Bill Moyers: There is no tomorrow (journalist cant hide despair)

[Monkie]

http://truthout.org/docs_2005/013105F.shtml

"One of the biggest changes in politics in my lifetime is that the delusional is no longer marginal. It has come in from the fringe, to sit in the seat of power in the Oval Office and in Congress. For the first time in our history, ideology and theology hold a monopoly of power in Washington"
~snip~
" It is hard for the journalist to report a story like this with any credibility. So let me put it on a personal level. I myself don't know how to be in this world without expecting a confident future and getting up every morning to do what I can to bring it about. So I have always been an optimist. Now, however, I think of my friend on Wall Street whom I once asked: "What do you think of the market?"I'm optimistic," he answered. "Then why do you look so worried?" And he answered: "Because I am not sure my optimism is justified."
~snip~
"I read all this and look up at the pictures on my desk, next to the computer - pictures of my grandchildren. I see the future looking back at me from those photographs and I say, "Father, forgive us, for we know not what we do." And then I am stopped short by the thought: "That's not right. We do know what we are doing. We are stealing their future. Betraying their trust. Despoiling their world.""

[ultraist]

1. EXCELLENT article!

excerpt
"That's right - the rapture index. Google it and you will find that the best-selling books in America today are the 12 volumes of the "Left Behind" series written by the Christian fundamentalist and religious-right warrior Timothy LaHaye. These true believers subscribe to a fantastical theology concocted in the 19th century by a couple of immigrant preachers who took disparate passages from the Bible and wove them into a narrative that has captivated the imagination of millions of Americans.

Its outline is rather simple, if bizarre (the British writer George Monbiot recently did a brilliant dissection of it and I am indebted to him for adding to my own understanding): Once Israel has occupied the rest of its "biblical lands," legions of the antichrist will attack it, triggering a final showdown in the valley of Armageddon.

As the Jews who have not been converted are burned, the messiah will return for the rapture. True believers will be lifted out of their clothes and transported to Heaven, where, seated next to the right hand of God, they will watch their political and religious opponents suffer plagues of boils, sores, locusts and frogs during the several years of tribulation that follow."
****

Scary

[candy]

2. I'm roughly Moyers' age and have grandchildren but I don't feel

as negative as he does.Good things happen,bad things happen,and we have term limits,thank God.

The glass is 1/2 full as far as I'm concerned---Moyers sounds depressed,no question about it,but a more positive outlook will help for the 4 years ahead.

[MADem]

7. I think he does really struggle with depression

...and I think you are right, he IS depressed.

But I also think he's right. Hitler was democratically elected in 1933. Look at what happened there!!

[KG]

21. hitler was not elected.

common fallacy.

[Joe Power]

12. It's different this time

This experiment has failed.

[indepat]

3. And the American people clamor for more, for four more years, in

amazing numbers.

[AlinPA]

4. My thinking is close to Moyers'. 1/3 of teenagers think the 1st

amendment is too strict. 20% think that it would be OK to censor newspapers. These people in the white house and congress are moving really fast now to make this a fascist-theocracy. They are very close to a veto proof senate.

[gizmo1979]

5. Moyers one of the last democratic voices.

Moyers is the man,but even he is fading out.His show on pbs is only one half hour followed by Tucker Carlson,what kinda crap is that.Tucker couldn't carry Moyers jock!

[donheld]

6. I love Bill Moyers

He paints a bleak picture, but i think he's right on track.

[DrZeeLit]

9. I agree. He's a National Treasure.

I hope he continues to write and publish.
His honesty gives me something with which to cling to HOPE.

[indigobusiness]

19. I agree, Professor.

He's fixing to take the gloves off, I reckon.

---
OT- I've been meaning to talk to you about ordering one of your Mondrian bags.

I see you survived the holidays.

[The Zanti Regent]

8. America is dead. It was overthrown by Jesusland

President Asshole has steered the ship of state on a collision course with an iceberg and there is nothing we can do to stop him or the Jesusistas.

The only way out is to jump ship and support secession.

[Poppyseedman]

11. President Asshole

will be gone in 2008. There is always hope for tomorrow.

Jesusland is a figment of the MSM propaganda machine. Just because someone makes a map up and calls it Jesusland, doesn't make it true.

There is no Jesusland. Just normal Americans, some who think religion convictions should supersede secular culture. They have no power in your life unless you give it to them.

They are the fringe and should be treated as such.

Unless you think that anyone who believes in God is a religious fanatic.

[mhr]

13. You Are Wrong - Jesusland Is Real - Watch This Video For Proof

To All,

Often we hear terms that define groups without having the background to understand the group well. The following Real Media video will explain the movement and people that are behind the Republican takeover of our Democracy - Dominionists and Christian Reconstructionists.

http://www.theocracywatch.org/av/video_dominion.ram

One should take the time to watch the video since it will crystallize the battle we face in keeping our secular democratic state. Do not underestimate the people or movement that is working diligently to recast our government into a theocracy.

More information can be found here:

http://www.theocracywatch.org/audio-video.htm

As is oft said "knowledge is power."

[Poppyseedman]

14. You should have warned me

to wear my tin hat. No offense, but, I'll seen this before.

I have no doubt at all, the some of these powerful man do believe that living according to God's word and principles is the "only" way to live and would love for the country to believe as they do. One simple problem.

Just how are they going to force their "dominion" view on us. By the military,(never happen) by passing laws,(takes a majority) by the gun, (America is armed to the teeth)?

Our form of government has built in protections against such power grabs and tyranny. They will only go so far before the gig is up.

It is after all, "government for the people by the people" The people will not take to being forced to swallow this and VOTE THEM OUT.

Please spare me the "We are just like Germany before Hilter come to power" speech.

[mhr]

15. Well If Your Arguments Are Correct - How Did We Get So Far Down The

Fascist path so quickly?

Seems your faith in "checks and balances" needs a little reconsideration.

As a Texas resident, I can state without reservation that the attitudes and goals expressed by the Dominionists are as real as the sun rising tomorrow.

I will not dismiss them as lightly as you have.

[Poppyseedman]

16. Fascist path?

Oh' I certainly think the Dominionists are real ? I lived in Texas for 11 years. It's a movement that has been around for almost 30 years. I have researched them for 20 years.

The simple problem with their movement is almost nobody actually believes in their world view, except for the few.

Imagine, Tom Delay going to the floor of the congress to implore passage of the "Dominionist Theocracy Omibus Bill" superseding all current constitutional law and replacing it with Biblical law. I think the Sargent at arms would probably have all the help he needed to haul him away.

As for the path of fascism? Bush will be gone in 2008. If the Democratic party can get it collective head out of it's rear end, we might have a chance to gain some power.

[mhr]

17. The Point About The Dominionists Is That The Leadership Believes

The flock is blindly following. If you watch the video you will see that Tom Delay has publicly stated his Dominion belief, just not on the floor of the House.

As to the Fascist path, I do not have as mush faith in the Democratic party as you do.

I have been financially destroyed (unemployed 57 months) by the Republicans and where they have already taken this country. I do not have the time to wait four more years.

[The Zanti Regent]

18. What will you say when the Nazis come for YOU?

You need to wake up from your dream that you live in a lasseiz fairyland!

[blindpig]

10. I read the news today, oh boy

Where is hope? As the Sex Pistols said"no future for YOU!" Between population, coporations and christofascist out of control I cannot see much to be upbeat about. If Moyers sounds depressed he has good reason. In the meantime we're like Dylan's Mr Jones, though to be honest any realistic attempt to change the course of human affairs will most likely be squashed by any means necessary. Whateverthehell these insane monsters are up to they are in the drivers seat and like it there.
Every time a breakpoint goes sideways on us I think "we've got one more chance to get it right". Not so sure now.

When given the choice of rage or dispair what will you choose?

[roseBudd]

20. The reason I am not resigned is because I know there are more fornicators

than not. That is what they think of us, the secular people who had sex before marriage, who cohabited. We are the people who party and like to have a good time and think everyone else should mind their own damn business.

There are way more of us, than there are of those people that go to church every Sunday (or more) only listen to that weak Christian rock and are virgins, celibate or married to another uptight christian.

there are more of us and the more the EVANGELICALS brag about imposing their no fun TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL existence, that is when all those never voted before slackers who value their partying and their rock and roll and their porn are going to rise up and VOTE.

Because TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL is just too horrible to contemplate...