Knowing Too Much a Political Sin?

I was reading Politico.Com today and a particular article I was reading entitled, "Obama: The know-too-much candidate" sparked some thoughts. I touches upon the issue of elitism in American society and politics and how this is seeming to work to the detriment of the Obama campaign. From there I thought about what it means to be considered "elitist". To me, there are two kinds of elitism that we need to talk about: economic and intellectual. They often oppose each other, but at times can work together because as we know, or are taught to believe, knowledge is power and power is money, therefore, knowledge is money. However, they do diverge and there are actually intellectuals out there who aren't focused purely on money, but rather on changing society and uplifting minds.

Unfortunately, economic elitism reigns supreme and often impacts the hearts and minds of those in every economic strata of society. This pains me because this is how we have Presidents like George W. Bush. He tells people, "I think like you", "I feel your pain", or just plain "We're the same people" because he speaks plainly, off the cuff, and often in painful vernacular. However, underneath he is not like the average middle class, or working class American. The guy is filthy rich, came from a privileged family, and doesn't know the kind of struggle that the rest of America generally has to endure to get ahead. America is very often duped by rhetoric instead of paying attention to the substance. Appearance if everything since whether personally culpable or not, individuals don't search for deeper information on the issues. We read our NY Times and watch our CNN and that is it. But, as much as I like these news sources, I realize that even these institutions feed into establishment thought which takes an omniscient and often presumptuous tone; And maybe that is to be expected, after all you're relating news, you want to sounds like you know what you're talking about, but this leads people to believe one news source is enough to provide themselves with the necessary perspective to have an accurate opinion.

What this means is that a large segment of the American population disregards economic elitism, the result being the widespread belief that there is no class war in America. America is middle class right? So there is no class war because there is no class in America - WRONG. Then Americana, particularly those at the lower levels of the economic strata, loath what they regard as intellectual elitism; the elitism that we generally speak of when the word is invoked. They don't like being told what to do, they don't' like being told what is right or wrong, and they certainly don't like being told that they don't know what they are talking about. More often than not they are just perceiving things this way, though I will admit there are some pretentious, arrogant, intellectuals out there.

What is more dangerous to society, economic or intellectual elitism? I would have to say economic elitism, since we've elected a President who is an economic elitist, but plays that part of average joe, but behind the scenes he is working to the detriment of every American's interest, except for of course the upper 1% of the population. The above mentioned article touches upon Obama's fault of sounding like he knows what he's talking about, of sounding smart, of knowing too much. This is incredulous. Knowing allows one to have various perspectives and to understand the various kinds of Americans that there are. That is the kind of President I want. Not one like George W. Bush who only knows, rich, white, and southern. Sure Obama might not know what it's like to be layed off and without health care, but at least he attempts to empathize in some way, which is more we than we can say for many other politicians.

I don't know what the answer is. I understand the working class to some extent since I am an outgrowth of it. I still harbor some of the defensiveness and anxiety when you are confronted by somebody who is educated, or who may know more than I, but we all serve to benefit from moving away from this. Knowledge is power, and it allows working class folks on up to not be duped by people like George W. Bush who talk the talk, but walk a different walk that we will never experience. Intellectuals disseminate information thus uplifting all Americans who choose to listen, even if they disagree. We learn from challenging our assumptions, our ideas, and our beliefs. We need a leaders who challenge their own. Most importantly though, we need to become class conscious, shun economic elitism, and absorb more information as individuals so we can fight the way our country is going. Is America a Democracy or a Business? Democracy is about freedom of thought, belief, and understanding, it is about being our own intellectuals. Business is about competition, profit, greed, and riches at whatever cost. Right now it is confusing, but it's up to Americans to stop being duped.


The above opinions are associated with the following article.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0408/9925.html

Carter Meets With Hamas Officials

Ok, so I'm not going to profess to be anything near an expert on middle east affairs, in particular the contentious situation between Israel and Palestine; I do however, try to pay attention to what is going on and I find he animosity and opposition expressed toward former U.S. President Jimmy Carter to be both provocative and disagreeable. United States officials have condemned Carter for, "engaging in diplomacy with a group they consider a terrorist group." I'm sure this is an outgrowth if America's very close relationship with Israel, their key ally in the region, and it's also a very predictable one for various reasons.

Carter has been quoted as saying thus, "I'm not a negotiator. I'm just trying to understand different opinions and communicate, provide communications between people that won't communicate with each other," WOW, what an idea! How dare he try to bridge the communication gap between the United States and an organization that they classify as an enemy! I don't think we should ever view diplomacy or dialogue with an "enemy" as being detrimental to anything other than this inexorable push the United States always has for war and bullying opposition. Too often our country turns a deaf ear to anybody who disagrees which only compounds the problems and contention that we face from other countries. Establishing a discourse between two opposing parties is always beneficial since it can build a rapport between nations, and possibly even lend itself to more amicable relations. Hamas may be conducting terrorist operations, but who the terrorist is and who the victim is will always be a matter of perspective and is completely subjective. To some nations we are terrorist are we not? Terrorism should be defined by the act, not by the pretext which it is operated under, or the nation that commits it.

So where does this leave us? We should laud Carter for trying to understand the opposition. Often when complaints are raised, even in our own personal lives, you can pacify the opposition simply by holding them with some regard, by taking them as legitimate grievances. Think about it; Do you listen to someone when they assign universal labels to you in an assuming and pretentious manner? Absolutely not, one takes offense and shuts down their senses of logic and reason. Of course it is much harder to control one's self than to drop bombs and call out the troops. This where it is important for us as citizens of this country to not buy in to the beat of the war drum, to denounce rhetoric that fosters distance rather than diplomacy. Idealist yes, but not unreal or impossible if you think about it.

Now I know what you're thinking you jingoistic flag waving patriots! Remember 9/11! Kill the terrorists! You're supporting terrorism! No, my friends you're supporting terrorism; whether it's state sanctioned or not, the United States is guilty of terrorist acts much like other countries and non state organizations out there. Think about our activities in Latin America....the U.S. has conducted operations on innocent civilians, killing numbers that would pail in comparison to those who died in the World Trade Center attacks. And no, I am not condoning their actions, these people didn't have it coming, our government maybe, but not the innocent civilians, but they're the ones who are caught in the middle of these squabbles and who end up dying, not our leaders or rulers. So appreciate what Carter is doing, he could be saving your sons and daughters from going to war.

Again, I don't condone terrorism from any country, including my own. I would denounce it no matter what the country. I find it irritating when those in our country paint others terrorist in complete disregard for our own troubled past. To disagree is understandable and expected between members of the world community, but what is wrong with talking things out? Yes it takes more time, yet it may mean that the U.S. has to give something up to find that happy medium, and yes it is very very hard work, but the results are much longer lasting than war. War and distrust begets much of the same. So thank you, Jimmy Carter, for trying to understand an issue before drawing conclusions and making judgment calls, I wish our leaders currently in office would take your lead.

All quoted material is from the following article from CNN.COM.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/18/carter.hamas/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

I've found the recent protestations over the host country for the Olympic games to be quite intriguing. On one hand I feel, like those opposing or disagreeing with the protesters, that we should not politicize the games, that they should be about competition, togetherness, and brother/sisterhood. One the other hand I appreciate what these protesters are doing because they are drawing attention to an important blemish on China's records; their human rights record. I love seeing this kind of fervor developing for another country because it shows that we can transcend national boundaries and show empathy and heart for our fellow human beings, no matter what their nationality. Citizens of the world are coming together on this and it truly is enjoyable to see.

I envy these protesters in certain ways. I envy their zeal, commitment, and audacity. It takes immense heart and passion to turn against the current of mainstream society, to stand up and "yell out in defiance, your rules not for me" as a favorite Pennywise song of mine goes. To me, bravery or heroism is not hitting two free throws to win a championship or nailing your wide receiver between three defenders to win a Superbowl, real heroism are these people who stand up for what they believe in despite criticism and potential ostracism by those around them. I laud these protesters and scorn the disrespect they are shown by the "authorities". I always find it interesting how untouchable official ceremonial proceedings are. There is this diligence about ensuring that they are seen through to the end; they are viewed as tainted or spoiled if a few people try to highlight their concern over a lack of humanity within the borders of a growing world power. The central issue here is thus; Why did the Olympic committee grant China, a country that does not represent the spirit of the games, the privilege of hosting the games? Yes, the games should not be politicized, but this isn't about politics, this is about humanity, and is that not what the games are about?

A small note on the presidential race...The recent revelations about the lies, and skewing of the facts by Hillary Clinton is emblematic of her character. Many politicians use indirectness and inflationary tactics to boost the perception of their character, but the obviousness of her lies has been scandalous. Come on Hillary, you touched down in a war zone with bullets whistling all around you? Really? I know you're trying to play the tough gal on defense, but conservatives are suppose to be the delusional ones here.

One final note. If you are a gun toting red neck who feels that guns are a central issue in today's political world, you're wrong! The obsession some Americans have with guns truly is troublesome, and indicative of the paranoia and tough guy complex some are sick with, but Uncle Sam doesn't want your guns; And if you're going to invoke the Second Amendment, know it's damn context and what it means. The Second Amendment is outdated, it was initially inserted into the Bill of Rights because Americans needed guns to hunt for food, and protect themselves because they're weren't any real institionalized law enforcement agences or national military. Guns should be a privelege, not a right. We don't need to hunt for food, and we have law enforcement and an military to protect us. Sorry Jonny Reb, but Al Queda doesn't give a shit about you or your Dog so you don't even need a gun to protect you from them. Find something else to compensate for your insufficient manhood.