This is the Life That Is

History

I'm not a classical history buff, meaning the stuff that you hear about in American History class and such.  I've had, if possible, a NEGATIVE interest in American history.  My historical lust is for things I know personally, such as the old institution where I work, the old neighborhood where I used to live.

However, I recently had a yen to return to, and take daughter Ka*tie to, the FDR Memorial in Washington, DC.  Not out of any love for history--I couldn't have even told you when FDR was president, or which came first, FD or T R.  I just really, really like the memorial.  It is a place, not a thing.  You experience it, you don't just look at it. 

When I saw it 6 years ago, I didn't really pay more than passing attention to the plaques with quotes on them.  I was more captivated by the waterfalls, the sculptures.  On THIS visit, though, the quotes seemed to have been placed as a secret, although blatant, communication.  And many people seemed to be hearing it, and taking pictures, as was I.

You'll have to click on these pictures to enlarge them so you can read the quotes, but it is worth the trouble.  I assume that they are also on the website.  There isn't much I can say to add to them, so I'll just put them up here for you to appreciate.  It was incredible to me how timely they all seemed...

HAPPY FLAG DAY

Now They've Hit Me Where it Hurts

If there was ANY doubt that we are under a fascist regime, it was removed with the publication of this piece (this link won't take you directly--you'll have to type in "Public Broadcasting Targeted By House") on the front page of the Washington Post this morning.  The "elimination within two years of all federal money for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting" is being billed NOT as a political move (!!??) but as merely "making choices among worthy government programs".  It is not a surprise, given the recent rumblings and insertion of conservative oversight to NPR.  It is also not a surprise that our present government would strive to cut off probably the best known and most utilized source of unbiased (and therefore threatening) information.

I know that IQ is very questionable in validity, and is supposedly a fixed number, but I would swear that mine has increased by 20 points since I discovered public radio.  I have learned more, become a more interesting and rounded person.  My peers sometimes question how I am aware of such a variety of subjects--and I admit, it feels like cheating--to learn in such a painless, enjoyable manner.

I guess that my political fervor has dropped lately--due more to a feeling of utter hope and helplessness than anything else.  The publication of this piece has revived my determination to do what I can, which will begin with writing letters to elected officials.

I know this is just another in a series of actions that are systematically destroying the environment, our relations with the rest of the world, and the health and well-being of the "smaller people" of this country (i.e. just about every average person).  But if they have their way, soon we will no longer have a ready means of knowing what is going down, so that it can be protested.  I am truly in fear of the future.