The fastest way to lose readers is also the fastest way to gain them. Pick a controversial topic and write about it. Don’t straddle the fence either- take a position and own it.
If the Shmata Queen ever decides to return from her self imposed exile she will tell you that I used to do that very thing. This blog used to be filled with posts on politics and religion and the comment section was often bloody.
Some of that blood is on my head and hands. When I engage in the heat of battle I am not very gentle nor am I good about taking prisoners. It isn’t always one of my finer qualities but it is who I am. I am a Taurus and if you poke the bull you often get the horns and the hooves and not the way you prefer them.
What Made You Stop Writing Those Posts
I never officially stopped writing them but I did get bored with it all. A million different debates that skipped civility and went straight to mud slinging made me ask whether there weren’t better ways to use my time. Though I am not afraid of disagreement it seemed like the smarter course of action was to build consensus and that rarely happened.
Not to mention the influx of trolls, most of whom show up every time I write about being a staunch Zionist Jew who thinks that the U.N. is a joke, that the International Red Cross failed Gilad Shalit and doesn’t believe that George Bush should be indicted for war crimes.
FWIW, I am neither Democrat nor Republican. A long time ago the parties left me and so I decided that since neither one of them truly represented me any more I would leave them and vote solely based upon the issues meaning I cross party lines as needed.
I don’t believe that either side is trying to destroy the good old U.S. of A. and get irritated when I get a million emails telling me that Republicans/Democrats and the devil and the only good liberal/conservative is a dead one.
What Do You Think About Occupy Wall Street
The Occupy Wall Street movement makes me crazy. I am a fierce defender of the First Amendment and support the right to assemble and vocalize our opinions. I think that the banks owe the American people a huge debt and that they are failing us. We bailed them out with our tax dollars. We gave them the cash with the provision that it would be used to help people and it is not happening.
I pay a ridiculous amount of money for healthcare. I haven’t seen my dentist in a year because I can’t afford to pay for my teeth and my children. I have them in a private school because their local elementary school was failing and education is of paramount importance.
So if you ask me if I am angry about things I will say yes. I will tell you that I am furious and I want change. But I don’t believe the Occupy Wall Street Movement has the answer and here is why.
I haven’t seen a list of demands and a plan of action. Instead I have seen a list of things that they would like change but as far as I know it is an unofficial list. And might I add that I don’t agree with a lot of the items on there. Look, I am pissed off that I can’t fly and that some people think that Twilight is art but so what.
What I want to see is a realistic and actionable list of change. I want a plan and I want structure. Give me three items that you think are a problem. Tell me why and then tell me how you want to affect change. That makes sense to me. That provides a realistic chance to make a positive change and impact millions of lives.
But The Police Are Mean
STFU for a moment and think. There are good cops and there are bad cops. I am sure that some of these police officers are guilty of bad things and should be prosecuted for them. But they aren’t all bad and frankly I am tired of using my tax dollars to pay for them to watch over you protesters.
Yes, that is right. We are spending money we don’t have to keep an eye on these tent cities. That money could be applied to infrastructure in the cities. It could be used to repair roads, maintain power lines, fund education and do a million other things.
Now if you had a real plan and structure I might feel differently. If I felt like you were doing something to really change the country I would feel differently.
Frankly if I had the power I would check the voting records of every one of you guys. I don’t care who you voted for or what the issues were- all I want to know is if you voted.
If you didn’t vote and were eligible for it I would fine your ass. If you don’t vote you gave up your right to complain.
Bottom line time. I want to see change. I don’t think things are hunky-dory but I want action. I don’t want lip service. I won’t listen to either side point fingers. Shut up, come up with a solution and then execute it. The time to complain is over. Now is the time for action.
As I was reading this…John Williams was conducting the Boston Pops version of “The Battle Hymn of The Republic”… in my brain.
John Williams is one of my favorites. Good music is so important and a big part of my life. How about yours?
I agree with you, Jack. A few of my thoughts on OWS, let’s go:
Washington is likely more at fault for the eco’ meltdown than the “greedy banks” or “evil corporations”. Where is the wisdom in a government forking over millions of my tax bucks to banks that made poor decisions?
Does anyone else suspect OWS would be Occupy Washington if Bush was in office?
Remember when Clinton was coercing banks into lending mortgage money to low income families, threatening “investigations” on the banks if they didn’t comply and lend regardless of risk? Follow the history here and you’ll agree on who’s more at fault.
And why aren’t OWS crew boycotting evil corporations? This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2qqRFYv3ao&feature=player_embedded
There is so much craziness involved in all of this- just chaps my hide to no end.
The U N a joke; c’mon, quit teasing…
I’m still trying to get used to Jack in a blue house.
And FWIW, you can never have too much insurance………….doh…..I know health care is no laughing matter and that is one system that is FUBAR.
Rant on my friend; I’m waiting for any leader to reach across all party lines and find a way to influence significant change in a positive way.
Bill,
I have lots of insurance stories and given the cash would always buy more. You really can’t have enough.
I like this blue house- very soothing.
My thoughts exactly, Jack. Nothing wrong with the protests, but there is no plan. The best way to do it would be to protest with your wallet. Don’t buy corporate.
My protest action? Make more of an effort to take care of your own. Expend bigger effort. Stop worrying about Wall Street and the gov’t and make sure your own house is in order.
My two cents. Peace.
Hi Joe,
We are on the same page here. I respect their energy and time. I think it is great that they are trying to do something but the method is wrong.
Protesting with the wallet is always an effective tool- people respond to financial concerns.
Its time for action indeed. Those people in the makeshift city are probably very poor or in dire finances and they have no other occupation other than wall street. Thats my opinion of some in the group. They probably feel like they have no chance of success or obtaining a job. For the sake of hope itself they are panick stricken by the look of the future of their kids and clinging to wall street to hope on some.
If somone can draft a formal demand to change a certain law to their benefit
or something and they could easily put signatures on it to move the law forward.
But no one seems to want to help them.
I know a bunch of the people who are protesting in several cities and they aren’t poor or homeless. They aren’t what you could call wealthy either.
I am sure that there are people who aren’t doing well and who could be called poor but the fundamental problems remain. Without change in tactics they will see no change.
Ah, I KNEW I like you! Now I like you all the more! Fantastic post! Great read first thing this Monday – thank you!
Please continue to write your heart out because it’s such a gift. I’m 100% with you on Occupy Wall Street! Have a fantastic day and Happy Halloween!
Much kindness,
Elena
Hi Elena,
Happy Halloween to you too. Don’t what I would do with myself if I couldn’t write.
Jack doesn’t feel his insight and voice is represented by OWS, but Jack isn’t on the front line either. Thats not a dig on Jack! Because I know Jack has things to do. Put food on the table. Keep his kids in private school. Teach his kids about life, death, and the world.
I don’t see what voting has to do with anything, Jack. Voting is important and yet it’s also a rigged game. Saying that if someone has’t voited, they should STFU is just like saying that if you aren’t on the front line in Oakland, STFU. [grin]
The thing is that Jack can do something more than he is doing. Jack is smart enough, thoughtful enough, and insightful enough to contribute to a coherent, cohesive, and intelligent OWS message. He can put things out there. He can plant seeds in the hearts and minds of the kiddos on the front lines.
Because he’s a daddy. Because hes a daddy blogger and, perhaps, the best daddy in the world. Because he’s got Klout!
Stan,
I don’t see voting as a rigged game and don’t believe it to be such. It is a more complex comment/question/thought than you or I have issued here but I’ll say a bit more.
I am not talking about one set of elections but all- local, state and Federal. Your vote is your voice. Your vote is you taking a stand on issues. Not voting is you letting it go whichever way without concern for whether it helps/hurts you.
I have had discussions with people who are out at OWS which is part of why I am so irritated. They and I aren’t completely at odds but the method for change needs work.
I wouldn’t expect anything less than ‘highly charged’ from you Jack, and this isn’t a vindication – it’s a testament to your ability to rouse even the calmest of rabbles.
You’re a Taurus then? I’m Cancer, and Cancers are famed for their ability to go with the flow, and retreat into their shell if necessary. Therefore, it’s unlikely that I’ll write something for the purpose of controversy, but if it happens to be controversial (as has happened before), then I accept it and deal with it as best as I can.
The time has always been for action Jack, people just need to see this 🙂
Hi Stu,
I only wish that I was better about going along with the flow. As I get older it gets easier but still…
You are so very right that the time has always been for action. We’ll work on helping people understand that.