I couldnt believe how many pictures I ended up with of people taking pictures. For every five people in these cities, I imagine there were at least a dozen cameras.

“Of all the vulgar modes of escaping from the consideration of the effect of social and moral influences upon the human mind, the must vulgar is that of attributing the diversities of conduct and character to inherent natural differences” – nineteenth century English philosopher John Stuart Mill.

- Howard Zinn – Declarations of Independence

Wondering what has changed? Read about it here.

Using the atomic bombs on populated cities was justified in moral terms by American political leaders.  Henry Stimson, whose Interim Committee had the job of deciding whether or not to use the atomic bomb, said later it was done “to end the war in victory with the least possible cost in the lives of the men of the armies.”  This was based on the assumption that without atomic bombs, an invasion of Japan would be necessary, which would cost many American lives.

- Howard Zinn – Declarations of Independence

Wondering what has changed? Read about it here.

To depend on great thinkers, authorities, and experts is, it seems to me, a violation of the spirit of democracy.  Democracy rests on the idea that, except for technical details for which experts may be useful, the importants decisions of society are within the capability of ordinary citizens.  Not can ordinary people make decisions about these issues, but they ought to, because citizens understand their own interests more clearly than any experts.

- Howard Zinn – Declarations of Independence

Wondering what has changed? Read about it here.

There is the same limited choice in public policy.  During the Vietnam War, the argument for a long time was between those who wanted a total bombing of Indochina and those who wanted a limited bombing.  The choice of withdrawing from Vietnam altogether was not offered.  Daniel Ellsberg, working for Henry Kissinger n 1969, was given the job of drawing a list of alternative policies on Vietnam.  As one possibility on his long list he suggested total withdrawal from the war.  Kissinger looked at the possibilities and crossed that one off the list before giving the list to President Richard Nixon.

- Howard Zinn – Declarations of Independence

Wondering what has changed? Read about it here.

Because force is held in reserve and the control is not complete, we can call ourselves a ‘democracy.’  True, the openings and the flexibility make a such society more desirable place to live.  But they also create a more effective form of control.  We are less likely to object if we can feel that we have a ‘pluralist’ society, with two parties instead of one, three branches of government instead of one-man rule, and various opinions in the press instead of one official line.

A close look at this pluralism shows that it is very limited.  We have the kinds of choices that are given in multiple-choice tests, where you can choose a, b, c, or d.  Bue e, f, g, and h are not even listed.

And so we have the Democratic and Republican parties (choose a or b), but no others are really tolerated or encouraged or financed.  Indeed there is a law limiting the nationally televised presidential debates to the two major parties.

- Howard Zinn – Declarations of Independence

Wondering what has changed? Read about it here.

What’s with the guy in the Tin-Man outfit in the back?

Roller derby is a conundrum to me.

That tie just doesnt look comfortable.
Sug is starting to look like the damn Predator.

Him:  You know, I liked the Broadway Cafe better before all these jobless hipsters hung out here all day long.

Her: I know!  Their music is almost as bad as their facial hair and ‘bicycle-hip’ fashons!

Him: I’m glad I’m not a late-20-something with no responsibilities, it’s like the new-hippy.

Her: Oh honey, you’re so sweet when you hipster-bash, it makes me fall in love with you all over again.

On my latest trip to Florida, we all got to spend a day fishing for sailfish.  I have never seen a bunch of drunks take something so seriously.  All week during training, they talked and emailed during class, but as soon as someone had something to tell the group about the upcoming fishing trip, they were like prep school students.

We didt catch much, but we drank much.  Even when someone was reelin’, he was not excused from the drinking activities.