Generation X Life Support

When the police decided to shut down Rage Against the Machine’s protest at the RNC earlier this week, the band went acapella right in the crowd.

Check out the video of their acapella performance here.

Credit: www.above-thefold.com

For the past few days, I’ve been catching some snippets here and there on the Democratic National Convention, mostly from the one trusted source I can count on, the Daily Show.

It amazes me that followers of Hillary Clinton just can’t seem to let go.

While many analysts and “experts” say she didn’t do much to effectively endorse Obama (her most dramatic statement served only to reject McCain, rather than promote Obama), I think she pretty much did what she had to – she rejected the GOP and (mildly) endorsed Obama.

So what more do Hillarites, want?

Listen folks, I’m no political expert, but when you put the person ahead of the issues, that’s a problem.

So Dem’s who wanted universal health care (high on the list for both Obama and Clinton), an end or clear timeline to end the war (championed by both Obama and Clinton), preservation of woman’s rights over their own bodies (both want preserved, as opposed to McCain, who wants Roe v Wade overturned) and several other issues that clearly differ from the GOP’s platform, they’d rather use their vote to protest their party than unify to support the cause.

Sickening.

Just some advice to the Hillarites out there – Please think about swallowing your pride and vote for Obama.  Put the cause before the person.  This is a democracy, not a monarchy, and we should not assume anyone in this country is entitled to the presidency.  Didn’t we learn anything from the Bush administration?

I love the Earth.  After all, it’s where I keep all my stuff.

I love Nature.  I love hiking, going to the beach, site seeing, etc.  When I reflect on the most wondrous sites I’ve beheld in my short time on this earth, I think of the view of the Cascades from the Seattle Space Needle.  I think of the black sand beaches and coral reefs of Hawaii.  I think of the view of the Grand Canyon from an airplane 30,000 feet in the air.  I think of the lunar eclipse I witnessed a few years back right from my own backyard.  And hell yes, I love and appreciate the beautiful sand dunes at Island Beach State Park in NJ.  (That’s right.  New F’n Jersey!)

Anyway, as with most political movements, I question the “sincerity” of the current Green Movement.  It just seems to me to be a new way to make money. 

Now, don’t get me wrong.  I’m all for making money.  Legitimately.  And hell, this is America.  Everything comes with a price tag.  Not to mention, who wants to argue against wanting clean air, land and water?  That’s so Fox News (or in other words, just plain stupid). 

But the Green Movement is already trying to cash in not by offering super clean vehicles right now, or some revolutionary product or solution that makes a huge difference in our daily lives.  They’re cashing in on guilt.  That’s right.  They are trying to guilt you into spending money for clean shit because after all, it’s your dirty ass causing all the problems. 

Think I’m kidding?  Well check out www.carbonfund.org.  At this site, you can buy Renewable Energy Credits (or REC’s) to “offset” your Carbon Footprint.  Now, of course, they recommend that you should first “reduce your carbon footprint” as much as possible.  Then, for the remaining “footprints” or clouds of dirt your pigpen ass leaves, you can purchase these credits, which go towards investing in renewable energy things like wind and solar power and offsets the damage you do to the earth.  Damage like getting to work in the car to feed your family.  Buying a plane ticket to ride on a dirty plane to either complete a business deal or maybe take your family on a vacation, you evil bastard.

What’s wrong with that? 

Well, why isn’t the first step enough?  Yes, inflate your tires.  Shut off your lights at night.  Shut yer friggin computer off at night or during the day when you aren’t home. (Don’t worry. The porn will still be there.) Turn the thermostat up or down (depending on where you live and what time of year it is).  But why pay? I guess Al Gore is trying to make back all the money he missed out on when he created the internets? 

Honestly, if you really want to donate money to a green cause, that’s great!  And think about your local animal shelters and soup kitchens who truly help out in your area, and have been for decades.  They have, and currently contribute more to green causes than anyone.

Or, here’s an idea - Why not invest in green companies and get a RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT financially, as well as environmentally?  Sure, investing in the stock market is risky, but at least there is a chance of a financial return on your investment.  This sounds more compelling than just donating money and hoping some day in the not to distant future your electric car doesn’t raise your monthly electric bill by 200% (which, it most likely will).  Check out companies like SPWR, ESLR, ENER, etc. (Caution: investing comes with risk, so do your research before you jump in.)

Sure, I want my car to run on air or solar gizmos, or whatever.  But at the same time, I don’t want to go 0 – 60 in 34 seconds, either.  My daily commute on the Garden State Parkway is already long and hazardous enough.  I also don’t want to have to pay $3K every few years to replace the “batteries” in my $45K electric supercar. And I’m not going to feel guilty about this. 

Lastly, let me just go on record as saying I surely have no sympathy for oil companies, after the record profits they’ve been making.  I’ve seen just about every bill in my home go up 40 – 60% in the past few years thanks to rising costs of oil (and the oil pricks in the White House).  I do OK, but I can’t imagine how someone who makes under $40K a year can even get to work to make money to pay their bills when you not only factor in the rising cost of fuel, but the rising cost of everything else, like food, water, electricity, etc.

There were other times in history where establishments financially exploited the masses with guilt.  You need look no further than the Indulgences granted by the Roman Catholic Church.  Head on over to this post at Wikipedia, and look under the “abuse” section.

Ah.  Once again, history repeats itself.  Just a different guilt and a different pope.