Triage during an Idiot Disaster

There’s a lot of lip service given to faith. Those who claim to be full of it (faith, that is) always seem insecure. They seem so easily moved to violence if what they supposedly truly believe is challenged.

This has never made sense to me. Why does faith so often manifest itself as an open hostility towards non-believers? Why can’t they learn from a better example? Say, for instance, me.

See, despite my religious feelings falling closest to the label of atheist, I have a tremendous faith in some things. That is, there are some facts that I know for certain are true, and anyone who states otherwise, I simply feel compelled to laugh my ass off at. I am so sure they are wrong, I simply can’t be moved to righteous anger.

In the abstract, imagine you are standing before a drawing of a circle and someone else is calling it a square. Do you really bother getting mad at such a knucklehead? Why waste your time and emotional energy? Why not just laugh, say “You’re wrong” and move on?

Let’s discuss a more concrete example. Many a clueless idiot has said this exact phrase: “Animals don’t have emotions.” Now, leaving aside the fact that the person saying it is a human animal, and would likely not deny that they have emotions, let’s examine this. Those who live with non-humans (cats, dogs, etc.) are prone to get upset at the dumb statement, “animals don’t have emotions” because it is 100% false, and demonstrably so, constantly, consistently and always. All you need do is spend a few seconds with a non-human, and you’re sure to see some emotion: fear, joy, mistrust, etc. I can say I believe very few statements one hundred percent. “Animals have emotions,” is one of those rare assertions.

Most times, “to have faith” implies that someone has NOT thought about something, they just believe it wholeheartedly and brag about it, as if that’s some kind of admirable accomplishment. When I say I have a faith in something, it means I’ve checked it out and nothing has given me the slightest inkling to think otherwise.

When something I truly believe is challenged, instead of righteous anger, my faith manifests itself as a laughing certainty. Why can’t more people just be like me? (Answer to come.)

Anyway, when a person utters nonsense that is completely wrong, why should I threaten to kill them? I will attempt to educate, but if they insist on their ignorance, I can’t help but laugh. It’s un-PC, but I really can’t be bothered. If you insist on being that stupid, you’ll have to find your own way to reality. I’m not going to give you directions. In the case where you happen to be a decision-maker, like a president, then I’m going to work to remove your dumb ass from power.

Think of it as triage during an idiot disaster. I save only those with a hope of saving. Those who are lost beyond hope I simply let die. Then I laugh at them. Keep in mind this is all an analogy, but it points out that I probably wouldn’t be too useful in a hospital. So it’s a good thing that at least all of the world isn’t like me.

As for “people of faith” who are intolerant and violent, I could teach them a thing or two.

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Larry Nocella is the award-winning author of the novel Where Did This Come From? available at Amazon and Xlibris and other fine online book stores. Also, for a limited time, Where Did This Come From? is available as an eBook for only ONE DOLLAR. Visit Larry Nocella's website at www.LarryNocella.com.

Thanks for the march

To all those who marched in Washington DC this past Saturday (27 January 2007) to protest the Iraq War, a big thank you. I personally couldn’t make it to DC then, but I’m glad you did. Cheney and Bush clearly feel the office of the president is actually the office of the dictator, since they are refusing to listen to the overwhelming majority against the war. A mass of people is probably the only hope (however futile) of breaking through their willful denial. For more info, visit http://www.unitedforpeace.org/index.php.

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Larry Nocella is the award-winning author of the novel Where Did This Come From? available at Amazon and Xlibris and other fine online book stores. Also, for a limited time, Where Did This Come From? is available as an eBook for only ONE DOLLAR. Visit Larry Nocella's website at www.LarryNocella.com.

State of the Union summary

I didn't even bother to watch the State of the Union Address last night. I think the animated GIF here summarizes it enough anyway. When you've been lied to so many times, do you really entertain anything the liar has to say? He's not listening to the American public that wants out of Iraq, so why should anyone listen to him?

The New USA Military Strategy

Is it a surge? Is it an escalation? Is it an augmentation? Is it a civil war, or just sectarian violence? Why are the war-planners so obsessed with labels?

Let's address the facts: it's the same old war for the same old reason. See my GIF animation. Feel free to pass it around.

Bring the troops home now! U.S. out of Iraq now! Thanks.

Keep Dreaming, Dr. King!

As a fiction author, I’ve learned that drama is built by character flaws. A story involving a hero that is fearless makes for a dull tale. The bad guy runs to the top of a building? Who cares? The hero is fearless. He smirks and makes a move. Big deal. But make that hero afraid of heights and now you’ve got some drama. Can he conquer the fear while taking on the bad guy?

Similarly, the legend of Jesus doesn’t excite me, because according to the myth, the guy was the son of god, so of course he’s going to do great things. The fact that his greatest feats were conquering death a couple times might even qualify him as a slacker. All you did was raise yourself, Lazarus and heal lots of people? Shucks, your dad created the universe, buddy! Billions of planets. You didn’t even create one. You’re not half the man your dad was.

It is for these reasons Martin Luther King inspires me: because the guy was 100% human. Yet he gave his life for peace and non-violence. Some charge him with infidelity, claim that this religious man had mistress(es.) My response? I shrug. It’s entirely possible. But does it matter to anyone except his immediate family? In fact, if it were truly confirmed, yes, that would be bad, but it would take nothing away from his peaceful actions and bravery. It would make him a less than ideal husband, but then again, I’m not married to him, I’m not his son or brother and neither are you. We both only know him as a historical figure, an activist for peace. And in that sense, he is nothing short of inspiring.

So what would he say and do today? I’m especially curious as to how he would take on the Right Wing Noise Machine. Anyone who speaks in favor of peace, even if they never commit any violent act, is verbally assaulted by Faux News and their drone army, slandered and labeled in the most heinous fashion.

Look at the pounding Cindy Sheehan takes (referred to as “prostitute” and “tragedy pimp” in the smear media) and what has she done? Speak out non-violently against a war. That’s all. Agree or disagree, fine, but do you need to call someone who has - 1.) lost a son to war and 2.) never physically harmed anyone - such vile things? Look at the verbal cruelness unleashed on Kristen Breitweiser (who lost her husband in 9-11, and also – never physically harmed anyone.) This was said about her: “I've never seen people enjoying their husbands' deaths so much.”

And so, today, without Dr. King, in the presence of such organized cruelty, such willful close-mindedness, what are we to do?

“Keep dreaming!” It’s a sarcastic idiom, a comment that says, “Your wish will never come true.” Maybe so, maybe so. I guess the way to look at it is, dreams you abandon never come true. Dreams you hang on to, at least they’ve got a fighting chance.

A fighting chance: a non-sarcastic idiom for the dream of an America where opportunity is equal. Thanks for the inspiration, Dr. King. Rest in peace.

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Larry Nocella is the award-winning author of the novel Where Did This Come From? available at Amazon and Xlibris and other fine online book stores. Also, for a limited time, Where Did This Come From? is available as an eBook for only ONE DOLLAR. Visit Larry Nocella's website at http://www.larrynocella.com/.

The Navajo resistance to uranium mining

It could just be my usual over-thinking, but I find self-promotion a tricky path. Maybe I’m too pessimistic. For example, is it wrong for Bono to speak out on political issues even though it has the side-effect of free publicity for him and U2? Or is it a great thing that he uses his fame to give a loud voice to a struggle that the powers-that-be would rather kept quiet?

I tend to think it’s a good thing, and Bono a great guy for using his fame to promote justice. So, I’ll err on the side of being criticized as a self-promoter if it means I can get the word out for people who truly need assistance or attention to their cause. I guess the way of thinking of it is, Bono is a singer, he doesn’t have to speak out to survive, yet he does speak on behalf of justice. Though my fame level is a tad bit less than Bono’s, I’ll apply the same standard to myself. I’m a writer. I could blog about my novel only, but including something important is a choice I make.

With all that angst aside, let me alert you to a struggle that was brought to my attention because of its similarity to the fictional plot of my novel, Where Did This Come From?

The Navajo nation (if you’re like me you didn’t even really know there still was one) is resisting uranium mining on their land. Here’s the link to the LA Times story: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-navajo22nov22,0,6236667,full.story Mining firms again eyeing Navajo land, Demand for uranium is soaring. But the tribe vows a 'knockdown, drag-out legal battle.' By Judy Pasternak, Times Staff Writer, November 22, 2006.

Now I don’t know what we can do about this as consumers, except perhaps begin with the usual items: learn about it, spread the word, contact the appropriate government reps and companies, etc. Boycotting uranium doesn’t seem as easy as boycotting veal. Still, the key is always doing something, no matter how little, because doing nothing is when the world goes bad. So please read the story at the link above and spread the word.

Are stories encouraging people to think about their impact on the world a trend or perhaps a sub-genre? I don’t know what to call it, but I’m glad to be a part of it. Though some might say movies like Blood Diamond, Syriana, Traffic, or An Inconvenient Truth are preachy, or trying to make people feel guilty about what they buy, I find them empowering. Everyone is a consumer and therefore everyone can relate. We have the power to be villains or the good guys and gals.

So keep in mind the Navajo resistance to uranium mining. As with all movements, this one has been going on for a while, but is likely gathering momentum, especially with the role that uranium acquisition (or rather, false claims thereof) played in the Iraq War. More details: http://www.sric.org/uraniumsummit/index.html.

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Larry Nocella is the award-winning author of the novel Where Did This Come From? available at Amazon and Xlibris and other fine online book stores. Also, for a limited time, Where Did This Come From? is available as an eBook for only ONE DOLLAR. Visit Larry Nocella's website at http://www.larrynocella.com/.

Say Goodbye to ALL Dictators

Saddam has hung and now he’s dead. So? Setting aside all thoughtful objections to the death penalty that I and others concerned with human rights have, my personal thought is one less asshole in the world is always a good thing. So, on behalf of all those you murdered, Saddam, goodbye and rot in hell.

So while I consider Saddam’s death to be a good thing, it doesn’t resonate with any sense of justice, since those who are as bad as he is, those who assisted him in his rise to power (Bush Cheney Rumsfeld) aren’t facing any significant threat of a war crimes trial, a crimes against humanity trial, impeachment, or even a misdemeanor. Nothing. For starting a war based on lies, sending young Americans to their deaths, killing civilians in a foreign country, destroying the right to any kind of trial for the accused to defend themselves and profiting from it all, their punishment is nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

I guess I’m adjusting to the common but persistently frustrating revelation that there is no consistent justice in the world. I don’t say it lightly, but since Saddam has been executed for his role in killing people without any legitimate claim of self-defense, then Bush Cheney Rumsfeld should be executed for the same reason. Failing that, they should face some due process.

Instead, Dictator Bush is talking about a new plan, a plan for more troops, exactly what the American public voted strongly against. Democrats have already shown signs of backing off. If impeachment is off the table, can’t some kind of punishment be on the table? The halls of the capitol are dominated by men, so why the shortage of balls?

I’ll never understand those who counter complaints about the Bush Cheney Rumsfeld war-profiteering cartel with complaints about Clinton’s sexual adventures. To be more upset about private, consensual sex that killed exactly zero people than about massive death, murder and torture and the destruction of American ideals is idiocy that outdistances any description of moronic behavior the world’s best writers could ever assemble. Yet viewed as a society, that’s exactly how America’s government feels. By extension, that’s how we Americans are perceived. In case you were still wondering (meaning, in case you have your head up your ass) that’s why the world hates us.

Post-election time, I had such high hopes. I thought it was a wonderful Christmas present, to give to all the families and friends of those put in harm’s way for the Bush Cheney Rumsfeld war-profiteering cartel. Merry Christmas, I thought. Your present is the American people voted against the Project for a New American Century (www.newamericancentury.org) goon squad. Your loved one will fight for the oil barons no more. They’re coming home.

How naïve.

Cheney is all about expanding executive power. Bush will never concede one inch even when the American people are against him. That sounds too much like a dictator to me. Just like Saddam. The world would be a better place without the likes of Saddam, Bush, Osama, Cheney, and Rumsfeld. Anyone who wants to use other people and kill them or have them killed for their own lofty bookish goals (that turn to blood once they leave the page) deserves to die like Saddam.

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Larry Nocella is the award-winning author of the novel Where Did This Come From? available at Amazon and Xlibris and other fine online book stores. Also, for a limited time, Where Did This Come From? is available as an eBook for only ONE DOLLAR. Visit Larry Nocella's website at www.LarryNocella.com.