Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Frivolity

The world is an interesting place right now.  Here is a short list off of the top of my head about events that are occurring, events that may have long-term historical impact:
  • Greece looks like it will finally leave the Euro.  This may participate a financial crisis as Greek government bonds are repudiated; almost all of these bonds are held by European banks.
  • The Middle East is even more messed up than normal, with ISIS fighting pretty much everyone, Iran going nuclear, and Saudi Arabia likely already in possession of one or more nuclear weapons.  Non-Proliferation has collapsed, and in the most unstable part of the globe.
  • Vladimir Putin is threatening Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic states.  The "Reset" has been shown to be a joke.
  • China has achieved something not seen for 70 years - the re-armament of Japan in response to aggressive Chinese moves in the South China Sea.
  • The economy is stalling out (again, if indeed it has ever recovered from the Great Recession).  Record numbers of Americans simply do not work.
So what are the news topics of the day?  What are the stories that get wall-to-wall coverage in what remains of our hollowed-out Press?

Some people don't like a flag.  And Bruce Jenner says that he's a woman.

A cynic would say that the frivolity is nothing but the Media trying to protect the Obama Administration from the results of their terrible policy choices.  In which case, of what use is the Media?  The truly terrifying alternative is that this merely reflects the decadence of this age of the Republic.

But all is well, Citizen.  The Circuses are entertaining, and the Bread is free.  And the Chocolate Ration has been increased from 3 ounces to 2.5 ounces ...

3 comments:

Matt W said...

So damn depressing.

I say just enjoy what freedom we still have, while we have it. Get to the range regularly. Buy a nice single malt Scotch. Sit back and listen to some Dvořák, Miles Davis, or Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Sometimes it feels like we are past the event horizon. When the country or world collapse finally impacts my ability to live a (relatively) free life then I will decide what drastic action to take.

The only problem I have living that attitude myself is that I want a life of freedom for my girls, 4 and 1, and my heart aches that they may not enter adult hood as free as when they were born.

Sherm said...

On the bright side, when it collapses we'll all be able to get raisins in our gruel.

Ken said...

"A cynic would say that the frivolity is nothing but the Media trying to protect the Obama Administration from the results of their terrible policy choices. In which case, of what use is the Media? The truly terrifying alternative is that this merely reflects the decadence of this age of the Republic."

Why can't it be a floor wax and a dessert topping?