and stars and stripes top hat, pointing his finger and claiming the he wants YOU, for the U.S. Army. While that particular poster was originally created for the war of 1812, it was used extensively through out both world wars and it’s familiarity has continued into modern times. It is known to be a prime example of what is referred to as American propaganda.

The definition of propaganda, as stated by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is: 1: the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person 2: ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause; also : a public action having such an effect.

Now for the reason why I bring this up. The purpose of this blog is simply to bring attention to what I believe to be the most successful work of propaganda currently in use by the American government, media, and it’s society as a whole.

It is a simple, one sentence slogan that goes as follows: Support Our Troops.

Political analyst Noam Chomsky made a good point when criticizing the slogan, saying, “the point of public relations slogans like “Support Our Troops” is that they don’t mean anything. That’s the whole point of good propaganda. You want to create a slogan that nobody is going to be against and I suppose everybody will be for, because nobody knows what it means, because it doesn’t mean anything. But its crucial value is that it diverts your attention from a question that does mean something…do you support our policy? And that’s the one you’re not allowed to talk about.”

Well, I’m talking about it.

Can you think of a more successful means of gathering support of the American people for their government’s actions than what this one little sentence has done over the past decade? Since it was first introduced around the time of the Gulf war, this catchy slogan has spread to literally everywhere you go. It’s on your local news, it’s in your favorite television shows, on bumper stickers, and even in churches. And because of this, it has gotten so popular that it is no longer just just spread by those who are actually in support of the country’s military. Whether people actually think about the slogan or not, they go along with it as “the right thing to do,” since it has become so socially acceptable that it seems as if no one, barring an “ alleged terrorist,” could possibly be so morally reprehensible as to disagree with such a statement.

Well, I have a problem with this. If you haven’t already guessed, I do not support America’s role in the middle east. But that is not what this blog is about. What has motivated me to write this is that as a citizen of America it seems that I should be expected to support this country’s military, without question. “Supporting the troops” has become such a common slogan, that it seems as if no one even considers the fact that it may be offensive to others. It is as if no matter who you are or where you are from, if you are in this country it goes without saying that you will automatically go along with supporting it’s military.

I was recently on a plane with a few men wearing the military fatigues when I heard the flight attendant come on over the intercom announcing that they were on their way back from Iraq, and asked that “everybody give these heroes a big round of applause!” I did not clap. I did not know these people, and had absolutely nothing against them personally. However, that does not mean I should be expected to support what it is they are choosing to do with their lives. Because I don’t.

I would like to point out the observation that so many in this country seem to miss. They are not “our” troops. The military is not under our control. The American people do not vote on the actions that the military takes. They are the American government’s military. And it just so happens that I do not support the actions that the American government has been taking in foreign affairs. I also happen not to support the innocent bloodshed that has been caused by the American military’s actions in the middle east. Therefore, I do not support the individual American soldiers anymore than I support the war that they choose to contribute to. So often I see the “support the troops” bumper sticker on the back of a car (a lot of times it’s ironically on the back of an SUV or Hummer) right next to another sticker asking to End this War. Is anyone yet to sit down and actually think about that? The combination of those statements form an oxymoron. You simply can not support troops who are freely contributing to a war, while at the same time claiming to be against that very war. It seems as if a lot of people are trying to have it both ways, and it just doesn’t work like that. By supporting the troops, you are supporting the war. By opposing the war, you are opposing those who contribute to it. I really don’t believe that it’s as complicated of a concept as people make it out to be.

Every individual makes their own choices in life. This is a free country after all, and no one is forced to join it’s military. And those who are in the military choose whether to stay in it when times turn from peace to times of conflict. They choose whether to follow their orders or not. Yes, there would be negative consequences for someone in the military to go against what they are ordered. But it is still their free choice, none the less. If a man is told to kill people whom he does not know and who have done him no harm, and is given the choice between following those orders or facing time in prison, he must make that choice for himself. He is not to put blame on the organization who is giving the orders, when the man put himself under that organizations rule to begin with, fully knowing that he may be given such orders at some point in time.

I understand that not everyone who enlists in the military is a bad person. Most of them, I am sure, are really good people with great intentions in life. However, from my personal experience it is my opinion that many of those who sign up for the military simply could not think of anything more productive to do with their life. And/or they see it as a great way to escape their existing debt, unemployment and most of all, their uneventful life. As the ads claim, it gives people great confidence, job security, educational opportunities and even financial support for them and their families. What a deal. But at what cost? How many of those young people take the time to sit down and THINK, for themselves, about what exactly their role in the military is? Or about what the role of the military itself, is? And most of all, what exactly are the true intentions of America’s government? Many, I am willing to bet, don’t see much past the glamorous television ads. Or don’t want to. But then again, I have personally known one young soldier to admit that “he kind of wants to kill somebody.”

Not everyone in the military is like this, I know. However, the truth of the matter is that the military teaches young people how to kill. And how to do it with pride. Pride for “their country.” Plus they know that back home everybody and their grandmother is driving around in a gas guzzling SUV with a “Support the Troops” bumper sticker on the back of it.

Where will this road end? How far will this propaganda spread, and how long will it continue? It seems to me that the biggest crisis in this country may not be a corrupt government, or even global warming, but rather the great state of apathy shared by it’s citizens, young and old alike. Everybody goes along with supporting the troops, if for no other reason, because they never bothered to really care about it one way or the other. Its a lot easier to go along with something than to stand up and go against the grain. That might actually involve having to think, and might even mean not fitting in with everyone else (perish the thought!).

It’s so much easier to consider ourselves up to speed on current events when we are able to discuss the meaningless stories broadcasted by our local evening news. So much easier to obsess over sports, celebrities, and automobiles. So much easier to let yourself be consumed by the daily issues of your own personal life. As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss.

If you want to support the troops, then that’s fine with me. Go for it. All I ask is that you don’t expect me, and everyone else, to get on the bandwagon with you.

Thanks, and have a nice day.

Post Scriptum: While writing this, I couldn’t stop thinking about another example of propaganda that is often tied in with the “support the troops” slogan, which is the statement that the troops are “fighting for our freedom.” This does not make any logical sense to me, as I can not see how the bloodshed in the middle east has any effect whatsoever on the daily life of the American citizen, and certainly not on the quality of our “freedom.” Well, perhaps it does help fuel prices stay low.

Or perhaps that is just conspiracy. But I suppose that that would be a great incentive to all the consumers in their Hummers (which, by the way, are truly no more than glorifications of war). And even more of an incentive to those who market such ridiculously unnecessary vehicles. However, I won’t go any further with this line of thought, as I believe the effect of oil prices and America’s grim obsession with oversized, emotionally compensating vehicles really deserve a blog of its own. Or perhaps, maybe a whole book. I recommend reading Christopher Steiner’s “$20 a gallon” for insights on these particular topics.

***Constructive criticism on my writing is welcomed. Comments made in argument of my viewpoint will not be welcomed, as this is not an open invitation to debate. Please express your own viewpoints in your own blog. If you like, you are welcome send me the link to your blog after having done so.

Thank you.

Christmas Lights and Tom Petty

I didn’t want to take the christmas tree down. If it was up to me I probably would have left up at least for the month of january. I can remember it being up all of February as well when I was growing up, so all through my childhood the Christmas season truly went as long as the winter season. As a child I didn’t know that a lot people might consider this odd. And to this day, I don’t see why anyone would consider that odd.

It felt as though I only put it up a month ago, and I suppose that was because it hadn’t been any longer. But it seems as though it should have felt longer. You see, the older I get, the more I seem to be cherishing this concept of the Christmas spirit. I look forward to it as early as October, when I start planning my light displays, both outside and inside the house, and on my vehicles as well. That’s right, I’ve put Christmas lights on my truck when I had one, strung them all the way around the bed. This year I zip-tied them to my bicycle frame and ran ’em off a 12 volt battery. Just what I needed, more motorists noticing me. I think about what kind of Christmas cards I want, and just what I’ll be writing on each one. This year I went with sparkly snowmen, and signed them all with “Peace and Love.”

One might suggest a psychological explanation, such as I am desperately clinging on to my inner child as I grow farther and farther from it. And perhaps I am…but at what fault? When I was a young kid, Christmas meant as much to me as I suppose any child. Maybe more, or maybe less, I don’t know. But I certainly wasn’t the type to shrug it off as just a day I got more toys. Even though I was, in fact, a spoiled little brat. (I remember being able to look through the J.C.Penney catalog and spot a toy on almost every single page that I already had). But still, I like to think that even then I knew it was about more than just getting more stuff.

People who know me must observe that I am the introverted type, quiet and observive. So, perhaps it is this feature about me that explains why I love the décor so much, as I am able to express myself through gaudy tinsel and flashing lights without having to actually be any more outgoing than I normally am. It IS the season to be jolly after all, and I can get away with walking around in a Santa hat without the fear anyone confronting me to see what’s going on in my looney head. The most I get from strangers is a smile, if anything. That’s just the kind of socializing we introverts strive for.

And yet as I stand there, picking ornaments off the tree, like premature fruit before the first frost, I realize that the intensity of my remorse is greater than the intensity of the jolly spirit I felt when putting all this stuff up . Not only is this feeling of sadness greater, but somehow I am relishing it more, perhaps in spite of its intensity. What’s that all about?

Well, I’ve been thinking. And I think maybe a part of this feeling might come from a humbling relief. Relief stemming from the fact that I’m coming to terms with something that I try to ignore throughout the whole merry holiday, even though in my subconscious I must know its coming. The knowledge of another Christmas past, that is. Another year of my life completed. Another year of accomplishments. Another year wasted. Another file to be stored in the drawer marked “Christmas memories.”

One more Christmas that’s farther away, more grown up, more mature, than the spirit of which I actually cherish.

And as the more I try, the farther I get, and the brighter the ghost of my childhood spirit shines. And not just for my benefit, but for the children who see a house decked out in Christmas lights and feel the growing of what will become their own memories of the magic that comes from the season.

But my decor and enthusiasm is not just for the children, by any means. Hell, I don’t even like kids. Its for anyone who wants to share in the magical feeling with me. And, I should probably admit, there’s a hint of spite involved as I string up my lights and reindeer, for I’m making a stand. A lone stand in this sad world of mysteriously diminishing Christmas lights.

My enthusiasm may be just a ghost of my childhood spirit, but at least its an active ghost, more than happy to haunt all of those pathetic, sourpuss adults who seem to look forward to nothing more as the season gets closer other than bitching about the snow as if it were fire falling from the sky, and who will tell anyone who will listen how annoying they find the “Allen and the Chipmunks” song, and are so quick to blame their humbuggery on how it’s all just a marketing scheme, then somehow don’t see the irony that they are just as corrupt as those who use Christmas as a marketing scheme as they are in the fact that they are dismissing the magic of the holiday altogether.

“People come and people go, some grow young, while others grow old.”

Tom Petty sang that, and I couldn’t agree more. I may not have a say in the matter of my body, but I, for one, do not intend to grow older in spirit. At least not without a struggle. So, lastly, maybe Christmas to me is subconsciously just another way to defeat the boring and tired adultness of the world that so many give into, so easily.

I don’t really know why I love Christmas so much. And I guess that, when it comes down to it, it really dosen’t matter. All that matters is that I don’t ever let myself get “too old for that crap.”

I may not believe in Santa Claus anymore.

But I do believe in Christmas lights.

Peace and Love to you all,

and to all a happy holiday season 🙂

The Sun Also Rises – a review

This book is referred to as a classic, and its author (Ernest Hemingway) is known as one of the greats. No one wants to say something negative about one of the classics for fear of being labeled an incompetent reader, as if the book must have went right over your head for you not to have been able to grasp the greatness of it. But I’m going to go out on a limb here and say this is just not a good book.

Perhaps the fact that I had my hopes up in anticipation of my first Hemingway helped to make it that much more disappointing. I just knew it was going to be good. But it wasn’t.

It’s a boring story. It’s about boring pretentious people, doing boring things. The language was interesting at first because it’s different than what your used to, because it lets you in on how some people talked back in the twenties. But that’s where the interestingness ends, and it gets bland and repetitive real quick. Between a lot of drinking and dull conversation that never actually goes anywhere, the book is filled with irrelevant and mundane details of the weather and scenery. A whole chapter dedicated towards an incredibly boring fishing trip that could have been told in two or three paragraphs. Yes, I know there’s symbolism in these details, but what of it? Its not remotely interesting.

Okay, well maybe running with the bulls in Spain isn’t all that boring, but that book didn’t do much to extract the excitement out of even that. To sum up the so called “climax”, the story leads you into a description of a bull fight, where they were letting the bulls gore these horses and the tough guys were telling the not so tough guys and girls that it’s not a big deal and to watch the bulls and not the horses. And how great the bulls are, even as they are gruesomely killing these other animals.

And this is supposed to symbolize great passion for life, love, and sexual desire? Really? Hey, if you think that’s good writing, than I can honestly respect that, and I really don’t mean to offend anyone. But personally, I think it’s ridiculous. I think it’s incredibly overrated. And I think it’s crap.

To me, a good book is one that, in some way or another, captivates your interest, for better or for worse. It evokes emotions and/or inspiration. The only feeling this book evoked in me was anger. Anger that I wasted my time forcing my way through this thing, the whole time telling myself to keep faith, that the good part must be yet to come, only to be genuinely let down.

My final thoughts…This book sucks. With aficion!

That being said, I have not given up on Hemingway altogether, and do plan to read his other books in time. And I certainly encourage everyone to read this book and decide for themselves just how good it is or isn’t. Who knows, maybe ten years form now I’ll reread this book and think to myself, “What was I thinking? This book is amazing!”

Any comments?

On an afterthought… After realizing the similarities between this book, and The Great Gatsby, (it takes place around the same time, with characters of the same generation, not to mention Hemingway and Fitzgerald were known to hang in the same circle), I couldn’t help but to read Gatsby again, and had a much stronger appreciation for it since I had last read it in high school. Gatsby keeps me entertained throughout the whole story, the language is beautifully poetic and inventive, and there’s something else… Hmm, what do you call it? Oh yeah, it actually has a plot. For perhaps a demonstration on how The Sun Also Rises went wrong, I’d suggest reading it next to The Great Gatsby.

Post Scriptum: As for now, I’m currently reading The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. I’m only halfway through it, and this is already a great story. I think it could end in the next three pages and it wouldn’t make it any less of a worthy read. Perhaps I’ll do a short blog on the emotions and inspiration it has already evoked in me, once I am done with it. If nothing else, I definitely recommend this one.

About the Author

I hate how every time you read “About the Author” on the inside cover of a book, it always tells you about his/her model life and how they graduated from such and such university with a degree in this and another degree in that, and how they spent years traveling abroad and and how theyre now living happily ever after in some low crime rate bustling American metropolis with their spouse and two children.

Whats that all about, anyhow? Not only do they have a book published, but they have to rub their quintisetnial successful life in your face at the end of it? What happened to humbleness in writing?

I mean, Who asked them, anyways? Just because every other author has decided to tell the world irrelevant details about their family and it’s whereabouts, why does that imply that anyone, outside of a stalker, gives a damn? How about you only let some ambiguous voice speak ”About the Author” if what they say about you actually has some relevance to the story that was just read by your humble reader?

I swear, if I ever write a book, I’ll have an “About the Author”. But just for spite, mines gonna say something along the lines of…Daniel dropped out of school in the 10^th grade to pursue a life of drugs and chaos, and eventually got his GED years later while serving time in San Quentin state prison. He now lives by himself, (or maybe with his 8 cats), in a trailer park on the outskirts of the Texas-Mexico border.

Then, instead of feeling resentment at my success, my readers can pitty me, and say “Well, atleast the poor bastard got a book published. Thats something…”