It is said that Emperor Nero plucked away at a violin while ancient Rome burned. Some historians and philosophers liken Daedalus' mythical journeys of triumph and bitterness to the birth, the rise and the fall of Western civilization. Ah yes, Western civilization. Classical or modern, 'tis supposedly the greatest, smartest, most powerful organization the world has ever seen. Except for one problem. We're surrounded by idiots and evil-doers.
Merely muse about the news headlines. Just look around you. Corruption, absurdity, inhumanity, viciousness, stupidity and misplaced priorities abound. It is no wonder that some people think Western civilization is – to borrow Dick Cheney's ill-described Iraq civil war phrase – in its last throes.
Want just a few of thousands of examples? Witness our wanton excess and cravings for crass mass commercial entertainment. The MTV Video Music Awards have never meant to be the Grammys. But for the lame-brained, they are. Watch America wallow in the horrific show that was Britney Spears trying to hold onto whatever shred of so-called "talent" she allegedly claims.
Tell ya what, Brit. You, Paris and Lindsay go play nice someplace else – preferably in traffic. Or even worse, there's a crazed "fan" making viral waves by defending Britney, saying "she just needs help." No help is needed, unless these brats need a ride to said busy highway.
A plethora of examples exist. Take the local boys who tricked a cute little dog into a event of horrendous torture before killing him in a ghastly manner. The story has garnered global attention. Yet even some people simply see no crime or reason to fear, only overreaction --- that it was "just a dog," and that the boys were "just being boys." Ignorance and insensitivity are the true crimes here; realize that studies show animal torture in younger years could tend to lead to crimes toward humans later in life. Hellooo? Anybody home? And let's not even get started with Michael Vick.
How and why did a real Texas city actually, officially change its name to DISH, Texas - sharing a corporate brand name?
Was keenness an overriding trait for the female astronaut who wore diapers so she could fend off visiting bathrooms while driving cross-country to track down a romantic rival for a fellow astronaut?
Of all the things to worry about on the typical commercial air flight, one steward pulls aside a colleague and says she can't fly because her dress is too short (and sexy)?
Reality shows like "Beauty and the Geek" are still on the air, but actual "quality" programs such as "Arrested Development" get the ax.
Disney gets into a hissy fit because a nude photo of the star of its High School Musical series surfaces. Yet year after year Disney's other corporate entertainment interests release movies and TV shows that contain scenes that would be equally objectionable to families, if not more so.
Could it really be true? After operating TWO businesses in a popular local arts district (one business for over 10 YEARS), a local entrepreneur "suddenly" thinks some of the residents, fellow merchants and artistry there are a "turn-off" to families (i.e. gay!). Oy, the horror! The naivete! A few artists – gay? Nooooo. Say it isn't so. And what's wrong again with "being flamboyant"?
I'm a huge sports fan. But for some, there's a fine line between fan and fanatic. A University of Texas fan may have had a lapse in judgment to be sure when he entered an Oklahoma bar clad in Longhorn gear. Leave it to a Sooner fan 20 years his senior to get involved in trash talk, lunge at said 'Horn fan, grab his family jewels (yes, you read right) and yanked him (like that, yes, as much as it pains me to even imagine it) to the ground. The Sooner fan - a church deacon, no less – pled not guilty to the assault charge and will have his day in court…two days before UT and OU play.
And the title of the upcoming Indiana Jones sequel is "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"?
And so forth, and so forth. The world has gone truly astray. Oh well. I'm just on average Joe. What could I do to save the world? Well, other than carry forward with my aforementioned run for president LOL Anyhoo, the Mayan calendar ticks. As Rome burns, if you need me, I'll be hiding under a desk, and playing a harmonica and bongos.
