I am tired of it.

[northamericancitizen]

Tired of reading about the last MSM injustice.

Tired of reading about Tweety. (Sorry, is it a She or He?) I know I should know but I am too lazy to go look it up)

Tired of trying to figure out the American Liberal (Democrat, Left, Open Minded) consensus. (Frequent 200+ comments on smoking, abortion, guns, death penalty, religion etc.) (*)

The survival of your(economic) Nation, it's disappearing middle class and the erosion of many basic rights are at stakes and you are arguing about some politically correct way to....pick a topic.

Give me a fucking break.

I am Tired of feeling sad for your loss:
The American Dream is not The Answer anymore.

Imagine and create a new one. A new American way of being, coming from your heart with you values. Not one based on profits and on BIGGER is BETTER.

Learn to shrug off the "despise" you feel from other countries. Admit what's real in it and then tap into you collective pride to change the course bushco's is setting for all of you and ultimately for all of us.

I can't and I won't try telling you what that pride was and still can be based on. YOU are the only one who can figure it out.

___________________________________________________________________

I already hear some of your angry voices: "Mind your own business, we don't need you." If you feel this way, fellow Duer, I am sorry cause even if you're not ready to acknowledge it, you guys need support and energy from all of us outside the United States of America. By all of us I mean the people like me and million others who grew up admiring and/ despising the American culture.

A way of life that brought (in no particular order) Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney world, Big Steaks on BBQ, middle class with bungalows and Ed Sullivan. The man on the Moon and Elvis. Big Brother, 1984, Faulkner, Marilyn, Tender is the Night and New York. TVs and computers. Declaration of Independence and The Constitution...and so much more.

On the other hand the American way of life brought also: ...

I don't want to write that list.I read about it every day and so do you.


People around me don't get and don't want to know about your problems. In the last 2 years many scolded me for being so involved with the American politics and the erosions of your rights.

My answer never changed even if I don't elaborate anymore: what's happening in the US is going to directly affect us.

The US government is used to run the show everywhere and whenever.
Not for much longer.
According to some international observers the UN is regrouping and may be our salvation to us all on this planet cause now other big gamblers are sitting at the table.
So the arrogant bad manners American Representatives are slowly being dismissed as ignorant, cupid bullies. (In my book they are the quintessence of machism.)

Let them rot.

Ah.... the pleasure of writing those words. Again and again...

_________________________________________________________________________

I know I should have elaborate more on many statements I brought forth. Sorry about that. If I had done so I probably would have got lost in my never stopping brain of mine. I guess I lack self discipline. Intellectually... lol

For every sentences you read, I wrote multiple paragraphs that I later deleted.

For the same reason, I apologize in advance to any Duer wishing for a written debate. It won't happen.
I am not comfortable enough on DU and in English. Call it shyness or excessive pride whatever.

Peace

northamericancitizen

[darkmaestro019]

1. I found your English lovely.

Little odd here and there, in that indefinable way, but MUCH better than a lot of English I see from native speakers. Thank you for your post.

[northamericancitizen]

2. My very first acknowledgement ..

I am crying from joy.

I don't even have words left. The purest joy.


lise

[Sugar Smack]

3. How can so few words be so powerful?

You did it, somehow. You urge people to focus on their spirit. I'm bookmarking and nominating this thread. Thank you for your rant. :toast:

[stellanoir]

4. Well here's another acknowledgement

"The American Dream is not The Answer anymore.

Imagine and create a new one. A new American way of being, coming from
your heart with you values. Not one based on profits and on BIGGER is
BETTER".

Romanticism of the American Dream has never resonated with me and I'm
a 13th generation American. Sadly the basis for a great deal of the
American Dream finds it's roots in greed and selfishness. I couldn't agree with you more in terms of the need to create a new one instead of
lamenting what we've lost ad nauseum.

I'd love to see all you deleted.

I sometimes wonder if I wouldn't be far happier if I ignored politics and all it's vitriole. But curiousity gets to me every time.

FYI Tweety = Chris Matthews who is just another overpaid pundit on MSNBC with his head up his ass and is not at all worthy of your attention.

[northamericancitizen]

10. Deleted explanations or nuances.

I am gratefull for the second acknowledgement.

I started a reply an hour ago. lol

Most of the deleted paragraphs were either explanations or precisions. I kept them somewhere on my comp.

You mentionned american romantism.... I think I might be guilty of falling for that.

Curiosity will aways be an essential quality for going forward but I too spend too much time feeding it.

It means less time to enjoy whatever we should be doing, instead of learning.

[marions ghost]

16. Yes we need a new collective dream

it will be those who envision that new dream who will lead.

[Alamom]

5. We do need you & your clarity of thought on the "BIG PICTURE"

you see here. Thank you.

[zanne]

12. BUT, as someone told me...

Before I went to England to be an exchange student, "Don't insult their culture and they won't insult yours". It might be a screwed-up country, but it's MY screwed-up country.

[Hissyspit]

6. # 5

[annabanana]

7. Which of these things is not like the others...

Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney world, Big Steaks on BBQ, middle class with bungalows and Ed Sullivan. The man on the Moon and Elvis. Big Brother, 1984, Faulkner, Marilyn, Tender is the Night and New York. TVs and computers. Declaration of Independence and The Constitution.


One of these things is the road map to sanity. Another is certainly worth saving. The rest are either window dressing or part of the problem.

Thank you for your heartfelt post.

[northamericancitizen]

8. You got me thinking. TY eom

[Goblinmonger]

19. Faulkner is worth saving, too.

He might be a little inaccessible if you are not a good reader, but he SURELY ain't part of the problem.

[sandnsea]

9. We are only 5%

The other 95% of the world might take some of the advice you've given us for themselves.

[rman]

11. "UN regrouping, may be our salvation" - can you say New World Order?

The fact that the other big gamblers who are sitting at the table are cooperating with the US for the most part, does not bode well.

[Brazenly Liberal]

13. A certain amount of navel-gazing can be a good thing.

Both ours that you're tired of and yours that you seem to feel you need to reign in. The key to wisdom is knowing when it's time to stop thinking and start acting. Sounds simple, but it's actually pretty tricky in practice.

The United States is, in some ways, an enfant terrible who peaked too soon, found too much success at a young age, and is desperate to hold onto it. To be the most powerful nation in the world is a terrible responsibility and a heady experience, the more so when it happens so relatively early in a country's history.

Yes, we do need to find a way to redefine ourselves. We need to figure out how to keep our pride while losing our hubris. There is much that is good about us, some that is bad. We need to learn as a nation that there is honor in saying "I was wrong." We need to get better at seeing the rest of the world as worthy of genuine respect, not the smarmy, condescending, wink wink nudge nudge, "see how benevolent I can be" we too often display. We need to be better at seeing ourselves as one relatively new member of an old world.

We're in a sea change. We're, all of us - Americans and those who love/hate us - part of a critical moment in history. One we can't always see clearly because we're too close to it.

Please don't hesitate to speak up. Every day, I encounter native English speakers who mangle the language nearly beyond recognition. Your usages are a little quirky, but charming. More importantly, what counts is what you have to say - not how you say it.

[northamericancitizen]

14. "We're in a sea of changes". So true.

I like your image of an "enfant terrible who peaked to soon".

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[marions ghost]

15. Thanks for your thoughts, northamericancitizen

Yes we must look to the future, but getting out of the current nightmare is difficult. It must be done step-by-step, brick by brick, slowly but surely. Your frustration is our frustration. Know this: with stolen elections and a corporate-controlled media it is a struggle--a Herculean effort--to bring about changes. Ask yourself how easy it would be to fight the Mafia, a group operating outside normal boundaries and scruples. That is what we are dealing with in opposing the current government. In a relatively short span of time liberals have been effectively disenfranchised and silenced, EXCEPT for the internet. That's why we around here at DU obsess about the MSM so much--because we know how it controls what the majority of Americans think about the slightest issue. And because the world of information is so complex these days, it's no surprise that people seek a filter in order to cope with it. Our primary filter--the corporate media--has failed us miserably. It is important to use the internet to document and illustrate how the Mass Media Mind Control System works, for ourselves and others to see.

We at DU and other progressive websites and blogs are fighting The War of Words and Images. We are putting some degree of pressure on the powers that be, and we are educating those who are ready--those who sense that the MSM lies and omits and spins. The MSM insults us all and treats us like children, and it doesn't take a PHd to see this once your eyes are open. Picking apart the MSM --IS a Big Picture focus. Picking apart the byzantine, largely corrupt and dysfunctional election system (state-by-state) --IS a Big Picture focus. Following and supporting the efforts of those in the Justice System who are trying to expose the corruption perpetrated by hoards of white collar criminals --IS a Big Picture focus. Many of those who post on DU also do work on these issues in an active way. Not only by working in various organizations, but just look at the spontaneous outpouring of support for Cindy Sheehan, for example. I wonder how much news of anti-war efforts in the US filters into Canada, since it is censored in the US? Re. Iraq --I wish that other countries would put MORE pressure on the US--(Tony Blair had his chance, didn't he?) Re. Iran--WILL the World intervene in yet another imperialist act of US aggression? But as for the war here at home, there is work going on all around the country. It feels like we are trying desperately to treat the various cancer sites within our body politic. But right now it's hard to tell if we will save the patient.

It may be hard for those in functional democracies to understand how it feels to be under the thumb of an oppressive regime. You cannot imagine the depression and powerlessness. Unlike your average Banana Republic, we have the additional psychological disconnect of being taught from birth that we live in a great democracy --whereas the ugly truth is that democracy is being dismantled on a daily basis from the inside by our un-elected "leaders" preying on our weaknesses. There is a lot of resistance to facing that overwhelming horror, as I think you would find in any 'democratic' country plunged into such a time of darkness. To use a familiar analogy, we are being raped and abused by our fathers and mothers--ie. by those we trusted to protect us and work in our best interests. At first there is shock and denial. And shame. But now that things are so very bad, the hard realization is finally sinking into the brainwashed populace and the grieving and "waking up" stages will follow. You have to realize that the average American is far behind DUers in understanding the seriousness of this. They are just now catching on that this Bushonian Era is indeed a Reign of Terror.

Comedian Stephen Colbert recently called the current US ship of state, "The Hindenberg." As we know the Hindenberg ultimately blows up and disintegrates. Some of us riding the Hindenberg may seem to be only chatting and knitting like Mme Defarge during the French Revolution. But don't underestimate the power of Mme Defarge and her symbolic connection with the Fates, who in Greek mythology, were three sisters weaving the cloth of human life. In finding our collective voice under extreme duress, we are piecing the quilt from which the future will be made. And the future will most certainly be better than this Republican-induced Very Bad Trip. At some distant point in time we may look back at the excesses of the current regime as the impetus for REAL changes within. We are impatient too, but the Big Wheel is turning now...the Big Wheel is turning. Stay tuned.

[northamericancitizen]

20. Wow, it could take me forever to answer. lol

First let me answer your question about " how much news of anti-war efforts in the US filters into Canada, since it is censored in the US?".

The MSM are not as bad on this side of the border. Not yet anyway and the Net is (for the time being) alive with individuals pushing for the truth.

I think I learned more in the last 2 years about the American politics than most average americans.

That's why it' so frustrating at times.

For I feel your collective sadness and anger and I would like to be doing much more than Duing polls or signing petitions.

Peace

lise

[marions ghost]

21. Thanks for sharing

this particular journey with us. You obviously feel the pain. I can understand how Canadians and people from other countries would want to look the other way...you know how it is when someone has a bad illness or crisis in their lives--that's when they find out who their true friends are. Many just can't look at it for fear of catching something, or fear of becoming emotionally involved. So I appreciate your caring enough to speak your mind about it.

I believe this is a critical period for us here and for all those around the world who want something better than this sad state of affairs. We really are in this together. I have Australian friends who are very worried with good reason, that the follies of America will directly affect them--just as you in Canada feel. Actually the influence of Bushco has already affected the political picture in Australia, for the worse. Canada seems to be holding the line.

I understand your frustration in the face of what seems like stagnation, and the lack of a clear vision for the way out of this dark tunnel. Right now the battles are in the trenches. This agonizing period is a Dark Night of the Soul for the United States. The crystal ball is cloudy. There is only one way to get through such times, and that is to fight the demons and slog through it. I am encouraged by the bravery and doggedness of many of those who post at DU. And we all can be grateful for small signs of progress anywhere and everywhere. I am confident that if enough of us pull together the tipping point will be reached eventually. Look at the polls--at least two-thirds of the country are seriously unhappy. People are waking up from their fear-induced stupor now. A big reason it lasted so long was the 9-11 factor. It is shameful how easily that event was turned into "Attack Iraq" --even the intelligent and informed went along with that whole distortion to a great extent. Everyone can only look into themselves for the truth about that. Were our leaders "misled by faulty intelligence" or did they go along because their constituents were clamoring for blood? Everyone will be pointing fingers elsewhere, except those wise enough to have guessed that the Iraq adventure would be a failure at the outset.

I have confidence that as this awakening continues there will be opportunities for change. We need to be ready for that time. Tell us more about how you view it all. Help and feedback is good as we create anew. Think globally, y'know. So thanks for giving me a chance to express positive thoughts about where we find ourselves at this juncture. Personally I'm excited by the possibilities, once the Hindenberg goes down. It will be a new day :)

[cally]

23. Thank you for your post

It captures my mood and beliefs accurately. We are working to save this sinking ship even though we fight seemingly trivial battles. From the outside, it must look like we are nuts (in some ways we are) but we are trying. I see progress in that many seem to have acknowledged what this current regime is doing. Somehow the information is getting past the media filter.

[marions ghost]

24. Brick by brick

My mom accomplished many uphill battles in her life. Things that amazed people...because they seemed so impossible. I once asked her how she did it. Normally long-winded (a writer/journalist) her answer was uncharacteristically simple--"brick-by-brick." (Or maybe it was brick by (&%$#?) brick). I laughed at the truth of that at the time.

Glad you got something out of what turned out to be an essay. Guess the OP touched a nerve. Yes I think we should now take time out for feeling good--and confirm that we ARE making a contribution. It's like we are at the first camp in climbing Mount Everest. See you at the summit.

:grouphug:

[helderheid]

17. Your English is phenomenal!

[northamericancitizen]

18. TY helderheid. nt

[the other one]

22. The American Dream is for sleepers. Time to WAKE UP! nt.