Capital P

[eumelia]

I wrote this on yellow pad paper in my cafe, I really need a lap top, since every time I'm inspired to write down my thoughts I'm desperately seeking a pen and paper.

I'm becoming increasingly frustrated living in America.
Not including the beautiful Yanks I've spoken to here and met IRL, most of the Americans (that I've come in contact with who are not my friends) are annoying.
Everything here is so extreme, there's no in between.
I also see why America rules the world.
America wants Power. Capital P.
And this Power can only be equated with Imperialism; A legacy the British left and that the Cold War perfected.
America is again an isolationist nation.
Only instead of the Capitalist Nukes vs the Communist Nukes it's the Capitalist Christian God vs the Anti-Capitalist Muslim Allah.
Is this a news flash? Of course not, anyone with a modicum of insight can see this.
There is nothing new under the Sun.
Ecclesiastics is as relevant now as it was two thousand years ago.
But all the rivers that run to the Sea are polluted and sick.
As are we all.
America is not out to Smite the Infidel! It's out to make a Profit (Another Capital P).
It's not about Good (us) vs Evil (them), it's about, that's right, Power.
The one with the most toys wins.
America is a child with a whole lot of toys.

Who am I to criticize? I figured since everybody else was doing it I'd join the bandwagon.
I believe I have a different perspective.
I am not an American.

I am a Consumer.
A big one.
I like consuming.
I enjoy clothes, food, television and Hollywood movies.
What I don't enjoy is having what I having what I enjoy bastardized and used in order to "Progress Under-Developed" countries.
I like Nike shoes.
I positively dislike sweatshops in Indonesia.
I like my Old Navy tank tops.
I abhor slave labor in China.
I like meat, I'm somewhat of a carnivore.
I do not appreciate the fact that my food is abused, stuffed with chemicals bad for it and me, having it chopped up and ground up with additives and them distributed a la drug cartel to mega supermarkets that treat their employees like shit and then told it's good for me!

Three Words.
What. The. Fuck.

Indeed, what the fuck?
What am I, a young Queer Israeli Jewish Woman, to do?
As a consumer I contribute to the problem, in Israel as well - Globalization in like a cancer -and in America especially, I'm still living here at the moment.
I'm good with some things; I am no longer a slave to the feminine hygiene industry - and just as an aside: why is there no masculine hygiene section? How is a dick cleaner than a cunt? There are no extra sensitive wipes for that "special place" for men against the sweaty smell, or anti sac wrinkle cream. Is that Too Much Information?! Well, it shouldn't be!
It pisses me off that I am put into a position that just because I have a vagina which happens to do more than a penis I am considered dirty!
I'm feeling another "what the fuck?!" coming on.
I have boycotted McDonald's.
I hate Starbucks.
I can no longer eat in Burger King.
Still I am a consumer.
It's a big deal.

I believe in the paradigm of "The Personal is Political" (indeedy, more Capital P's).
What we eat, what we wear, how we become updated on current events (whatever events they may be) what we say; it all reflects what we really think.
Words, deeds and thoughts are disconnected in our culture.
Because it is a culture of "Want, take, have" - Yes I'm channeling Faith her.
It is clear in the way those in Power treat the Public (and another P). It is clear in the Powerfull treat the Powerless.
In this culture - not just American, but Western and all the cultures the West has invaded and infected with its corruption - the Powerless are not helped.
They are used and abused.
They are Raped.
Violence is not the disease.
Is is a symptom of an insidious sickness.

How Political am I?
I don't know.
I'm working on it.

Comments

[hemlock-sholes.livejournal.com]

Ahhhhhh....

So what you're saying is :
A. America is a representative of western civilization.
B. You don't like certain acts of America.
Therefore:
C. You don't like western civilization.

'Scuse me, but I don't see how you jumped to C from A and B.
A is (IMO) a truism.
B is a truism, for a given value of "certain acts"
C is throwing the baby out with the dirty water.

As for Might makes Right, you misunderstood me.
You said Western Civ. is the history of victorious men. I'm saying that it's the history of the victorious strong - women are welcome. IF they're strong enough to stand the heat...

//Wearing asbestos NOW. :)

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

Notice the icon.
You have made me angry.
If I had a Bruce Banner changing into the Hulk icon I'd use it right now.

I am critisizing Western Civilization not just it's recent atrocities but its history as well, I don't see why I shouldn't if I want to.
America currently, through acts of war, globalization and money-lending, rules the world.
Most of the poeple I know, which I'm sure you are one of, do not like "most acts" America has perpertarted on recent History.

As for Might makes Right, you misunderstood me.
You said Western Civ. is the history of victorious men. I'm saying that it's the history of the victorious strong - women are welcome. IF they're strong enough to stand the heat...

//Wearing asbestos NOW. :)
You better be.
Robbie, are you telling me it's women's fault that until the the first two decades of the 20th century women were not allowed to vote and were basically relegated to being owned by either their fathers or their husbands.
Are you telling me women are not victimized, pais less, thought of as "weak" and that they are considered raging balls of hormones and that any time a woman shows a modicum of assertiveness she is called a "bitch".
Because if so... I suggest you read a tiny bit more histort and actually pay attention to the women around you.

[hemlock-sholes.livejournal.com]

Whoa there :)

First point : You can criticize all you want, but if you jump to conclusions without setting out the groundwork - besides kneejerk responses, don't expect much sympathy from me.
Of course America is doing plenty of VBT (Very Bad Things), but:
1. Is Sweden? New Zealand? Canada? Corsica? Luxembourg? Chile? The population of Antarctica? as far as I know, they are also representatives of Western Civ...
2. Are Japan, China, Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Easter Island, Ethiopia, etc.. all paragons of virtue? Can you honestly say that if they hadn't been caught napping by the West that the world would be a Better Place(tm)?

All I'm saying is, Hate the Sin (Americas actions), don't hate the Sinner (Western civ.).
Don't forget all the Good Acts America (and americans) is doing too.

Second point : Who said ANYTHING about placing fault on anyones step?
What I'm saying is that women are not unique.
* handicapped, physically and mentally
* people of different colour/race/etc
* people of different religion
* poor people
All these people did not get their "piece of the pie" at various points in their nations history.
Yes, there are problems with women's place in society. NO, it is not unique. It might be the biggest discrimination problem (51% of the population) but I fail to see why it is unique.

By the way, I'm not sure that the women's place in 1920 was not better in the US than the untouchable caste/Dalit/Harijan's place was in India...

As for the way women are seen - Where I work women are NOT paid less, not thought of as weak, not considered a bitch when she show any assertiveness (unless the same amount would make a guy a bastard).
Victimized? What do you mean?
Am I living in a bubble? Cut off from the rest of the world? Imagining things? Perhaps, but I think you're enjoying having a Righteous Rage ;)
And really, kitty - I think I read enough history :)

Anyway, please calm down...
How am I going to enjoy my time with you in the US if you're hospitalized for high blood pressure? ;)

There, are there any buttons left unpressed? ;)
//extracting tongue from cheek...
Love you,
see you soon!