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budget, CBO, compusory service, Congress, Constitution, economy, GOP, health care act, Huckleberry Finn, Literature, Mark Twain, Michele Bachmann, military service, sociology
Nothing could be finer than to be in the 112th Congress, watching all the mutual self-pleasuring by the GOPers today. All those fresh-faced deluded newbies, all so sure they are gonna “shake up” Washington.
Today we humbly, and with great awe, read our “sacred” document, the US Constitution. But not just any old Constitution, but the new and sanitized version, you know the one without that troublesome stuff about certain people being 3/5 of a human being?
That sons and daughters of the republic was A MEND ed, and so we are gonna skip that part. No need to be reminded that our not so sacred forefathers were a bit on the bigoted side. That would not square with the story they are trying to tell. The GOP is always in control of the story–lie as it usually is.
So, we are treated to this pretense, with all the pomp and circumstance these somber, awed blowhards can muster before the cameras. Each solemnly walks to the podium and with deliberate seriousness, mouths the holy words. We sit in hushed silence, afraid to even breath, should we not exhibit the proper respect.
HOLY CRAP. Psst? Do they get it that the Articles of Confederation, that document of state’s rights, was SCRAPPED as unworkable in favor of a strong Federal Government?
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There is movement afoot to change the wording in Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. You have probably heard–to take out that “N” word. Such a thing is nonsense, and wrong. In my opinion. Twain was making a point, and the language used helps drive home that point. It reminds us of who we WERE and STILL ARE in some places.
We need to confront those ideas in our own heads, and in our communities. Not sanitize them, much as the crazy right-wing revisionists want to rewrite our history to make it Judeo-Christian in orientation, and plan. Truth is always the best defense.
Do you agree or not?
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Well, the computer has acted up, and went dead. When it revived and I got back to this post in progress, over 50% of it hadn’t been saved. Got just love that.
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I did write that the CBO had just screwed up the GOP’s claim that the Affordable Health Care act was “too expensive. It turns out that the repeal the GOP wants, but will never get, would cost 230 billion over ten years. Of course the GOP answers that by simply not paying any attention to the non-partisan body. They don’t count costs in cutting programs, just require finding money for new spending. Watch the deficit climb under them. If for sure is gonna happen.
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On another note, Infidel 753 has taken issue with TomCat at Politics Plus. I know the post in question, though I’ve fallen off Tom’s blog for a while now. It’s about compulsory national service. Either military or some sort of public works work. Infidel argues most convincingly it seems to me, that such is an affront to liberalism.
I hadn’t thought much about it, but I found his arguments persuasive. The discussion is worth your time I think.
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We here in Iowa are just bouncy bouncy, happy happy, wiggly, and jiggly, over the prospect that unfavorite daughter, Michele Bachmann is heading our way to discuss the relative merits of her tossing her wild eyes into the 2012 run for the WH. Yes, you heard that right. I am apoplectic with excitement.
Imagine seeing her and the Sarah on the same stage having a GOP debate? If you can call it a debate that is. Can’t you just die for it?
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What’s on the stove? Lasagna, salad, rolls
Related Articles
- Changing Huckleberry Finn Is To Change Mark Twain | Controversy Rages On (realestateradiousa.com)
- Sanitized Edition Of ‘Huckleberry Finn’ Causes Uproar (npr.org)
- Bring it on — Michele Bachmann mulls 2012 presidential bid (pinkbananaworld.com)
- The CBO tells Republicans what they don’t want to hear (washingtonmonthly.com)
- Funny how Boehner and Cantor used to like CBO (americablog.com)
- The rationale behind Cantor’s dishonesty (washingtonmonthly.com)
- GOP won’t count cost of repeal (politico.com)
- Cantor: Health Law Full of “Budget Gimmickry” (cbsnews.com)
Existential Ennui 
Usually I favor leaving an artists work the way it was created. Remember a few years back when Ted Turner decided to colorize all the old black and white movies? The intentions were noble, but pretty much everybody hated it.
Huck, though, is an exception to my rule. I think the negative connotations attached to the “N-Word” are much harsher now than they were when Twain used it, and I think it actually gets in the way of the point he was trying to make. Jim is the hero of that story, and I’m not sure teenagers are able to look past the epithet to see that.
On the topic of Compulsory National Service, well, that’s the very definition of fascism, isn’t it? The individual existing to serve the state? I’m not inclined to do that, particularly this state, and would encourage my nieces and nephews to resist such a move with every fiber of their being.
Thomas, I agree with you on colorization of movies. I am just a stickler for the written word being left alone. I like originals, even though they may have serious problems. I don’t know as I agree that it necessarily gets in the way, and in fact I think it can lead to much production discussion. But I see your point, and respect your opinion here.
I am persuaded that compulsory service is wrong. However, I could be persuaded that to take certain government benefits, one must sign up for such service. I don’t mean bare basics, since I think everyone is entitled to them, but I would argue that some of the higher offerings, such as govt financial assistence for college should have a return cost. Helping improve the lot of everyone doesn’t seem a bad thing in theory. But I do agree, compulsory service is inappropriate in a democratic state.
Thanks for your reasoning.
I think the Republicans reading the Constitution, albeit skewed, may have been a good thing. After all, for most of them, it was the first time they have been exposed to that document.
On the article at my blog, it was a brainstorm I threw out and it wasn’t a very good idea. I agree that Infidel offered some convincing arguments. I need to rework the idea, making it voluntary. However, being characterized as evil, rather than mistaken was over the top.
Tom I can’t speak for infidel of course and so I won’t. I didn’t think a great deal about it at the time, but I found his arguments rather compelling. I’ve replied to Thomas with a fuller explanation.
Religion? Pointless. Believe in your “prophetic ministry” all you want; the Fundies can believe that you are the devil, just as you believe it of them.
No wonder churches are shrinking so fast. We’ve woken up to the fact that they’re worse than useless. They’re poisonous.
Sorry but I’m not sure what you are driving at, other than that you don’t favor any religious feeling. That is your absolute right. Why do you feel the need to trash what others choose to believe? Sounds mostly like you are trying to convince yourself.
I bought a copy of Twain’s autobiography last month. Now I need to see if he discusses Huck Finn in this volume or if we’re going to have to wait for another.
I’ll be interested to hear what if anything he says on the subject Shannon. Do keep us informed!