The Drumbeats Grow Louder
Photo credit: taliesin from morguefile.com
(please note that the persons above are re-enactors and are not actively taking part in war exercises)
More and more frequently, I am seeing public, blatant, explicit statements and calls to action from my fellow Americans urging violence and war here at home. It’s easy to dismiss those as the statements of a few kooks when they are few and far between, but I am running across them more and more frequently. And in far more “mainstream” places than you might expect; most recently, quite literally in the comments section of the Wall Street Journal. And I’m not just talking about one comment by one person, I’m talking about hundreds of comments, there and elsewhere, over a period of months.
These people are calling, quite literally, openly, and explicitly for civil war.
I am calling for people to get a grip and to think things through very carefully.
There’s no denying that large portions of the American population are angry and frightened to an extent that has certainly not been seen in my nearly 42 years of existence. But calling for violence should be the absolute last resort. Ideally it should never, ever happen. But what it won’t be, even if it does happen, is glorious. It’s not possible to be romantic and glorious and wage war at the same time.
Leaving the issue of the morality of war aside, the fact of the matter is that any time there is civil war, innocent people – men, women, and children- are always hurt, always killed, maimed, and at the very least, traumatized and displaced. It is also very difficult in a society like the USA to identify precisely “who the enemies are.” For all of you who are calling for blood it’s a good idea to stop and take a look in the mirror, first, and to try to use your logical faculties. The fact of the matter is that we ALL created this culture which has led us to where we are. We have ALL contributed to thing being the way that they are. Most of us have made poor decisions, been apolitical or disinterested, and we have given ourselves the “leaders” which we deserve. We have voted with our pocketbooks, for example, to say that sports stars are more “important” than schoolteachers, we have allowed our infrastructure to crumble to the point that there are third world countries with better systems in place, all in the name of “we don’t want to pay taxes.” Let’s face it, nobody likes to pay taxes. But, the fact of the matter is – taxes are how we purchase civilization. (to steal from Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes.) Read the rest of this post »
March 13, 2010
Tags: common sense, critical thinking, danger, film, questions, sanity, war Posted in: Insane 
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Do As I Say, Not as I’ve Done: Trying Too Hard Is a Problem
Well, many of us hear that “Do as I say, not as I do” thing as children, and yes, it’s annoying. But Ms. Sanity has inadvertantly provided a fabulous example of things not to do, and why people say that “do as I say…” thing. It can be helpful when we learn from the mistakes of others, so gather round as I wave my mistake in the air to show you. Here’s the issue: Frankly, I have been shooting myself in the foot here in Sanityland. When I work on this blog, I want it to be good. Interesting, helpful, different, you know, all of those things. I’ve been on some level trying too hard, and the upshot has been that I’ve done nothing. This is not good. Don’t do that.
Of course, in order to be a good blogger, one has to be consistent, one has to post regularly. Obviously Ms. Sanity has been falling down in that regard. Ms. Sanity’s Mother has noticed this behavior for many a year now–she calls it the “Refusing to write a letter unless all the pencils in the house are sharpened, and you have the most beautiful stationery to use phenomenon,” when of course, the recipient would just be happy to get a durn letter from Ms. Sanity.
Mum’s right on the money there. One should just write the letter. And I know for a fact that I am not the only one with this phenomenon.
Read the rest of this post »
November 26, 2009
Tags: attitudes, blogging, calmness, capacity building, Congress, insanity, priorities, thoughts, Tips, writing Posted in: Insane, Tips One Comment
Five Helpful Things to Consider For a Happier Life
We all have challenges in our lives, there’s no question of that. And some years (decades?) are far more challenging than others. However, there are some time-tested and fairly (to Ms. Sanity) unquestionable “laws” of life that will go a long way to helping folks lead happier, lest angst-filled lives. Yes, some of you will know every inch of all of these. Life has taught me that things that seem self-evident to me are not so to everyone. So without further ado, here’s the list:
1.) You are really and truly the only – yes, only -darn person you can control. There’s no question that you can affect others, you can, and you should. But change them? Nope, not in this lifetime, not on this spiritual plane. That doesn’t mean that we all can sit by and say “ho hum, well, then, there’s nothing I can or should do except do my own thing.” That’s a cop out. What it DOES mean is that trying to control others is futile and crazy-making at best, and a recipe for unmitigated disaster in many, many circumstances. Once you really come to terms with this, every day gets easier. Make peace with this one quickly. Read the rest of this post »
October 27, 2009
Tags: capacity building, common sense, conservatives, critical thinking, health, sanity, thoughts, Tips Posted in: Sane, Tips No Comments
Republican Ideas About Health Care in A Nutshell: Quotation of the Century.
Apologies for this drive by posting (and slow posting schedule of late…) but I’ve been up to my eyeballs in a multitude of levels and your Ms. Sanity hesitates to write you darling people unless she’s feeling at least marginally sane.
Anyway, ran across this, and it needed more eyeballs:
Apparently Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), explaining the Republican health care plan could pare it down to two little words:
“Die quickly.”
~Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)
Major hat tip to twitterist @Ander517 who brought this to my attention. Said Mr. Anders also added the following link which has a video clip, lest you think we make all this stuff up: click here.
Personally I couldn’t watch it. One is wise to know when to limit one’s news consumption, and I hit that mark a while back….
Onward and upward folks. Personally, I hope none of you die quickly. But then I’m not afraid of health care reform. And it’s not because I expect the frigging government to take care of all my needs, either. But that’s another post…
September 30, 2009
Tags: attitudes, Congress, conservatives, health, insanity, Republicans, Tips Posted in: Insane No Comments
Please Cut The Crap on Health Care Discussions
I am really, really, really, really tired of the blatant, self serving, and manipulative lies coming out of the Right wing and the $1.4 million/day (look it up!) health insurers’ lobby regarding possible changes to the US health care system.
Over and over and over ad nauseum I’ve seen blogs and “tweets” and letters to the editor filled with craziness, outright, bald-faced lies and inaccuracies not only about the intentions and effects of the (FOUR) potential, proposed bills/new systems – but also about what life is like in the rest of the civilized world where they DO have universal health care. (For you accuracy buffs, there’s no such thing as “Obamacare”… yet, anyway.) Read the rest of this post »
September 2, 2009
Tags: attitudes, common sense, Congress, conservatives, corruption, critical thinking, culture, health, insanity, rant, taxes Posted in: Insane No Comments
Of Mania and Manic Meltdowns
Obviously this blog is called Manic Meltdown, and just as clearly to those who look around a bit, I rarely write about truly being manic. That’s largely because I rarely am manic, myself, I’m more of a unipolar depressive type myself, when my grip slips. (Yes, I know, that’s shocking to those of you who actually know Ms. Sanity…)
Anyway, manic depression (actually the proper term these days is “bipolar disorder,”) truthfully does run in my family along with a host of other ummmm… interesting mental proclivities. Accordingly, I thought it might be helpful to the casual observer or those of you who land here because you are looking for information on mania – for me to offer a bit of anecdotal information about what I know about mania and “real” manic meltdowns.
The best source of information of course is always a qualified medical or psychiatric practitioner, and
nothing in this blog or anywhere else in the universe should be taken to be actual medical advice unless
you’re under direct treatment. Read the rest of this post »
August 31, 2009
Tags: help, insanity, mental health, questions, Resources, sanity, Tips Posted in: Resources, Sane, Tips One Comment
Best Online College Degrees? Be Careful!
In these challenging economic times, many people are thinking about going back to college. Many former service members recently became eligible for extra economic incentives for doing so.
This is a good thing – a sane thing, even – and as someone once told me, “They can take everything away from me, but they cannot take my education away.” There’s certainly no denying that.
Because of the pressures so many of us are under, with family, children, work, (and some of us working two or three jobs and/or trying to run our own businesses just to stay afloat….) the idea of completing a degree online can hold enormous appeal because of the flexibility involved. One can study at their own pace, so on and so forth, and do so from home.
Again, this is a good thing. However, I must sound some cautionary notes. Before plunking down thousands of dollars to embark on an online degree, it’s very smart to do quite a bit of research first. Read the rest of this post »
August 20, 2009
Tags: business, capacity building, College, critical thinking, Education, The Web, Tips Posted in: Resources, Tips No Comments
Improve Your Life in One Easy Step
Ok, so it’s only one step, but it’s a biggie. That step is… to get inspired. And stay that way. You may think, gentle reader, that this is easier said than done, but the truth is, it depends a great deal on what you are putting into your mental computer, and in order to be inspired, you want to put in – you guessed it – inspirational stuff. One of the easiest and most effective ways I’ve ever found to do this is through reading uplifting and inspiring books.
There are so many good writers out there, but I’m offering you some of my favorites, who have made the most lasting and marked positive impressions on me. Pema Chodron became a Buddhist nun in 1974. She currently teaches and works in a Buddhist monastery in Nova Scotia. She has a thought provoking, accessible writing style, and will not only make you think but will also make you feel JOY. And joy is often in short supply these days. I’ve linked to one of her books here, but she has several other titles, also worth reading. I believe any of her books will have useful and thought provoking (and uplifting) content for anyone, regardless of their spiritual bent or lack thereof. Read the rest of this post »
August 13, 2009
Tags: attitudes, Buddhism, calmness, positivity, Reviews, thoughts, Tips Posted in: Resources, Sane, Tips No Comments
Quotey Quote of the Day
One thing I have always loved is quotations…they can make you think, make you laugh, and change your perspective on things. “Quotey Quotes” is now offering a free, self updating quote badge for blogs, myspace, etc. So without further ado, here’s mine. Have a good day!
August 8, 2009
Tags: quotations, quotes Posted in: Resources, Sane No Comments
Insanity Everywhere; Links on US Health Care Reform
Apologies for being missing; the workload has been rather heavy and I’ve been watching events far more closely due to the potential for real health care reform in this country. Unfortunately your Ms. S. is trying valiantly to stay sane watching the crazies come out in full force AGAINST said reform… generally in any permutation.
Occasionally I see a thoughtful comment or an infomed and rational opinion about it, and to further that end for people that want to really do a bit of homework about this issue (rather than insanely repeat other people’s talking points…) here’s a few links where you can get some information and make up your own damn mind. Ms. Sanity suggests that instead of just  believing health insurer funded public relations/urband legend lies in your email (which might be said to be from someone’s brother in law)–check to see that the facts are straight.
In the forwards I’ve seen, they’re not even close! Read the rest of this post »
August 4, 2009
Tags: attitudes, Congress, conservatives, critical thinking, President Obama, priorities, Resources, Tips Posted in: Insane, Resources No Comments
