What other unforeseen failures are possible? What in your life would be affected if the internet went down (for an extended period of time) where you live? What’s your back-up plan? Can you even make a fire without a match? And most importantly, what would you do to communicate with loved ones if the shit really hit the fan? What is your back-up plan?
In February of 1776, 16% of American colonists openly supported the idea of independence from Great Britain. That was also the month that Thomas Paine, a curmudgeonly sort of ne’rdowell, published “Common Sense,” a small pamphlet urging his fellow Americans to think. By April, more than 50% supported independence, and by July.. well, that’s when Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, Ben Franklin and all those boys gathered around a table in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence. They didn’t need a rule-book to know what needed to be done. They simply used their hearts and minds, and their powers of persuasion, to begin the painful birthing of a proud nation.
I have just watched a video collage of Republican candidate Ron Paul speaking. I must admit that this was the first time I had paid any attention. I have, for years, ignored Republicans, because they are the party of Nixon, Reagan and both Bushes. In this campaign, I have been convinced that Barack Obama is our best hope for the kind of change I know is absolutely essential, simply in order for the human species to survive. I think it’s clear to me now, after seeing what I’ve just seen, that Ron Paul is worth paying attention to. And why not screw the whole party system by having them team up on one ticket? Ultimately, I think Libertarians and Socialists have more in common than the false dichotomy of “Right and Left” would have us believe. There is a basic minimum that government must provide, and ours has failed us since the military-industrial complex took power.
In Mamallapuram for 2 days last November, I was fortunate to visit some of the famous ruins and cave temples there. Unfortunately, I did not get enough information as to what I was looking at.. until now. There are many under-recognized sites like this all around the world, and if you take the time to watch this documentary posted by “joerumilus,” you will learn about a people who preceded us by 1,400 years. It’s on par with Macchu Picchu, Palenque and Monte Alban in this hemisphere.
Here’s the video I created in Mamallapuram, with only minor attention to cave temples. I was too busy avoiding firecrackers to realize just exactly where I was, and what I was missing.
