Military-Industrial Complex

[Cogito, ergo sum]

more on it soon . . .
in the interim watch this docu



http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3405669348838274375

[Cogito, ergo sum]

its funny how some of our most knowledgeable presidents (i.e. washington/eisenhower) often give these deep, and powerful farewell addresses and as a society we choose to ignore, or simply forget their words to our world. I believe the answer to the "why?" leads to another question; which is the most universal human characteristic, fear or laziness?

[Lateral Exploration]

What i can't wrap my mind around is how the military-industrial complex is so intertwined into the political system that it's impossible to seperate the two. How can we ever have a hope for peace when the worlds greatest nation's economy is tied reliantly into its governments military.

As for forgetting the wisdom imparted generation after generation...I believe that answer lays somewhere in ignorance. As in the waking life video, it is ignorance that has led humanity to remain at the sum of zeros... it's a constant ignorance of the parting words of our presidents, ignorance of the wisdom that surrounds us. And it's ignorance thats led to the insane repetition of fear and laziness throughout our society. Is humanity capable of realizing that in many ways they are one in the same, they both an effect of ignorance and then take responsibility and evolve?

[White Daisy.]

it seems fear and laziness are in many ways inextricably entwined... we fear because we are lazy i.e. it's so easy being complacent we fear what is 'out there'. applying that same reason we are lazy because we fear. a cycle that appears to have no escape root. but perhaps there is...

the follow - up question, is then, be it fear or laziness, why are they our most universal characteristics? at least partially, i think it is because most people believe that in refusing complacency they may "lose" ... or vice versa that they have nothing to gain. (or even worse, that they are just indifference)

Eisenhower's address is deep, passionate, even inspiring, but part of the trouble is that words devoid of action is mere rhetoric. our words have lost meaning. the principles our country was founded are extraordinary. they make you truly proud to be an American citizen. and you don't even have to go back to the declaration of independence to find them. our modern day tort system is a perfect example. its a facet of the law who's essence is to ensure that in our everyday lives we are concerned with the well being of those in our midst - so rare for a country to require.

yet, there appears to be no connection with the principles and values our leaders preach, and the way most people live. exhibit a - our ex - governor.

there is an actual escape root, that goes beyond words, but it requires energy and hard work. energy buried so deep, many of us have forgotten how to use it, or that they even have it. an energy, that will unite our communities, and invigorate the words our nation was founded on.

an illustration of this is San Francisco in the 1950's. when most people think of this city's history, the 1960's come to mind - the era of the Summer of Love and Haight - Ashbury. But in the previous decade, it was a city filled with thoughtful, hardworking, ambitious immigrants and their children, who, (in contrast to the fearful/lazy) had nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Doctors, businessmen, firemen, lawyers, teachers, policemen, students co - mingled sincerely. The city was both cozy and booming - a true model of a committed community and the power and beauty of civic harmony.

the positive aspect of the recession in our midst, may be a mass awakening to the possibility, that like the immigrants generations ago we will again have nothing to lose and everything to gain. but that is only the beginning... we must also, both on an individual and communal level, cultivate a love for our work, whatever vocation that may be. the San Franciscan's of the 50's didn't merely work to live - they were running away from countries filled with oppression and they had a love affair with America's values and as a result their work. This isn't to suggest that we necessarily have to become workaholics, but rather reach a point of taking such joy and pride in what we do, that we lose ourselves, and in turn gain communal tranquility.