The Protocols

The Protocols, #1: "The information that
each citizen receives will treat every
event and policy as separate from every
other; thus, a good citizen's life can be
comfortably compartmentalized."

I lived through the "energy crisis" in
the summer of 2001 in California, and
later read the details of gouging by
President Bush's friend, "Kenny Boy"
Lay's company. No amount of pleading by
the governor of California or appeals
by the citizens was heard in the Oval
Office (except presumably with a
smirk.) We were told that the "free
market" was at work and that this
is how things should be done.

It "just happened". No relationship
to President Bush.

During the next three years a net
loss of more than 1 million jobs
was suffered by America. We are told
that President Bush inherited a
vicious recession from President
Clinton, and that those losses are
not President Bush's responsibility.

It "just happened". No relationship
to President Bush.

But we *are* informed that President
Bush's policies are responsible for
creating 1 million jobs during the
last twelve months.

These new jobs didn't just happen.
They are a direct consequence of
President Bush's wise policies.

And prosperity is just around the
corner...never mind the fact that
more than 1 million new workers
came of age or immigrated during
the last twelve months.

And President Bush defeated Saddam
Hussein. But he is in no way
responsible for the Iraqis
and Afghanis tortured in American
prisons. That was the work of a
few renegade soldiers.

Torture "just happened". No relationship
to President Bush.

De-linkage. Compartmentalized
thinking. Disassociation. Being
in the moment, perpetually. These
can be useful tools in limited
contexts, but as a way of life
for a people they may be
sub-optimal (to put it bluntly.)

When we "compartmentalize" everything
we are able to comfortably sing
in church and glorify God with our
praises. Then on Monday we turn our
attention to supporting our President
and our war against the Iraqi people,
who did not attack us. We support our
President and the government regardless
of the torture and assassinations in the
"War on Terror", but never have to
connect the dots in our minds or
consciences to What Would Jesus
Do? We are proud Americans on Monday
through Saturday, and then become
Christians on Sunday.

We good citizens are not expected
to connect the dots ourselves. In
fact, if we attempt "linkage" and
withdraw our compliance with the
government in any tangible way,
we can expect very harsh punishment.
Refuse to pay taxes for the wars?
Go to jail. Burn your ID card?
Starve or go to jail -- and don't
attempt travel in the meantime.
Refuse to serve on a jury? Either
lie or go to jail. Protest in
public? Jailed, then fired from your
job -- and don't bother applying
at the Fortune 2000 corporations
again. Etc. Etc.

Never before in history has the
interconnectedness of everything
been so obvious. Yet our leaders'
inability to control everything
is also exposed now as never
before, thanks to the Internet
and telecommunications. The leaders
can only take responsibility for the
good things that happen and blame
others for the bad things, for if
they were to attempt to explain
the nuances, they would have to
discuss how things are interconnected,
and that is contrary to The Protocols.

In the meantime my friends, play it
safe. Don't think and don't read
about things beyond your control.

Above all, obey Protocol #2. And have
a *nice* day!

Protocol #2:
"Everything not prohibited is mandatory."