We Regret to Inform You

This just in...NO global warming. That's right. After years of spouting about the evils of capitalism and America in general because we were giving the earth a fever which would lead to the annihilation of life as we know it, it turns out that this is, awkwardly enough for a whole bunch of people in general and Al Gore in particular, not true.

I'd be feeling a bit embarrassed right now if I were him. Meat-eaters cause more greenhouse gas emissions than the average American (Al Gore, perhaps tofurkey this holiday? Or, maybe just turn out some lights in your house which uses up more energy than some countries.) Turns out, scientists have been trying to get the truth out for awhile and have been consistently suppressed by some very powerful people in government. For more information, look at the Wall Street Journal, which recently cracked the story or Fox News.

Anyone feel like we just fell in to the middle of 1984, minus the rats? Apparently, the federal government (read certain people in positions of power) recently decided that scientists should no longer publish scientific papers which disagree with their opinions. The underlying foundation upon which all science is based (the law of reason and neutral research)is being targeted by those who would suppress all research and all discovery unless it is used to bolster opinions and beliefs that apparently can't be bolstered by something as trivial as, say, the TRUTH. (the motto of the entire federal government these days seems to be "You can't HANDLE the truth".) Strangely enough, (sarcasm there) this is exactly how dictators run their countries.

I'm going to make a prediction. No, I am not clairvoyant. I do not have "the second sight" as Professor Trelawney of Hogworts claims to have, though I must admit that it does feel a bit like Umbridge just took over the school (yes, I just finished The Order of the Phoenix after reading until 5:30am). My prediction comes because it is the inevitable step in the developing pattern. Throughout the history of civilization certain cycles have repeated themselves over and over again. It is therefore with some dreaded certaintly that I can say what I do now.

The government is not listening to the people's voices. Though people first thought that if we only spoke louder, or with more voices, or with better data, we could show the government that the majority do not want what they are doing, we have seen a consistent pattern of absolute and total disregard of the American people over the last several years. It has become apparent that they are no longer listening to our voices. Now people are using their votes. And the government seems to want that stopped as well (trying to extend legally mandated term limits, voter registration fraud, perhaps planning for 'crisis' to eliminate civil liberties such as voting altogether). I predict that unless the government realizes that it is, in fact, "By the people, OF the people, and FOR the people" that you will begin to see acts of civil disobedience because of Americans' frustration, anger, and determination to turn things around. Some Americans won't know what to believe. Others will give up. Some will join with the body in power and will, in fact, help suppress others (Inquisitor Malfoy anyone? We see this already occuring). And others, in an Order of the Phoenix moment, will decide that they will not sit idly by while truth is suppressed and those who say it are removed or smeared. They will create secret Harry Potteresque D.A. meetings to teach people what our civil liberties are and how to use the laws to fight back, take a more active approach magicking a swamp down one of the halls, or openly denounce the system and "give her hell, Peeves". They will fight in the only way they feel is still left open to them.

I hope that day doesn't come. I hope that the government will listen to the people again. But if the current trend continues this seems unlikely. At that point, each person will have to look very carefully into their own mind and heart and make a decision, knowing that there WILL be consequences to whatever choice they make. On this holiday, God Bless America, God bless us all, and may we be worthy of that blessing for many years to come.

You may now return to your regularly scheduled non-rant blog.