I've lost much of my humanity.

[katsy]

Gerald Ford died and I don't care. I don't care if msm thinks he's great or not. I give him little or no thought.

It's an absence of compassion. I don't feel like dancing on his grave (which I would had it been a member of the bush family), but otherwise I feel no pain.

Pickles got skin cancer and I didn't care about that either. I wouldn't have cared if it were life-threatening... as long as it were her life that was threatened.

I have lost ALL ability to care about the boo-boos, trials & tribulations or even death of any person in the ruling class bar none. I say bar none because I fear that I wouldn't care if the death were that of a great Democratic leader. For many reasons, any pain or death of anyone in the ruling class leaves me cold.

I freaked out when I read this thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2985726

My blood boils when a young black boy is beaten by officers in Florida and killed. When kids are tasered regardless of the circumstances. I cry for my children because the ruling class have determined that the great unwashed masses don't need a quality education. That is a privilige reserved for the haves and have mores. I cry for the poor people in New Orleans who were subjected to the worst treatment imaginable... then ignored. I grieve for a country that tortures anyone... even a monster. I cry for the people who have no health insurance and can't afford to take care of themselves so they could live to a ripe age of 93, of which I'm one. Giving to a charity for the poor is not a choice for me no matter my circumstances. It's an imperative.

But I can't feel for the ruling class. I don't care about them. They are not worthy of my compassion. They have taken care of themselves quite well indeed. And I've yet to find one bloody act of selflessness on their part... not the kind of selflessness that Dr. Martin Luther King and Ghandi embraced. Cutting a check to charity and getting a tax break in return doesn't cut it with me. I do that without taking a tax break (deliberate on my part) and I'm not even a member of the "haves".

So... sayonara Gerald. I won't be among those with one kind word for you. Indeed, I'll ignore your passing as best I can. I won't sit the kids in front of the boob tube and tell them you're a hero. Because I can't think of one heroic thing you stand for. None of your "class" has passed the smell test as far as I'm concerned.

[Bake]

1. I didn't shed a single tear, either.

Doesn't mean I'm not (or that you're not) human. He lived to the age of 93, a lot older than many people make it. He had a cushy life in a powerful job. I'm not going to dance on his grave, but I didn't shed a tear, either.

I shed a tear when I hear about another atrocity in Iraq, or people in NOLA still without basic services.

Bake

[verse18]

2. You haven't lost your humanity-

You reserve your compassion for people who deserve it. Not criminals and their enablers.

[Monkeyman]

5. Agree

[personman]

40. I agree too

Sounds more like the OP is gaining historical perspective and has a highly developed sense of right and wrong to me, but I'm completely biased of course because I happen to agree with them. :)

Awesome post as well (to the OP) I think you've summed up well what a lot of us are feeling.

[Annces]

3. I agree with your post

I don't want to see another royal funeral like the one given for Reagan. Where is the huge mourning for those who died in New Orleans.

[Leftist78]

4. Thank you

for giving us a little perspective on Ford's death. It would be a great world if the politicians and the msm would do these kinds of tributes to some of the people you mentioned, but as we all know, they don't matter.

[jgraz]

6. wow -- it doesn't sound like you've lost anything

At least nothing of value. I'm not sure what the definition of "humanity" is, but if it involves getting sentimental over the death of some 93-year-old Republican, I say good riddance.

Crying over Ford's death does nothing to improve our current situation. Crying over the Katrina victims or young poor black men being ruined by our criminal "justice" system is much more likely to bring about change.

So call it humanity or compassion or whatever you like. I share your priorities and I think the world would be a lot better if more people did.

[renie408]

7. To be dead honest, I don't give a shit about Ford either. He was 93, for god's sake.

I don't care if you don't care. But I also don't care if somebody else does. I also think it is fairly obvious that the beating death of a young person, African American or not, is more tragic and should be more noteworthy than the passing of ANY 93 year old guy (I got a kick out of it when NPR said that the cause of death was unknown. How about the cause of death was...HE WAS SERIOUSLY FRIGGING OLD!!).

I do not share your general disdain of anybody in the ruling class. If Bill Gates hadn't made the money he has, then he and his wife wouldn't be able to do the things they are. Yeah, I am sure he could give it all away and live in a hut, but do you live in a hut? Couldn't you give the money you are paying for your internet connection to the poor? So, I guess it is all relative.

[katsy]

17. If I gave up my internet connection...

my family would not eat and we'd be homeless. I have an online business. I work 18-20/7 as my SO has been outsourced.

Bill Gates is not part of the "ruling" elite I speak of.

Microsoft's corporate behavior is a discussion is best left to people more knowledgeable than myself.

[renie408]

24. I don't really expect you to give up your internet connection

or live in a hut. I honestly don't know nuthin about Microsoft. Bill Gates is just the richest guy I could think of (I guess because he is the richest guy) and I have heard a lot lately about the Gates Foundation (the kid's donated $10 each for mosquito nets through a program sponsored by the Gates Foundation right before Christmas).

[katsy]

29. I know you didn't expect that.

It's politicians that have created a vacuum in my very being where I feel nothing for their pain.

It's the death of the founding father's vision for this great country.

It's the spying and torturing and sheer neglect for people who can't buy politician's favors.

I don't like feeling this way.

[renie408]

31. I am sorry. I have been through periods of apathy.

You need to take a break. Seriously. Get off the DU and stay away from politics for awhile. Get some distance. We have a breather before things really crank up for '08. Last year I was feeling somewhat the way you do now. I took about a year off. I feel recharged and a lot better. Now I just have to stop myself from becoming addicted to this stuff again.

Peace and good luck.

[Lost4words]

44. So you have a job? Its not hitting you in the face every day?

Must be nice, I think you should count your blessings, many of us are not as fortunite.

[Lost4words]

43. I agree with the original post 100%.

I wonder what percentage of Gates wealth is going into charity? Do you know? Just curious.

Damn few are speaking out about the crisis effecting the working class of the United States.

[Greyhound]

46. 0% if by "going to charity" you mean what % he is giving that represents a

monetary loss. His foundation and contributions are carefully calculated so that they are usually profitable and never, ever, ever, represent a loss of capital.

The Gates Foundation is primarily a tax dodge, as was Buffet's contribution.

[lonestarnot]

8. OMG. All I had to read was the first sentence.

In fact, I haven't read further, so I will go back and read your post, but let me guess. It has guilt in it somewhere? bbbbbbbwwwwwa :rofl: I hope NOT!

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. Gerald who?

[lonestarnot]

10. Wooodamnwhooooo!

No guilt! :toast: Yeahya baby, a new favorite DUer!

[katsy]

26. See what I mean?

YOU just made me soooo happy.

So how can the death of an ex-president mean so little to me?

This country needs some inspiration and leadership in the worst way.

Oh yeah -

:hug:

[lonestarnot]

37. Well this period of time is the time that the entire world is thirsting

for leadership. It will become so bad that if we haven't already fallen we will fall for even a worse disaster than bushitler.

[Tin Man]

11. Have you looked under the sofa cushions?

:shrug:

[katsy]

20. Hmmmm....

Let me see.

Nothing under here.

Nothing under there.

What was it I was looking for?

Oh yeah. My humanity. Must be hidden with those damned wmds.

[EFerrari]

42. lol

[seabeyond]

12. the man was 92 yrs and had a very full life. i dont get what you are

suppose to feel that you are missing. the man had a good life. he lived long. had people that loved him. he is gone. at 92. i dont feel the need for feeling sad and i certainly feel no need to being angry at the man and full of hate and ugliness

[renie408]

14. THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!

I also think that being angry and full of hate and ugliness is a pointless waste of emotional energy.

[katsy]

16. No hate. No ugliness.

Nothing.

Don't project feelings I don't have upon me.

Feeling nothing about his death is bad enough.

There passed a man with the power and wealth to make a difference. What difference did he make?

[seabeyond]

19. i project nothing onto you

i am speaking hate and ugliness from the many threads.

you want to judge the man on the difference he made on this world .... go for it. not my job, nor do i have the desire. a 92/93 yr old man died last night. end of the story for me.

[katsy]

21. Wish I were angry.

I have compassion even for trapped bugs and my kids carry them out of the house alive and well.

It's hard for me because it's so out of character to feel - emptiness, nothing.

[seabeyond]

33. but this is what i was posting to on your post

what are you suppose to feel? a sadness that the man lasted until 92. if only i make it to 80, geez (i smoke) 65 i will be happy. i dont think there is anything to feel sadness or compassion for on this particular situation. nor did i with reagan, so old and so sick. was a blessing he going, and allowing his family the end. i dont think there is anything for yout o feel. not to mention you dont know the man..... not attached to any kind of loss.

anyway.... take care

[Der Blaue Engel]

13. Thank you, Katsy, for putting this in perspective

It's not about "kicking a corpse," it's about whether or not grieving is warranted. I was not saddened by the death of Nixon or Reagan, and I am not saddened by Ford's. This makes neither you nor I cold-hearted or inhuman. It makes us real people with rational, understandable responses to national and global events.

I am sorry for the family of Gerald Ford, as I would be for anyone who loses a loved-one, but I am not personally sorry that he's gone.

[nashville_brook]

15. this is NOT losing your humanity! this is embracing YOUR humanity...

see... the MSM wants us to identify with the ruling class and cry rivers for their skin cancers, tummy tucks and deaths at ripe old ages that most won't have the healthcare to acheive.

NO, you are not LOSING your humanity -- you are reclaiming YOUR right to decide where you will spend your human energy. good for you, i say! i couldn't agree more with everything you say. thank you for this important thread! :hug:

[katsy]

23. Thank you.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

18. Yep. And I'm not impressed by their successes, either

A few weeks ago Chelsea Clinton got some kind of plum position and people were lauding her for it on this board. I'm sure she's a fine and intelligent young woman and all, but let's face it, her name will open more doors for her than anything she will do on her own. On the other hand, when a poor kid from the projects goes far, it truly is cause for celebration. Because despite the constant refrain from the mouthpieces of the ruling class, not just anyone can make it in this country. It is incredibly rare for someone from the proletariat to make it into the upper echelon. The REAL affirmative action is the kind that the sons and daughters of the elite get as a matter of course. It hasn't changed. If anything, it's getting worse due to regressive economic and social policies.

[katsy]

35. Of course.

“The ideas of the ruling class are in every epoch the ruling ideas; i.e., the class, which is the ruling material force of society, is at the same time its ruling intellectual force. The class which has the means of material production at its disposal, has control at the same time over the means of mental production….” — The German Ideology, 1847.

[blues90]

22. I don't feel anything either

All I see is a man who was part of a chain who brought us right where we are today .

They also made a big deal when Reagan expired , look what we have to thank him for .

If and when the day ever comes when all citizens are all looked upon as humans and all have healthcare equal to the people many seem to consider kings in the government and we have real working wages then I will feel part of this country rather than being expected to grieve the death of the few up on top of the heap .

[yy4me]

25. You mean you will not sit in front of the tube all day and watch

the state funeral with all the pomp and circumstance. How many millions for this extravaganza? Good grief, I'm getting cantankerous I guess. I wish his family would have the good sense to call it a private ceremony, bury him and not bring this spectacle to us as Nancy Reagan did. His presidency was an accident of fate. His life was longer than most of us will ever see. Good-bye Gerald...leave it at that!

[Virginia Dare]

27. I feel deep contempt...

he didn't shepherd us through a rough time, he facilitated criminals getting away with their crimes.

To his family and friends, he may have been a decent man, but I can't forgive him for what he allowed to happen to our country, plus Rummy and Cheney suckled on his tit.

[pitohui]

28. you haven't lost your humanity, you've gained your common sense

there is no reason on god's green earth why we should sit and weep for the class that wages war on us and any hope of our young people's future

it is fair to pardon the nixons of the world when all the little people are pardoned ... FIRST

[nini]

30. Now you can see how they can not give a shit about others

They don't give a shit about the poor - not their class and are have nots. Basically the same reasoning - they don't see any humanity in any not in their 'class'.


Please don't care about people because of 'who' they are - not what class they are. That's a might broad brush you use.

[katsy]

32. Maybe I've embraced the phantom class war the rulers of this country

always like to accuse populists of waging. Well, I'm ready to wage this class war now and the focus of my disdain is the ruling elitist politicians.

Let me narrow the broad brush... by the ruling class - I'm referring to politicians whom I believe are bought and paid for by big corporate money. Then their partners in crime want us to eulogize and share in their grief that yet another of their criminal cabal has died.

Well... good riddance. One more down.

[nini]

39. No one said you have to give a shit about him dying

But if it consumes you to NOT give a shit you're missing the real battles in your 'class war'. There are far more important issues in the battle to concentrate on.


The over reaction of the 'who cares?' here is a bit much, and I'm not talking about just you.

[AikidoSoul]

34. You're being humane. How is that "losing" humanity?

Certainly you must know that.

It's those jerks in this fascist administration that have lost their humanity.

[katsy]

36. Do you remember the deaths of the Kennedys, MLK Jr.?

My parents grieved. People all around me grieved. America grieved. This brought the nation together somehow. Maybe it was by reflecting upon great leadership that led to reaffirming our collective humanity and pride in our nation. I'm not sure. Maybe the idea that this is an uninspired nation gnaws at me.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

38. Lord Acton's axioms are all too true.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Gerald Ford proved to be no exception to the rule.

And,

"The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern." Lord Acton, Letter to Mary Gladstone, 1881

[Philosoraptor]

41. I hear ya.

[EstimatedProphet]

45. Doesn't sound to me like you've lost your humanity

It's hard to be concerned about the passing of a 93 year old man that was blessed with being in charge of the country, and having his needs met for probably about all of his life, when compared to people dying for no reason in Iraq or being beaten to death by police or drowning in New Orleans. IMO your humanity is working.

[Danger Mouse]

47. It's no big deal, really...

...I wouldn't wish harm upon them, really...but...
I heard he was dead and I said. 'Oh, that's a shame.'
There are much bigger tragedies in our world than the death of a Republican who lived a long, long life.