Topic: Fear

Hope vs Fear & Ignorance: Which will win?

By Sue Freeman Culverhouse | September 7, 2009 |

Our society is at war with itself. The downturn in the economy has brought great fears to many citizens. People who focus on their fears have little chance of seeing a solution. Fear is a paralyzing emotion. Mix that with ignorance of some basic facts that are misconstrued by devious politicians seeking their own aggrandizement and you get demonstrations that defy logic.

With citizens in all walks of life losing their jobs and needing hope, some officials more concerned about grandstanding they hope will lead themselves to higher political office than to addressing the suffering of the people who elected them.

When people need hope, more money in their pockets, possibility of new jobs opening up for which they are qualified, we are unfortunately faced with some politicians who are more interested in spreading lies than in solving problems.

Yes, we all have to support our government through taxes. Yes, we need to be as frugal as possible with public money. Yes, we need to cut pork out of all budgets—federal, state, local or personal.

But first we need to bail ourselves out of the mess we’re in. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Commentary | 2 Comments

Election 2008: Hope vs. Fear

By David W. Shelton | November 1, 2008 |

As the campaign for the 2008 Presidential election comes to a close, the entire country (if not the world) holds their breath to see who will emerge victorious. While the usual independent candidates pepper ballots in all fifty states, the race is clearly between Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Arizona Senator John McCain.

This race isn’t really between Obama and McCain, though. More than any other time in recent history, this election is a referendum on ideas. It’s an election between worldviews and beliefs. While it’s true that all major elections have a certain flavor of mudslinging and catchphrases that run the gamut, one party’s campaign strategy actually attempted to imply the other as un-American and associated with terrorism. Finally, it’s an election between marketing strategies.

This election of ideas can best be summed down into a battle — not between good and evil — but between hope and fear. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen with bitter emails and sanctified drivel from far-right groups, it’s obvious that some would like to have the “good versus evil” image stick to this year’s election. Thankfully, many American voters have seen through the schtick and looked at the issues to make their choice. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News, Opinion, Politics | No Comments

The power of nightmares: The rise of the politics of fear

By Bill Larson | March 11, 2008 |

“The power of nightmares: The rise of the politics of fear” is an award winning documentary created by Adam Curtis for the BBC and was first broadcast in late 2004. The film explores the origins in the 1950’s of Islamic Fundamentalism in the Middle East, and Neoconservatism in America, it highlights the striking parallels that exist between both movements, and the effects they have on our world today.

“Both the Islamists and Neoconservatives] were idealists who were born out of the failure of the liberal dream to build a better world. And both had a very similar explanation for what caused that failure. These two groups have changed the world, but not in the way that either intended. Together, they created today’s nightmare vision of a secret, organized evil that threatens the world. A fantasy that politicians then found restored their power and authority in a disillusioned age. And those with the darkest fears became the most powerful. “

What’s especially interesting about this film is the theory they propose that the hype about the islamic threat in the from of al-Qaeda, is in fact a myth perpetrated by politicians, particularly American neo-conservatives in an attempt to unite and inspire their people following the failure of earlier, more utopian ideologies. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure | No Comments

V-Day events set to climax in New Orleans

By Debbie Boen | March 10, 2008 |

VDay events for 2008 will culminate this year in New Orleans.  Eve Ensler calls New Orleans the Vagina of America and she has chosen the New Orleans Arena to host the V-day event of the decade. V to the Tenth will be in New Orleans on April 11 and 12th, 2008. In one of her Vagina Monologues Ensler says about the fertile New Orleans: We brag about her music, the way she moves, we beg to get inside her, but disown her later when she has needs… We (can) change her story and the story of women.

This New Orleans celebration of two performances of the award winning Vagina Monologues will feature Salma Hayek, Oprah Winfrey, Faith Hill, Jane Fonda, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Hudson, Glenn Close, Julia Stiles, Ali Larter, Sally Field, Marisa Tomei, Calpernia Addams, Rosario Dawson, Kerry Washington, and musicians Common, Eve, and Charmaine Neville. See details and get tickets at: http://v10.vday.org/

Ensler has a big picture for vaginas. V-Day is a vision to see a world where women live safely and freely. The monologues speak openly about vagina stories that were collected from women. Ending violence against women is the driving force behind the production. Women don’t talk about their own sexuality; they don’t talk about what pleases them, and when raped, they don’t talk about that either. Most of the time, they think it was their fault that they were attacked and they walk around with the hidden fear and shame of it. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure | No Comments

An update on the Bush Administration and the Politics of Fear

By Bill Larson | August 15, 2006 |

When I am right, I am right! I said in my August 11 piece, that you should take these new claims of terrorist plots with a grain of salt. Since then my premise has been confirmed. Here’s some new examples.

There was a recent piece by MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann on his Countdown show, which covered the history of using Terrorism and Terrorists by politicians especially Republican ones for Political Gain. It’s very damning and you should really go watch it, it’s also available on Crooks and Liars where I first learned about the piece! Then come back here, and read the rest of this article! «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | No Comments

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