This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.

End of Empire – Propaganda and the American Myth

Cognitive Dissonance's picture




 


End of Empire – Propaganda and the American Myth                                                              

“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive”….ourselves. With apologies to Sir Walter Scott.

If only life were as neat and orderly as my ancient history text book showed it to be. There it was on glossy paper, spread out across two sets of adjoining pages, maps of the ancient and modern world. Including time lines top and bottom, with countries outlined and identified. Underneath their modern English names were one or two older names in smaller stylized script, often including exact beginning and end dates. I remember one in particular that caught my eye. “United States of America” followed by the year 1776. But with no end date indicated, it looked like unfinished business to me. You’ve got to love those historians and their exact dates.

Of course, in reality there are no exact dates for the birth and death of city/states, other than in the author’s mind. Children continue to be born, the old still die, and life goes on under different circumstances. But you’re rarely informed of the subjective nature of historical events when you’re young and impressionable, so they’re presented in the history books as fact. The last thing the reigning Empire wants is to appear uncertain about previous Empires. Even before we begin to read and comprehend on our own, we’re presented with the illusion of a beginning and end to everything, often with very clear lines of demarcation. This concept is continuously reinforced through our daily indoctrination of carefully scripted news stories, care of our modern media saturated existence. Naturally, critical thinking is optional and definitively not encouraged.

Mix in a healthy dose of hard core science, where you learn very early there are correct and incorrect answers to all your questions, and a pattern of social myth making emerges. Of course, the correct answers are held for public safekeeping by our cultural high priests and authority figures, be they academic, governmental, scientific or religious. Lest you forget, cultural icons and heroes must always be respected and deferred to. Maybe now’s a good time to remember that most history and science books are written and re-written by those very same keepers of the public mythology. What we believe as a culture, sometimes called our public myth, is usually determined by those whose pockets are the deepest or most powerful, not by those who are the wisest and most knowledgeable.

Have you ever read a book written by the survivors of the vanquished, the so called losers? I have, a number of times, and it’s usually very enlightening to see the world from the other side of the bloody divide. In their hands, our cultural myths aren’t treated with the same loving care and respect we afford them, nor should they be. But of course they must be lying because they have an ax to grind. Revisionist history is how those in power politely describe the writings of the defeated and the victims crushed in the head long rush of conquering empire. The public myth tells us that the losers can do nothing but taut the victorious with their lies. Ignore them and they’ll go away. Besides, the winners never lie about the facts, though we’re told there’s plenty of room for differences of opinion. And just about everything can be reduced to an opinion if you’re looking to obscure.

Of course, one of the unspoken duties of the winners is to distort the written and visual record, so that it conforms to the public myth. This is the principle reason why recently retired or replaced holders of powerful governmental and military positions are handed huge advances to write their memoirs. These sacred tomes of divine wisdom are quickly embraced by other propagandists as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help their Gods of propaganda. Once in hand, it’s quickly woven into the fabric of the public myth as supporting documentation. Thus another slice of the propaganda cycle is complete and ready for its next rotation.

We possess extremely complex belief systems and world views. How they develop and evolve is greatly influenced by external information sources we rarely question or challenge. After all, these sources are our cultural authority figures, the experts, professionals and intelligentsia that form our cultural propaganda delivery and support system. These sources cannot be seriously questioned, particularly from within, without being declared a heretic. Just look at how Zero Hedge, and other non-conforming web sites, are treated as an example of how heresy is handled these days. While we may not pay much attention to everything we hear or see, our unconscious is absorbing it all, raw and unfiltered. This information feeds into and supports our world view with little conscious thought or scrutiny. This is the reason why repetition is so vitally important to effective propaganda. Our brain always absorbs even when we do not look and listen.

It’s shocking to realize how seldom we change our basic beliefs or understanding when confronted with new information that normally would affect change. Instead, we bend or ignore facts to fit our established world view. John Maynard Keynes once said “When the facts change, I change my opinion. What do you do, sir?” Sadly most people don’t subscribe to this logical practice. Instead, conformation bias and denial are the tools we use to manage and manipulate information to our liking. And there are plenty of governmental, corporate and private citizens ready to help us accomplish this through deliberate and targeted propaganda. The most common personal warning sign that this is happening is the pain of cognitive dissonance, which is usually set off when new information is in conflict with long established and dearly held views.

Rarely do we push through this cognitive pain to reappraise our inventory of established truths for validity or relevance. It’s so much easier to discard ugly deviations, or cherry pick information that confirms our preferred vision, rather than conduct the top to bottom review that’s called for when the facts change. Intellectual laziness is the polite term for this phenomenon. I think a more honest explanation is deliberate and mostly conscious denial. However, even when I’m alert for and aware of this phenomenon, I’m still surprised how often I participate. It’s frightening to see how deeply conditioned we are in the art of self deception. The truth hurts, so I employ the most powerful pain killer know to man, that of denial. It’s extremely difficult to reject popular opinion and strike out on our own independent path. Group think is indoctrinated into us from birth and socially rewarded at every turn. It’s emotionally safer and more comfortable if you stay near the center of the pack. Herd mentality in all its glory, which is corralled by the public myth and which we too are the keepers.

I often say all writers are essentially propagandists and that applies to me as well. I’m using this forum to cherry pick information which I then present in the most compelling manner to make my case. In effect, I’m feeding you my spin, which along with other pieces can be used to build a myth. The most effective propaganda is that whose basic premise is slipped by the reader or TV viewer so smoothly it’s never recognized. Once the premise is planted and accepted, the hard work is done and the fish is quickly reeled in. What’s that you say? You’re too smart to let the wool be pulled over your eyes? That you can discern truth from lies and would eventually figure it out given enough time and inclination? Honestly ask yourself, how much effort would you put into examining something you already believe to be true? Wouldn’t you deem it a major waste of your time? Consider the premise I put forth in the title of this article. Did you notice? Did you question? Or did you accept and start to read?

Most people see information as chunks of data that can be compartmentalized, examined and manipulated. But rarely do we recognize that many of the truths we hold as impeccable are based upon long lines of information. If at any point this information could be proven false, the entire line is suspect, along with your impeccable truth. Consider a long string of mathematical calculations. While there may be dozens of individual problems with separate answers, each answer then feeds into another calculation as a sum or variable. Make a mistake at any point in the line and the entire data stream is corrupt. How we view our world is based upon many preconceived notions and beliefs. Change just one small piece we previously thought correct and everything changes to some extent. Change two or three and suddenly we have a crisis of confidence and a cognitive dissonance. Yet when we feel that pain, how often do we reboot and reexamine everything? Why would you reexamine what you think you know to be correct, particularly when most everyone else is in agreement? Peer pressure and conditioning are hard to resist, even in the privacy of your own mind. “We are never deceived; we deceive ourselves.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

My basic premise and the basis for this series of articles is that the American Empire is ending. In fact, it has peaked and is now in rapid decline. While I can’t offer an exact date for this change of direction, it doesn’t diminish my argument in the least. I’d be hard pressed to give you the date for the decline of the Roman Empire, but clearly it followed the same trajectory. Did Rome’s downward spiral start when the capital was moved to Constantinople in 330 AD? Or when Rome was sacked by the Visigoths in 410 AD? It matters little at this point, except to the historians. While America descends, China and India ascend.

Actually I would argue that while Empires come and go, the culture of environmental and human exploitation and destruction we call civilization has grown in efficiency over the past 3000 years. We Americans now stand proudly at the pinnacle of the insanity, picking up where the Romans and Europeans left off. I’ll leave that thought for another day but I think you get my point.

America as a social and financial entity ceased to function at peak efficiency decades ago. This rapid decline is the main reason behind the massive increase in financial engineering, which is now coming apart at the seams, deliberately in my view. To argue over this or that detail is to be in denial of the obvious. In fact, I consider the official bickering over these details as a deliberate attempt to distort and distract while the final looting and rape occurs. Using propaganda and other psychological operations, our leaders lie about the economic condition of America. They do so not because they expect the lie to withstand close scrutiny, but rather to enable those who wish to believe the lie a plausible excuse to do so. Remember our conditioning. When in doubt, defer to authority and suspend disbelief.

A classic sales technique is the assumed consent close. Rather than directly asking you to purchase this new car, I simply assume you are purchasing and begin asking you closing questions. “Do you prefer the red one we looked at first or the blue convertible with the beige interior? Could you please get your insurance card out of the glove box before you clean out your car? Just sign here and here. Thanks.” You’d be surprised how many new automobiles, rooms of household furniture, whole life insurance, variable annuities and pieces of expensive jewelry are sold in this manner. Something similar to this technique is being used by the mass media to sell us something we already wish to buy. Only they aren’t selling the death of America, but rather its remarkable resilience and miraculous comeback. We’re being sold false hope, disguised as assumed consent questions such as, should we audit the Fed, can we expand healthcare with a public option, will Son of Stimulus be rolled out by the first or second quarter of 2010, should we……..well, you get the picture.

False hope binds us to impossible conditions and situations. Please read that statement again and then let it sink in for a minute.

As long as we believe there’s residual value in keeping America on life support, we’ll continue to pour borrowed money into this mess, rather than roll up the derivatives, fire the managers and start over. We don’t wish to face the reality that we’re in way over our heads. As long as we’re not forced to look too closely at the horrible condition our country’s in, we’re all too willing to do our part and avoid applying critical thinking to the subject. Like an old bull unknowingly led to slaughter because he thinks he’s off to mount another cow, we’re desperately trying to keep alive the magical American myth of life, liberty and apple pie while shielding our eyes from the rotting corpse it’s rapidly becoming.

That’s probably too harsh for the average American’s sensibilities, but let’s ask ourselves a few questions in an effort to find the truth, or at least something approaching the truth as we know it. Let me be clear on something before I get flamed for my harsh tongue. I’m not America bashing in the least. I’m America myth bashing. The American myth of exceptionalism is enabling her destruction as we stand idly by, applauding the mythical facade our leaders and media display 24/7. As long as we cling to the hope that all she needs is a tune up and some minor repairs, we’re condemned to a long and painful death spiral. We’re being sold exactly what we want to hear when we need to hear it. To claim otherwise is to lie to ourselves and to each other.

America is crumbling from the foundation up, and yet we gather around the TV, talking about a fresh paint job and a new screen door, both bought on credit, while handing our grandchildren a bill they’ll never be able to pay. The only way we can live with this lie while perpetrating these despicable acts upon our own family members is to deny it’s even happening. The big lie, which we must continue to tell ourselves, has taken on a life of its own and is consuming everyone and everything in its path. We are addicted to our own public myth and to sustain the lie, we simply ignore the truth. The only way to break through this lie is to go back through decades of propaganda and myth and find out what went wrong. Since this would be too painful, both individually and as a society, we distort reality as quickly as we change cable channels. It’s not just our leaders who are corrupt but we as well.

We have become cowardly, unwilling to commit to the tough decision of setting aside instant gratification in order to assure our grandchildren a home to live in. This is the ultimate act of selfishness, compounded by the fact that we claim we’ve been hijacked by our leaders. Sadly, our leaders are doing exactly what we want them to do, which is to continue the lie. Did we really think we could put our toys and war machines on the charge card and not worry about the bill, just because some politicians said we could? What are we, 5 year olds, pointing our fingers elsewhere when asked who broke the vase? Even if we personally followed the path of fiscal prudence, why didn’t we scream bloody murder, demanding we stop this insanity before the country began its suicidal plunge? Why do we still remain silent? Our hands are bloody and the only question is, how much is yours and how much is mine. Citizenship is all about individual responsibility, something we’ve been avoiding for a while now, at least since we started calling ourselves consumers.

Look at the endless propaganda on TV that’s used to lull us back into a drugged stupor, so we don’t dwell on what we’re doing to our children’s children. American flags wave in the background as chiseled men and full breasted women expound on how wonderful we are for building and loving this great nation of ours. The great American love story, brought to you nightly on prime time TV. This is where the bad guys always loose, men are men and women are sexual objects to lust after. Watch closely children, this is the American dream. Why wouldn’t we love America the myth? It’s everything we want without the pain. Nationalism is our unifying religion, a potentially fatal addiction to our public myth that enables us to fiddle while America burns. More drugs over here doctor, the patient’s waking up.

So how do we deal with this, and what does this have to do with Zero Hedge? Well, I would say it has everything to do with ZH, but then again I’m just a propagandist, weaving my magical myth. But to be honest, in desperation I’m seeking another way, a different path. I’m tired of moving in and out of the various stages of loss and grief. One moment I’m screaming at my zombie neighbor, imploring him to wake up and see the insanity. The next I’m filled with self righteous indignation as another patsy banker’s head is placed on the public pike. Sometimes I start my morning bargaining with unseen powers, begging for a truce or cease fire, only to end my day crying in my hands in fear and frustration of it all. And I’m not alone.

Zero Hedge seems to be a refuge for the walking wounded, a safe haven inside occupied territory for the psychically damaged and demoralized. But we need more than rest and relaxation in order to regain our feet. We need to heal and grow our ranks, to find a way to help ourselves and those who follow us into the refuge. Surrounded by lies and deceit, we are indoctrinated to such an extent that we still speak the language of denial without realizing it. We have no choice but to start at the beginning. While Zero Hedge speaks truth to power, we need to speak truth to ourselves, to talk openly about what has happened and where we’re going. Part of the seduction of denial is the avoidance of personal responsibility. In my view this must stop, thus my declaration that we’re all responsible for this mess. I have no doubt America can be repaired but the process starts at the personal level.

From a financial point of view, I’m sure we’ve all held a winning trade past its prime, giving back money we should have booked. And who hasn’t kept a dog way too long, when we should have thrown it overboard months ago? While I’m certain there are multiple reasons for poor investment performance, a fearless and thorough examination often shows that bad investment decisions are the result of personal shortcomings, such as wishful thinking or denial. For myself, when this happens, I find I’ve violated one or more of my trading rules. They are as follows.

One, know myself, particularly my strengths and weaknesses. Two, know my trading environment or don’t play in the sandbox. Three, always consider the other side of trade. If I’m buying, why is the other guy selling? If I’m selling, why is the other guy buying? Look for weakness in my thinking. Four, from time to time, mentally clear my computer screen of existing positions and then follow step three with each holding. If I wouldn’t buy or sell it now, why am I holding it? Five, trust my instincts, not my heart. My heart lies to me all the time with plenty of help from my brain. Instinctually I usually know when to buy or sell but often I ignore my gut feeling and wind up screwing the pooch. Over the years I’ve found that too much thinking gets in the way and often makes things worse.

These trading rules, as with life itself, requires a clear eyed view and a deeper understanding of ourselves, our fellow man and the real world, not as we wish to see it but as it really is. Unfortunately we still engage in wishful thinking way too often, constantly pushing the hope “dope” button and regretting it afterwards. Considering the direction our world is headed, it’s going to be more difficult to think clearly unless we make personal changes. Old habits die hard because we desperately cling to them for emotional support. Understanding why we do this will go a long way to helping us jettison that old baggage. Even if we are trapped on the crazy train to hell, just because we can’t get off doesn’t mean we must participate in the insanity.

So with the active participation of my fellow Zero Hedge readers, I would like to continue this exploration in a series of “End of Empire” articles, each time focusing on a different aspect of the unraveling. We need to develop our intellectual, emotional and financial coping techniques. Of particular importance to me will be the comments and feedback I get from you, for I assure you I don’t have all the answers. This isn’t a rally to arms but rather a cry for help. Either we heal as a community or we continue to hemorrhage, alone and isolated. It’s going to be a wild ride so let’s buckle up and do this together. After all, there’s safety in numbers, inside the new herd mentality of Zero Hedge.

Cognitive Dissonance

 

- advertisements -

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:52 | 145829 anarkst
anarkst's picture

CD, ever consider a non-intellectual approach to life?

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:37 | 145816 Anonymous
Anonymous's picture

History like opinions about it must always remain an exercise in subjective interpretation. Yes this country is going to hell in a hand basket, as did Marie Antoinette. No there is nothing that any politician out there is doing that will reverse this seemingly irreversible phenomena. Empires come and empires go. The American Empire is certainly no different. However, I am not certain that it is currently beyond redemption. Close but not totally there yet. American exceptionalism certainly existed in the past. Don't say that it didn't to the soldiers in Germany that cleared out the concentration camps. And don't tell me the Japanese internment camps were the same. But rather, until recently, our country had the ability to look itself in the mirror, admit its mistakes and change course, much like an carrier changing direction. Slow and steady, but sure of its course. We lost that confidence a while ago. My personal opinion is that unsound money helped grease those skids. By allowing the unfettered printing of currency, the government was able to separate responsibility from the consequences of our acts, at least for a while. Fiat money means that decisions to go to war can be made without a consensus, just print up the greenstamps and trade them in for aircraft and ships and guns. There's never a final accounting. My personal belief that military adventures would be greatly diminished if we all had to pay for them c.o.d. Same with all these nifty welfare benefits and government worker gold plated salary, health and retirement deals. As long as the cost can be put off till tomorrow with no one any the wiser, a future crisis is always preferable to a current one.

Inflation is that hidden tax that eventually will bankrupt the country. And socialism's problem as so eloquently stated by Lady Thatcher, is that "Eventually you run of out of other people's money." Which is the point we're at now.

My own belief is that the situation is pretty much hopeless. However, I believe that the current leader of the free world is in for a fall and will not serve out his term. In addition, you can count on wholesale voting out of the congress in the midterms. I am not convinced this will matter as there hasn't been much difference between the parties in recent years. However, one can hope.

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 00:01 | 145837 Anonymous
Anonymous's picture

Can't expect that one election will turn things around. It will take several cycles, several years for congress to get the message that the people recogniaze that they have been screwed and will turn out every incumbent that does not deliver an end to the banking ripoff of the people.

That's assuming that the majority voters in Massachusetts will throw out Frank, and Dodd in Connnecticut. Without that, you might as well forget about turning out congress wholesale.

From a T'giving party I attended, the voter still is acting locally, isn't even aware of how much more they pay in taxes than they receive in benefits, and find it in their
ignorance to dump the incumbents that put them in the mess they and we are in.

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 08:51 | 146068 Anonymous
Anonymous's picture

The only way to bring about change it to elect from outside of the two sided coin, heads you lose-tails I win, system. We would have to vet new candidates to run against the crooked incumbents who are really different. I don't see that happening at the moment. It is almost too late already to vet good alternatives. No one's working on it, so Nov 2010 will come and pass uneventfully.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:35 | 145813 Anonymous
Anonymous's picture

President "Bobby": Mr. Gardner, do you agree with Ben, or do you think that we can stimulate growth through temporary incentives?
[Long pause]
Chance the Gardener: As long as the roots are not severed, all is well. And all will be well in the garden.
President "Bobby": In the garden.
Chance the Gardener: Yes. In the garden, growth has it seasons. First comes spring and summer, but then we have fall and winter. And then we get spring and summer again.
President "Bobby": Spring and summer.
Chance the Gardener: Yes.
President "Bobby": Then fall and winter.
Chance the Gardener: Yes.
Benjamin Rand: I think what our insightful young friend is saying is that we welcome the inevitable seasons of nature, but we're upset by the seasons of our economy.
Chance the Gardener: Yes! There will be growth in the spring!
Benjamin Rand: Hmm!
Chance the Gardener: Hmm!
President "Bobby": Hm. Well, Mr. Gardner, I must admit that is one of the most refreshing and optimistic statements I've heard in a very, very long time.
[Benjamin Rand applauds]
President "Bobby": I admire your good, solid sense. That's precisely what we lack on Capitol Hill.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:31 | 145810 Miles Kendig
Miles Kendig's picture

CD - You managed to weave into one article the concepts of the myth of the nation, "conditioned responsing", denial, the process of reaffirmation, repetition and the "walking wounded" of a society and its collapsing bell curve of information acceptance.  Congratulations on this and upon achieving the state of my follow up question.  I wonder if you will elect to peel the layers of this introduction for a more probative examination or if you will use this introduction as a foundational building block of your subsequent efforts?  Have a great time and I look forward to seeing you along the road.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:25 | 145807 loup garou
loup garou's picture

"Zero Hedge seems to be a refuge for the walking wounded, a safe haven inside occupied territory for the psychically damaged and demoralized."

I had no idea that anyone considered this to be the case; however, it is revealing to learn that you do.

I’m tired of moving in and out of the various stages of loss and grief. One moment I’m screaming at my zombie neighbor, imploring him to wake up and see the insanity. The next I’m filled with self righteous indignation as another patsy banker’s head is placed on the public pike. Sometimes I start my morning bargaining with unseen powers, begging for a truce or cease fire, only to end my day crying in my hands in fear and frustration of it all.

CD, I say this with the utmost sincerity and compassion:
If these statements about yourself are accurate, it seems pretty clear that (at the very least) you suffer from severe depression. You need to seek professional help immediately.

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 12:16 | 146252 WaterWings
WaterWings's picture

"You need to seek professional help immediately."

And tell the Doc what?

"I know you won't believe me, Doc, but the American Empire is ending and I'm exhausted by talking to people that give me blank stares, or worse, get confused, or even worser, get irritated, when I bring up a subject other than professional sports and tabloid mental-garbage, blaring from every electronic orifice in sight. Ya gotta give me something Doc! Make me forget! They told me you were da best!"

 

Doc: You need to lighten up.
Narrator: Can you please just give me something?
Red and blue Tuinals, lipstick-red Seconals...
Doc: No. You need healthy, natural sleep. Chew some valerian root and get more exercise.
Narrator: Hey, come on. I'm in pain.
Doc: You wanna see pain? Swing by First Methodist, Tuesday nights. See the guys with testicular cancer. That's pain.

Great stuff, CD!
Mon, 11/30/2009 - 08:08 | 146058 TumblingDice
TumblingDice's picture

The whole country's in depression, man. The problem is your prescription and the various forms that it takes that have infested it. The article was about precisely that: falling back on those with 'greater expertise' for help and guidance instead of seeking its only legitimate source: your own gray matter.

The contradiction contained within the article is a bit troubling however, perhaps it can be cleared up:

We need to develop our intellectual, emotional and financial coping techniques.


This isn’t a rally to arms but rather a cry for help.

It is futile to ask others how to think for yourself. The only coping technique I can't think of for those who are already thinking for themselves is not to give up.

Perhaps you are asking for help on how to increase the numbers of those who would think for themselves but that too is futile since the kind of people who we would want to have join our ranks cannot be pursuaded by a formulaic approach. Simple, presentation of the choice is the best approach.

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 01:53 | 145936 Hephasteus
Hephasteus's picture

So you've identified that sincerity and compassion are missing your post and decided to "claim" them.

This kind of reminds me of when I was 5 years old. My teacher got very frustrated with me because her time out stand in the corner tactic didn't work. Not only would I not beg and cry to rejoin the group, the bitch would make me come back after like 28 freaking seconds cause I would be off in the corner processing information all happy and contented without anyone bothering me.

I don't bargain with unseen forces but I do communicate with them. And yes sometimes I screw my horns on tight and go tearing ass through heaven just goring the crap out of various groups with my horns like it's non voluntary running of the bulls day. I do relationship tarot readings and try to sort through the various projecting forces. Just call it signal decoding fun.

I had a dog with a hurt leg. She wasn't very assertive so I spent most of my time helping her become more assertive. One day I was walking her and she got attacked by an Akita who was able to get one hit in and roll her on the ground once before he discovered I knew exactly how hard to punch an akita in the top of the head to make that ringing sound that won't go away for a while happen. After that her view of me changed. She had never seen me violently handle something like that and decided I would make a good gang up member. Emboldened by my protection she would try to get me to gang up against various dogs until it finally came to hilarious conclusion resulting in a low speed chase where she chased off a dog hobbling on her crippled leg. It went on for about 3 minutes and covered maybe 150 yards.  Then she finally understood that true protection is never loyal and true loyalty never protects the right people.

So what kind of help do I need? And throw in some fake sincerity and compassion to make me believe you have my best interest at heart.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:50 | 145828 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

LOL

Maybe we need to discuss my definition of "psychically damaged and demoralized" because I don't mean it as mentally ill or disabled. However, many people who comment on ZH speak of feeling abused and used by powerful forces in this country, including being abused by those who should either stop or prevent the abuse. Stress is one of the effects of abuse and long term stress can be psychically damaging and demoralizing. In fact, this subject will be part of my next discussion.

Thank you for asking about my health but I'm now under a doctor's care and very well medicated. Very well medicated. In fact, I feel myself slipping back into zombie nation. Just when I think I've escaped, they pull me back in.

:>))

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 00:58 | 145895 onelight
onelight's picture

You're doing great, CD -- write onward..

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 00:54 | 145891 class of 68
class of 68's picture

CD, after enjoying many articles and viewpoints on Zh, I was compelled to finally register and send you my thanks for your though provoking post. Indeed for me you are preaching to the choir, but it is comforting to see how closely your missive is aligned with my position. I too have tried to alert friends and colleagues, mostly with little effect. My company in it's 45th year, for the first time is in decline. I see very little that can alleviate the hemorrhage. Thanks again, CD.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:41 | 145815 Cheeky Bastard
Cheeky Bastard's picture

even if ALL THAT is the case, who the fuck are you to suggest anything to him, or what he should or should not do .... if you have got nothing constructive and/or objective to say, STFU and move past this post ..... no one wants to read your Volkerpsychologie garbage or outdated analysis on the Human Condition or psychological constructions which border with fantasy(yours that is) .... this shit really boils my blood and you do it far too often for me to remain silent anymore ... get of your high horse of perfectly molded belief of what should a human being be like (see what i just did there); 95% of your posts sound like some HuffPost moron wrote them ...

 

EDIT: well now when i think of it; i think you might be a troll par excellence;hmmm ... 

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:12 | 145792 Wondering
Wondering's picture

btw, I did not mean to imply that the folks who "get it" are the majority. Although I do think the majority know that something is terribly wrong....they just do not see an alternative nor a time/way to act at this time.

And they probably are right

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:50 | 145826 Winisk
Winisk's picture

Lot of truth in this.  I recently had a conversation with my aging parents about what to do with their nest egg.  They have their advisor who has them in the usual mix of assets.  I try to do my little part by educating family and friends.  They sort of 'get it' but the comeback was precisely what you described. What's the alternative? My mother's wisdom was that we are trapped in the times we are born into. There is a lot of cultural inertia that needs to be overcome, but I suspect if the right circumstances coalesce, and momentum builds, the desired attitude change would be rapid once the uninitiated are given a viable alternative.  The unknown is scary.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:08 | 145788 shadowboxer
shadowboxer's picture

 Point well missed.  As Owen Cook once said(paraphrased) "...we need to overcome our fears and do what we know is right".  Is it that we are afraid, or do we not know what is right, because I believe it is the former and not the latter or else we would be taking action and not perpetually mincing about the problems. Nothing organization and concerted effort will not cure - the hour's getting late.

 

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 15:39 | 146347 Bob
Bob's picture

Very much agreed.  I would point out that a great bulk of our society's convictions (as measured in per-capita time spent) revolve around morally themed pursuits--from religion to charity work to video games and action movies (which, their reputation notwithstanding, are always morality plays in the spirit of Shakespeare.)  It may be easily devalued as canned entertainment, but this suggests to me that people hunger and long for lives of active moral balance/decency. 

Many people would be deeply gratified by participation in something larger--if somebody would just organize the damn protest. 

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:58 | 145778 Wondering
Wondering's picture

I dunno, while agonizing self appraisal is always useful it is often also self indulgent

The thread smacks of elitism, contempt for the less sophisticated and folks who only know people already in the church.

The many people I know responsible for real companies in the real economy in the flyover states are rip roaring mad about this situation. You only need 15% of a society that are wise enough, determined enough, and connected at the sinews of the nation to change an awful lot. There are tons of 40-50 year old college educated but nothing fancy people who have gotten real companies started and well managed, who are fiscal conservatives but socially liberal to social libertarian middle of the road ...and who are very angry, see the situation even clearer if not as articulately or in detail like you do. Whats more they think a radical change is required, are angry as hell at the casino economy who rigs the game more than it ever has been as they remember American History. They are just waiting. Whats a poor boy to do but sing in a rock and roll band? Besides...they have and feel a sense of respoinsibility to their communities and their employees and all they built. They got there by being competent and practical...what do you expect them to do....its not time.

Ever talk to taxi drivers in the towns you visit? They know. There is a kind of wisdom in the mob...not the mob the media leads around and reports on ...thats a market segment of America. Remember Nixon's Silent Majority? Well they exist and a thread composed of them would be more blunt, less fancy and more to the point than anything you read on ZH. But they do get it.

Sorry guys. You do not have a monopoly on smarts or cynicism or awareness or idealism. You have a monopoly on your lexicon. Thats about it

Besides Rome never fell. It moved. Now its in Washington.

The ideals of the Greek City State did not fade. They got stronger. And they moved. They moved to Pennsylvannia, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, Indiana, Western NY, Iowa, Colorado. etc, etc

I think many of you would be amazed at how much in common you have with those in the real world but not in the financial/investment world. After all, all of us not in the Oligarchy have a powerful something in common.

Sorry, the point is not to comment. It is to study so we can lead. Pretense will not get us there. imho.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:24 | 145806 Green Sharts
Green Sharts's picture

Superb post.  The people I know understand that this country is in deep trouble.  They're not the "sheeple" Cognitive Dissonance and many others here regularly snicker at and look down on.  Look at the lack of cash inflows into equity mutual funds despite the huge rally that would normally draw people in.  People aren't buying this BS "recovery" story.

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 10:23 | 146124 Bob
Bob's picture

Disagree about CD steadily pumping "elitism", but very much agree about the pent-up anger of the people.  A major media event would go far toward productively focusing and mobilizing it, I think.  It ain't that hard to organize one, either--particularly when some of the most meaningful targets are fortuitously located in NYC, the heart of World MSM. 

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 14:00 | 146345 Wondering
Wondering's picture

Thats a good point Bob. I did not mean to single anyone out. That said, I do think many have very elitist outlooks. Charming and funny ...but we do need to be self aware if we are to actually be part of the solution and the change. imho

I do point out however, that many on many threads decry the lack of action of the sheeple....while posting to a select few on an internet site.

The people know enough to not follow those who prefer to be commentators and observers as most prove not to be men of action or advocates of a solution they fight for and win. There are observors and do-ers. And the average person wants action not words. they get words from the useless media and politicians...so knocking them for not acting on "our" ideas is elitism and foolish. They should act first so us commentators can comment on the internet?

 They also have lumped all "elites" who talk like "elites" as part of the problem. Thats the reaction you get when you have a President for whom many percieve that his greatest actual real world non political accomplishment is being a graduate of Harvard Law School. They see the fancy words and elitist concepts and explanations of the financial leaders and Bernake/Tim/Larry and quickly conclude that one should be careful of all elitist sounding characters. Name the last one who delivered?

 Preceeded by two Yalies who also sold them a bill of goods. 

Granted I agree that Palins are not the antidote to the recent ineffectiveness and callousness to the middle class...just that it is an understandable reaction rooted in practicality.

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 15:06 | 146439 Bob
Bob's picture

Okay, I hear ya.  Class consciousness is truly a bitch of "cognitive dissonance" in America.  What do you make of the failure of people in and around NYC to mount widely visable protests at "ground zero" of the financial collapse, aka Wall Street?  The population and media density, not to mention the transportation infrastructure, is ideal. 

WTF is wrong with organizers in the Big Apple?

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:52 | 145775 vanderrook
vanderrook's picture

Great read. I think you're right- this thing can't be fixed with "a coat of paint." I hate to sound or think so fatalistically, but the prevailing mindset and actions of the vast majority is the iceberg to our Titanic. It just can't go on- or even be "tweaked" at this point.

Let the metamorphosis begin...

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:50 | 145773 MountainHawk
MountainHawk's picture

Here's another good read courtest of Mr. Ferguson of esteemed Harvard U..

http://www.newsweek.com/id/224694/page/1

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:47 | 145769 SWRichmond
SWRichmond's picture

CD,

AFAIAC America's decline began with the decline of the middle class and the stagnation then decline of middle class earning power.  It's been credit bubbles and debasement of the USD since then in a regime of gradually falling interest rates.  The FIRE economy was all about leverage to keep it going, nothing else.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:39 | 145765 mrhonkytonk1948
mrhonkytonk1948's picture

First, kill all the lawyers.  Baby steps.  I was dozing last night listening to the lady who ran Nader's last presidential campaign discuss the legal obstacles large and small that await any candidate not affiliated with the Democans or Republicrats.  A nightmare of overlapping jurisdictions, administrivia, and a campaign finance law that is so complex and obscure that even those charged with enforcing it just scratch their heads half the time.  Then there's the MSM, carping over and over that  you are just taking votes away from one of the "real" candidates.  Etc etc.  A rigged game to ensure that there is NEVER any change you can believe in.   Why do we have more lawyers per capita than any country on earth?

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:53 | 145774 Daedal
Daedal's picture

Lawyers, while generally despised, are the guardians of rights and the defenders against tyranny. Perhaps your quarrel is with the law itself and/or its lack of enforcement.

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 09:53 | 146113 Bob
Bob's picture

+1.  If the legal system consistently enforced our laws--particularly against white collar crime--we'd have a very different appreciation of lawyers as a group (rather than only when they save our asses.)

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 10:52 | 146167 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

Miles Kendig, a prolific poster here on ZH, has a wonderful grasp of our unequal justice system and I always enjoy reading his views on this, and other, subjects. A very well rounded person, Miles is someone I would consider a victim run over in the rush of conquering empire, at least based upon his posts. 

If I may so bold as to surmise what's going on in his head, Miles great physical and emotional pain has compelled him to look within for deep insights. I identify with the path taken.

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 17:53 | 146689 Miles Kendig
Miles Kendig's picture

CD -  Thank you.  It is a shame that the fine lady that stands outside most courthouses has had her blindfold ripped off, scales tossed aside, been trafficked, required to sport a pastel micro mini, clear heels and bills by the minute.

If I am to toss stones I believe that taking a close look into the person that stares back at me from the mirror is essential.  I think that we have all been volunteers one way or another to the processes that now dominates much of the discussions here and elsewhere.  What I have called our cycle of codependency with the 1,000 pound persons that our government, legal system and TBTF institutions have become.  It is in realizing that fear of the "window dressing" of socially acceptable and for many required to support a family commercial activity, speech, philosophy, association and recreation being somehow disturbed drives many folks to comply with what they view as distasteful or even abhorrent, including servicing the morbidly obese dysfunctional 1,000 pound persons through codependency. This process of introspection and determining what are the ideas I stand for and being completely honest with myself and others as to how I view and address these emerging issues, ideas and my own history is foundational to moving beyond this cycle of codependency to greater health as an individual, family, community and society.

See ya on the road

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 09:45 | 146105 Anonymous
Anonymous's picture

Our legal system, and its "pay to play" patriarchal bent, is yet another relic left over from the Roman Empire. Cui bono?

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:28 | 145758 Anonymous
Anonymous's picture

I dunno, while its always good to engage in some agonizing self appraisal: there is an awful lot of assumptions in the thread and a degree of elitism.

First of all, I think there is a kind of inarticulate wisdom in the mob. They know something is up and they are angry. Whats a poor boy to do but sing in a rock and roll band?

More importantly, there is a growing awareness amongst the 15% of wise enough, influential enough, determined enough folks that you need to change any society. I say this because I hear it from my portfolio company executives and clients in the heartland base businesses who are not the intellectuals one might find on ZH...but who are the bedrock of their towns, employees, local groups, college alumni. They see through this situation with remarkable clarity. They do not have your sophistication or the detailed reasons why....but they are the 40-50 year olds who have accomplished real things in the real economy and they are more angry (its all their money) and more disenchanted and more determined to re capture the best of the America. Not values voters, more Republican fiscal conservatives but reasonably liberal socially, not fools, folks with things to lose but smart enough to manage so far. People from Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Iowa, Wisconsin, Pennsylvannia, Colorado, Florida. College but nothing fancy, kids, miles from any college town influences or anti establishment influences. You would be surprised at the size of the folks who are waiting and who know its inevitable the nation has to be taken back.

Lastly, the Roman Empire never ended. It just moved. Now its in Washington DC. The ideals of the Greek City States never left. They are in many towns and many minds

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:16 | 145750 Banker1944
Banker1944's picture

cognitive dissonace - you are defining sir

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:13 | 145747 Anonymous
Anonymous's picture

Turn off the TV. Read. Write. Get involved with the Campaign for Liberty. Support the Ron Paul Revolution. There's a LOT you can do to help this country.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 23:01 | 145744 Lux Fiat
Lux Fiat's picture

CD, I have enjoyed (intellectually if not viscerally) your past commentary, along with this post.  Minds that can look at the "facts" and draw relatively dispassionate conclusions based on them, versus based on what they would like to see, are far to rare. 

You write "Have you ever read a book written by the survivors of the vanquished, the so called losers? I have, a number of times, and it’s usually very enlightening to see the world from the other side of the bloody divide."    Can you recommend some titles for those of us who might benefit, or who know others who might?  It might even help some of put our holiday gift budgets to better use (wink).

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 06:36 | 146039 mojine
mojine's picture

I second the reading list request. Great writing , CD . I relish reading the rest of the series.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:05 | 145739 Mad Max
Mad Max's picture

Great post.

America needs to wake up and rationally analyze what we do and do not really have.  We still have an enormous amount of wealth, regardless of the current recdepression.  But it will be and is being squandered in, as you say, trying to preserve a myth that isn't reality and never was.  I don't expect most of america to wake up until things are really bad, which will probably be a point at which some state, most likely California or Texas, secedes and says the federal debts are not its problem.  At which point we may have Civil War II, with nukes and carbombs this time around.

On a mundane note, please format articles in the same font throughout ZH so they are more readable.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:03 | 145735 assumptionblindness
assumptionblindness's picture

CD, you nailed it!!!  Your ideas are so similar to things that I have been working on (privately/non published) that it seems a little scary.  When I started research into paradigms, beliefs, knowledge, and social behavior it  quickly became evident that anyone with the ability to influence large segments of a population (media, politicians, educators, clergy, etc.) would be derelicht in their duties if they failed to take advantage of the predictable nature of certain aspects of human psychology.  When you know the methods you can see how pervasive their use is.  We are surrounded by nothing more than used car salesmen who wear the costumes of Senators, business leaders, television personalities, and journalists (ZH excluded, of course).  I am very much looking forward to your series...           

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 21:45 | 145720 onelight
onelight's picture

Lots of thoughtful self-reflection on things personal and communal, CG, and I appreciate the energy you put into this post. You ask good questions and posit thought-provoking avenues to explore. I look forward to your next missives..

I feel like we are overloaded with information and influence in this country, and in this era generally, for a variety of reasons, some of which are political

..and others of which fit with where humans are in this stage of the evolution of human consciousness, with a triune brain featuring a neocortex that (not-so) helpfully stuffs stress into the body and (less, or) unconscious mind, whenever it fears switch overload.

That was helpful in earlier parts of our evolution, much as it still is for mammals facing predator stress.

And yet now as part of our human brain overlay, it is short-circuiting our absorption of sense and perspective that we need, keeping us from developing the awareness we need to survive and evolve our capacities.

Some of that we cannot speed up, and a singularity won't solve it, and yet as you describe, with awareness of the challenge, we can work to overcome it.

Or at least clear the buffer a bit, and approach things with a better perspective.

The problem is multifaceted and can be conceived of and described in many ways, including your thoughtful psych take on things.

The fact that new media is morphing into a global always-on phenomenon of interconnection (liked or not) is overloading the system with volume and expanded variety of perception.

And the functional economic ground is shifting under our feet, changing things faster than we perceive, although as you rightly point out, the unconscious mind DOES perceive it.

And of course, as you say, the age-old methods of propaganda working on the human need for comforting narrative is playing a role---and seems to be even more prevalent given the overload challenge. 

Many are calling for many kinds of breakthroughs in years to come, on many levels.

I kind of feel like that has always been said, ie. that every age feels like an axial age to those alive in it. 

And yet, this disjointed period we are in has its own characteristics. In any case, it is the one we have to live.

I don't know all the answers and won't venture much, but my questions tend to go in one direction: we are going to have to, as a large group of people living in the bounds of a continent, and with our various extensions, RE-INTERPET and RE-CREATE what things like "citizenship" and "governing" and "community" mean, and that has to be in sync with a fuller exploration of what it is to become a whole and integrated person, drawing upon the wisdom of past influences while considering what our own time suggests in the varied experiences that we have of it.

We've got to take what we were given and make (re-make) it our own, letting go of the so much that does not serve anymore, or not for awhile, if it ever did.

If people work now for the wrong reasons (ie. being doped by shallow cultural treats), well then what are the better reasons?

What expanded, deeper, healthier conception of the self is involved in deciding that?

And how is that done in community while respecting personal boundaries and uniqueness?

Who and what do we want to be as a country? In the world as we find it to be? Taking responsibility for our actions, and not just living off how the government has done our business globally for us for so long?

Will we take responsibility for outcomes, for better and worse?

What work do we want to do in the world, as Americans? What should we be/get good at?

Why are we letting others make these decisions for us?

Don't we as individuals have the capacity to become whole beings in the long journeying way that that implies, finding a way to contribute---and thrive---as the people we are?

I don't know the answers although the questions when posed can be suggestive of some, and it all gets seen through the lens of the self.

What I do know is that in my market work I am always taking the observation and reversing to find the question, and then working with that to find the fuller dimension of that question (kind of like your trading method, CG).

We never finish answering anything, but we usually know when we have pushed a question to the point of sufficiency for the time being. Then we can get going on working answers that are good enough for today and tomorrow.

I share your sense that it is time to wake up, whatever time of day it is in America..

An aware citizenry will make better choices in community about how it is governed, building up from personal decisions about how to live each day more effectively.

I have a difficult enough time with the last part, but I think it is critical to the rest of the equation. We are wasting a lot of potential in America.

And on that note, I'll shut up.

 

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 22:43 | 145767 SWRichmond
SWRichmond's picture

Please learn to gather your thoughts into paragraphs before posting them.  FYI I no longer read anything posted in the manner above, and I suspect I am not alone.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 21:48 | 145718 Winisk
Winisk's picture

As an outsider to 'The Empire', I am always amazed at your country's embrace of heroes.  This was particularly striking in the aftermath of 911.  Bush, Guillani, and the fire fighters who took on an almost epic glow of heroism. Your country has an unparalleled sense of patriotism.  The group think quickly rallies behind the heroes of the moment. The 'highly intelligent' trio of Geithner, Summers, and Bernanke were to be the heroes of the credit crisis. This was the talk not too long ago on the MSM. However unabashed the lust for heroes is, the harshness of the dethroning process once the glow of mythologizing wears off is equally characteristic. I'm not sure why a nation with so many truly intelligent and capable leaders continues to worship a handful of chosen ones who inevitably disappoint. From my perspective, it's sad to watch a strong friendly nation veer so far off course. As I look back, I think that it was Osama who may have struck the fatal blow to your country. That singular attack triggered a series of political and financial events that have lead us to this point in time. Like many traumas, it takes years for the effects to fully materialize . 

 I look forward to the rest of the series CD.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 21:32 | 145708 MsCreant
MsCreant's picture

You've been on your way to doing something like this the whole time I have been watching you post here. You may not have the pedigree, but I'm tellin' ya dude, long winded academic. And no, I can't give ya tenure.

:-D

Good show.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 21:25 | 145704 msjimmied
msjimmied's picture

CD! Whoa...that was magnificient. I dare not wax eloquent after what I just read. I will however, mentally press my hands together over my heart chakra and bow to the spirit within you.

I wonder about this line though,

"Zero Hedge seems to be a refuge for the walking wounded, a safe haven inside occupied territory for the psychically damaged and demoralized.."

Being exquisitely aware can be a painful experience, the alternative is stupor. The damage and the demoralization is just the process of stripping away the false...

The trading part bought me down with a thud, I liked it when you made the mind soar for the eagle's view.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 21:17 | 145700 Observer
Observer's picture

Most predictions look asinine when compared with true events and almost all predictions turn out to be wrong. Given the multitude of predictions something will actually turn out to have a grain of truth in it. That isn't prediction but simply a guess

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 21:01 | 145691 Herd Redirectio...
Herd Redirection Committee's picture

LOL,  yeah, one band of looters is better.

 

It is because we have been divided and conquered, and then divided again.

To say the Democratic Party is a sham does not resonate with some, because of their idea of what the Democratic Party SHOULD be.  Everyone uses the same word: Republican/Democrat.

But it is the emotions that it evokes in a person that is important.  And we have been trained to respond to one positively, and one negatively, take your pick.  Trust the experts.  If you can't beat 'em, join 'em  (don't fight the elite, if you discover their plans, apparently we are supposed to join them)

 

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 21:00 | 145690 heatbarrier
Mon, 11/30/2009 - 03:43 | 145987 Rusty Shorts
Rusty Shorts's picture

Thanks for the link!!!

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 20:54 | 145685 Anonymous
Anonymous's picture

"We need to develop our intellectual, emotional and financial coping techniques"

the primary pole of a human being is his spiritual side and to neglect it is to miss the entire point of being alive. In other words, firstly, man has his connection to his creator, call it infinity, call it Spirit, call it Allah, whatever. Practically this has the sweet benefit of reducing a mans feeling of self as centre of universe and broadens his view of and concern for: his physical environment and his fellow man, both of which are reflections of God and are thus worthy of mans love and protection. The Native americans, the aborigines and the Indian Yogi all shared this basic worldview and had it as a template for living. Man's optimal state was and is as part of a kinship system of the physical environment and his fellow man, the polar opposite of smiths aggregation of selfish acts in a market.

It may be a long way to go back, but if you really want to get to a different understanding of life, read any book that has the reactions of indigenous people to the white man (I am white btw). Nothing else did more for my clarity and understanding of where we are at now. There were actually people who lived in perfect harmony on this planet, but the myth machines that the OP speak off, tell us they were "savages", idiots who didnt know where the rulers were. "Hell we did them a favour in blowing them off the face of the planet" was the reaction of the english when they came across the aborigines of tasmania. Yet read "Voices of the First Day" and you will be awed by a most incredible and awesome cosmological view. I was at any rate. It changed my outlook on life three sixty degrees.

I will be flamed for this. I dont mean to be pious, I apologies if i sound so. Just think though, if we are looking for truth - the American nation was founded on a bed of lies, as we broke four hundred treaties with the native americans, and systemically destroyed them in what can only be called psychotic behaviour today.

"Our fathers gave us many laws, which they had learned from their fathers. These laws were good. I realized then that we could not hold our own with the white men. We were like deer. They were like grizzly bears. We had small country. Their country was large. We were contented to let things remain as the Great Spirit Chief made them. They were not, and would change the rivers and mountains if they did not suit them."

Chief Joseph

I was dismayed that the OP regressed from an otherwise fine post to a discussion of trading strategies. That is the kind of lower order thinking that got us into this. We have to open our minds and especially our hearts and live by spiritual (not religious) principles if we are to evolve from where we are. Best of luck to you all. We can change and do it and give back to the world we have plundered.

Chief Seattle’s Letter of 1852

“The president in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land. But how can you buy or sell the sky? The land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?

“Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every meadow, every humming insect. All are holy in the memory and experience of my people.

“We know the sap which courses through trees as we know the blood that courses through our veins. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters. The bear, the deer, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the juices in the meadow, the body heat of the pony, and man, all belong to the same family.

“The shinning water that moves in the streams and the rivers is not just water, but the blood of our ancestors. If we sell you our land, you must remember that it is sacred. Each ghostly reflection in the clear waters of the lakes tells of events and memories in the life of my people. The water’s murmur is the voice of my father’s father.

“The rivers are our brothers. They quench our thirst. They carry our canoes and feed our children. So you must give the rivers the kindness you would give any brother.

“If we sell you our land, remember that the air is precious to us, that the air shares its spirit with all life it supports. The wind that gave our grandfather his first breath also receives his last sigh. So if we sell you our land, you must keep it apart and sacred, as a place where man can go to taste the wind that is sweetened by the meadow flowers.

“Will you teach your children what we have taught our children? That the earth is our mother. What befalls the earth befalls the sons of earth.

“This we know: the earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.

“One thing we know: our God is also your God. The earth is precious to him and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on it creator.

“Your destiny is a mystery to us. What will happen when the buffalo are all slaughtered? The wild horses tamed? What will happen when the secret corners of the forest are heavy with the sent of many men and the view of the ripe hills is blotted by talking wires? Where will the thicket be? Gone! Where will the eagle be? Gone! And what is it to say good-bye to the swift pony and the hunt? The end of living and the beginning of survival.

“When the last Red Man has vanished with his wilderness and his memory is only the shadow of a cloud moving across the prairie, will these shores and forests still be here? Will there be any of the spirit of my people left?

“We love this earth as a newborn loves its mother’s heartbeat. So, if we sell you our land, love it as we have loved it. Care for it as we have cared for it. Hold in your mind the memory of the land, as it is when you receive it. Preserve the land for all children and love it, as God loves us all.

“As we are part of the land, you too are part of the land. This earth is precious to us. It is also precious to you. One thing we know: there is only one God. No man, be he Red Man or White Man, can be apart. We are brother after all."

Mon, 11/30/2009 - 00:23 | 145861 trav777
trav777's picture

oh, STFU already with this bullshit

The great injun tribes became such by slaughtering rival tribes and TAKING THEIR LANDS.

The narrative of the injun is EXACTLY the same type of intellectually bankrupt mythical narrative that the OP is about.

Every single major injun tribe or empire became one the same way the white man (and mongols and chinese and arabs and blacks) built their respective empires - by conquest.

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!