Urantia Book Forum : Discussion Board : Study Group

Friday 03 April 2009
by: Henry A. Giroux, t r u t h o u t | Perspective

http://www.truthout.org/040309J

That's a hard read, rhermen...but I appreciate it. Have attempted to discuss this with others, especially with some relatives who have struggled with the right choices for their children. It's been sad to watch them succumb to the manipulations of the mass market advertising, all the while believing they were giving their children what was best for them. I fear we a losing yet another generation because the previous generation was lost and actually doesn't know how to raise the children.
I have no clue how to change the tide because money is the driving force...and it is all so subtle...like mind control.

I did post the article on FB but doubt that very many will read it because it's too long and will ask that they engage their brain. To get their attention it has to be fast and to the point...they have been raised by the media so therefore~~~

Peace
Jo

It's a great read, but also very frustrating because there is virtually nothing we can do. It is a machine, set in place decades ago, and fine-tuned by now. It is the fundamental basis of our civilization. We are all commodities. Our worth is defined by how much we can do in service to those who govern us, how much money we can make to line their pockets. We are allowed to have just enough to make us think we are getting somewhere, but it is leading us nowhere. It is so sad I hate to think about it.

Our society worships economics. Plain and simple. It bows down to money and its power. It does this by allowing others to do their thinking for them. The UBook says wealth flows in certain well-organized channels, and alas, those channels have become Big Business, flooding the globe with a torrent of destruction. It puts a lot of pressure on the upcoming generation's idealism; no wonder drug abuse and alcoholism and suicide are rampant.

Reminds me of a saying we used to have. "Turn on, tune in, drop out." As soon as we think we have it together enough to "drop in" and try to do something about it, we get swallowed up in the machine and rendered impotent. Impotence is no fun. Better to drop out of the values of the system as much as possible and look to other standards, other meanings and values to make life worth living. It can be done; it is being done; it's the only thing that can work. But this ... this is madness. It is unsustainable. I hope.

Another Brick in the Wall (Compliation) Lyrics
Artist(Band):Pink Floyd





You, Yes You, Stand Still Laddie!

When we grew up and went to school, there were certain teachers who would hurt the children anyway they could
by pouring their derision upon anything we did
exposing any weakness however carefully hidden by the kids.

Out in the middle of nowhere they were home at night
their fat and psychopathic wives
Would thrash them within inches of their lives!

ooooooooooooo, oooooooo, ooooooooooo, ooooooooo, ooooooooo, ooooooooo,oooo.

We don't need no education
We don’t need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

(A bunch of kids singing) We don't need no education
We don’t need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teacher! Leave us kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

Spoken:
"Wrong, Guess again!
Wrong, Guess again!
If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding.
How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?
You! Yes, you behind the bikesheds, stand still laddie!"

[Sound of many TV's coming on, all on different channels]
"The Bulls are already out there"
Pink: "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrgh!"
"This Roman Meal bakery thought you'd like to know."

I don't need no arms around me
And I dont need no drugs to calm me.
I have seen the writing on the wall.
Don't think I need anything at all.
No! Don't think I'll need anything at all.
All in all it was all just bricks in the wall.
All in all you were all just bricks in the wall.

Pink Floyd was my brother's favorite musical group.

He committed suicide.

Once upon a time I also liked Pink Floyd. On occasion I still do...for a short period. It does conjure up old dark memories so I can't listen for long. But still...sometimes....

I'm sorry about your brother, Gerdean. Although I have friends who have suffered through that; I have no personal experience with a loved one taking their life. That must be a singular pain that no one on the outside could understand.

Peace

To the extent that all men are my brothers, it is simply a pain that carries over into my work with humanity. It is part of what makes me who I am. It helps motivate my drive to bring about a better world, so that Joe and other people who despair of this life can find a way to hang in there and find the joy in living. You know the saying, "Don't quit before the miracle happens"? Well, my novel, my life's work, is dedicated to those people who could not wait. Alas, a lot of them slip through the cracks, and in each instance I am inclined to feel a sense of responsibility and loss.

Hi Everyone and thanks for the responses!

Gerdean, I am sorry to hear of your brother. Let me state that it is not my intention to promote frustration. Quite often, people who are so frustrated (and hopeless) do unfortunately commit suicide.

I am promoting awareness. Why? Because in order to heal frustration and hopelessness, people must first become aware that the situation exists. Having become aware that a situation exists, people can then make better choices for themselves and their families. People, especially parents, who visualize a more peaceful future for the human family will most likely not allow their children to be treated as a commodity or allow their kids to play video games which promote violence.

Hence, by increasing awareness and hopefully promoting the ability to make better choices for a more peaceful future, I am doing something.

Randy

i admit, fully, to a VERY quick perusal of this thread
and
believe that it IS, mostly, about,

how do we take in all the facts

(given what condition OUR condition is in)

and stay focused on the positive while NOT succumbing to the negative?


i PRAY

love to all,
susan