Nvrgnbck:
Disagreeing with someone is not disrespecting them. In truth, the words you posted were someone elses so Jnat was not even disagreeing with you but with the authors words. I too also found the piece loaded with hyberbole. For instance:
And it is also time to end the nightmare of slavery to the diseased ideals of mindless growth, rapacious consumption, and the utterly insane notion that unrestrained self-interest ought not be controlled.
Slavery implies a lack of freedom of choice. No one is forcing us to follow the diseased ideals of mindless growth, and rapacious consumption. We make that choice individually every time we go to the mall and by a bunch of useless junk we don't really need. It is our responsibility to spend our money wisely and responsibly. Just say no! We are not brainwashed morons without the power to see through consumer advertising or say no to salesman. Without demand, supply will be curtailed. Also, I have never met anyone promoting the notion that unrestrained self-interest ought not to be controlled. I'm sure there are some people like that somewhere but they are well, insane! The rest of us don't have to jump on their bandwagon. Without an audience, a madman spouting insanity is just talking to himself.
Though the fundamental Freedom to pursue one's own interests is absolutely vital—even sacred and must be protected—we must stop justifying the cruel, unrestrained pursuit of wealth and power. We must stop Glorifying Greed with the now popular lie that unfettered avarice is our best guide down the Path of the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number!
Fundamental freedom to pursue self-interest is sacred is a highly debatable statement. Sure, if we have the power to stop people justifying the cruel and unrestrained pursuit of wealth and power and glorifying greed, by all means give it our best shot. Again, I haven't ever run into a lot of these people, although I don't doubt a few of them do exist.
It is time to heal, to restore ourselves, our communities, and our planet. It is time to remember and reclaim our power, to awaken and celebrate our spirit. It is time to discover and learn, to teach one another, and to share the truths we can each perceive with our own minds using our own eyes and our own ears. It is time to put our world back right.
Sounds great! Anyone actually have a viable plan to make any of that happen? Talk is cheap. I actually have met a lot of great people in this world working their asses off to make it a better place.
And, maybe, it is not too late.
Hopefully not!
[Peace to all,
Yes, peaceful protests are a good and time honored way to bring public attention to injustices. Kidnapping CEO's, and vandalising private and public property are not peaceful last time I checked. Just think what kind of world it would be if socially conscious me thought it was alright for me to spraypaint my greedy neighbour's monstrous house and gas guzzling SUV bright red. Or kidnap her CEO husband and hold him for ransom. It's Ok because my intentions were good. I was going to give all the money to environmental causes! Hopefully, the hungry, homeless guy down the street won't take exception to my middle class little bungalow and 4 cylinder vehicle!
Cog
