Shame on us.
I recently read an article asking where the young protesters were when it was time to rally against the Iraq war, the impending Iran war, the corruption, etc. It asked whether our youth had become so disillusioned and apathetic, seeking only to secure their own future, that they dared not stand up and voice their opinions. I though back to the 2003 anti war rallies, and remembered that here it was mostly fourty somethings who attended, with a smattering of younger people. The latest protest in France on the other hand, with students barricading the university, was about legislation which would impact on their employment. They did not barricade the universities or Paris in 2003 to voice their opinion, but only when it concerned their livelihoods.
Pink ( a singer for those who do not know), is the only one I know that has produced a nicely vitriolic song expressing her opinions, but I'ld be glad to hear of any other songs from a popular singer which get to the point. Nonetheless what happens? A US schoolgirl gets told she cannot perform the song at a talent show. Which makes me wonder how many people know about it. And where are the other songwriters, where is a rewrite of Hair? Even if you look at Hollywood, the main opponents to the war are the older generation Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, and some members of the Sheen family.
So I come to conclude that the writer was correct. Our children no longer really care about anyone else but themselves, their careers and their livelihoods. Yes, they may donate to Greenpeace and Amnesty when asked, but they would not put themselves out to help anyone else. They will not stand up and be counted, but would rather hide in the shadows. Which also explains the growing brutality and thoughtlessness in this world, from "Happy slapping" to fallen old people being ignored in the road. Which explains why people are surpised when you help them, it's just not normal anymore. What an indictment of our education, both at home and in school, and the example we as parents have given them.
Dear Mr. President
Come take a walk with me
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep
What do you feel when you look in the mirror
Are you proud?
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why
Dear Mr. President
Were you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
How can you say
No child is left behind
We're not dumb and we're not blind
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell
What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held
Can you even look me in the eye
Let me tell you bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you bout hard
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you bout hard work
Hard workHard work
You don't know nothing bout hard work
Hard workHard workOh
How do you sleep at
How do you walk with your head held high
Dear Mr. President
You'ld never take a walk with me
Would you
Pink Live
Pink ( a singer for those who do not know), is the only one I know that has produced a nicely vitriolic song expressing her opinions, but I'ld be glad to hear of any other songs from a popular singer which get to the point. Nonetheless what happens? A US schoolgirl gets told she cannot perform the song at a talent show. Which makes me wonder how many people know about it. And where are the other songwriters, where is a rewrite of Hair? Even if you look at Hollywood, the main opponents to the war are the older generation Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, and some members of the Sheen family.
So I come to conclude that the writer was correct. Our children no longer really care about anyone else but themselves, their careers and their livelihoods. Yes, they may donate to Greenpeace and Amnesty when asked, but they would not put themselves out to help anyone else. They will not stand up and be counted, but would rather hide in the shadows. Which also explains the growing brutality and thoughtlessness in this world, from "Happy slapping" to fallen old people being ignored in the road. Which explains why people are surpised when you help them, it's just not normal anymore. What an indictment of our education, both at home and in school, and the example we as parents have given them.
Dear Mr. President
Come take a walk with me
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep
What do you feel when you look in the mirror
Are you proud?
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why
Dear Mr. President
Were you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
Are you a lonely boy
How can you say
No child is left behind
We're not dumb and we're not blind
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell
What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye
How do you walk with your head held
Can you even look me in the eye
Let me tell you bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you bout hard
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you bout hard work
Hard workHard work
You don't know nothing bout hard work
Hard workHard workOh
How do you sleep at
How do you walk with your head held high
Dear Mr. President
You'ld never take a walk with me
Would you
Pink Live
Posted at 6/09/2006 08:00:00 PM UTC
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3 Comment(s):
What a difference a draft would make.
Yes the draft might cure some of it, but the rest is the glorious result of free market capitalism. Okay, so as I am at the profiting end at the moment, maybe I should not complain much. It's the result of such slogans as "Looking out for number one", and is enshrined in such programs like Big Brother. We want to live vicariously, not endanger or expose ourselves. We want to make sure that we are alright, let the others look out for themselves, though for them if they cannot. Every social program abolished or reduced, makes the states finances look better, reduces our taxes, but means that thousands are left worse off.
One way to spot some of the results of our education, is to listen to them speak and what they say about themselves. Not necessarily about politics, the meaning of life, etc, just themselves. And they do not have to be uneducated to produce this result. It's amazing, but people seem to have lost the art of conversation along the way as well. Probably a waste of time if they are not networking or enhancing their careers. A university friend of mine (39, doctor in economics) just has nothing to say, about herself or the state of the world. Her life is so focused on work, getting a good job, and living she just does not take the time to actually think or feel. I dread meeting up with her as she just sits there silent, waiting to be entertained. Urgh!
Great point, Ian. You whining libs manage to be both self-absorbed and self-hating at the same time.
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