Charlie Chaplan wrote and spoke these words many, many years ago as part of "The Great Dictator (1940)." I would recommend watching the movie, for the sake of this man's contribution to comics and film, but mostly for the passionate speech he gives.
______________________________________
"I'm sorry but I don't want to be
an emperor. That's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer
anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible; Jew, Gentile, black
men, white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like
that. We want to live by each others' happiness, not by each other's
misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. In this world
there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide
for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have
lost the way.
"Greed has poisoned men's souls; has barricaded the world with hate; has
goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed,
but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left
us in want. Our knowledge as made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and
unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we
need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness.
Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost. The
aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very
nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in man; cries out
for universal brotherhood; for the unity of us all.
"Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world, millions
of despairing men, women, and little children, victims of a system that
makes men torture and imprison innocent people. To those who can hear
me, I say "Do not despair!" The misery that is now upon us is but the
passing of greed, the bitterness of men who fear the way of human
progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power
they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men
die, liberty will never perish.
"Soldiers! Don't give yourselves to brutes, men who despise you and
enslave you; who regiment your lives, tell you what to do, what to
think and what to feel! Who drill you, diet you, treat you like cattle,
use you as cannon fodder! Don't give yourselves to these unnatural
men---machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not
machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have a love of humanity
in your hearts! You don't hate! Only the unloved hate; the unloved and
the unnatural.
"Soldiers! Don't fight for slavery! Fight for liberty! In the
seventeenth chapter of St. Luke, it’s written “the kingdom of God is
within man”, not one man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you!
You, the people, have the power, the power to create machines, the
power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this
life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then
in the name of democracy, let us use that power.
"Let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that
will give men a chance to work, that will give youth a future and old
age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to
power. But they lie! They do not fulfill their promise. They never
will! Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people! Now let us
fight to fulfill that promise! Let us fight to free the world! To do
away with national barriers! To do away with greed, with hate and
intolerance! Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science
and progress will lead to all men’s happiness.
"Soldiers, in the name of democracy, let us all unite!"
Showing posts with label progress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label progress. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Saturday, April 25, 2009
You and me and the rest of the world
The past (say, 10) years have been quite a learning experience for me. As I'm writing this, I'm trying to figure out how to start. I know where I want to go, the introduction is not quite coming to my fingers.
Mary had a little lamb ...no, thats not it.
I have involved myself in some open discussion social groups recently (and plan to continue them for a little while) about life, the choices we make and how they progress. I have noticed in these groups that too many people so easily blame others or the system for the sh*t that goes on in their life. Not that i just noticed it, but how rampant it is. Like no one is being taught personal responsibility anymore. Now, in no way am I saying I've got life figured out or am perfect in anyway (my ego has been stepped on a few times). What I am saying is, most of life's 'troubles' are not the fault of others, but of our own choices. I've made some really dumb mistakes in my time, but learning from one's mistakes is the best way to progress thru life.
Cause and effect: Science class in primary and secondary education teaches us that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. What I think is failing in the education of this property is people aren't being taught (or realizing) that it not only applies in the books, but also in life ...everyday. Every step we take, individually and socially, every breath we take, every decision we make, every action we involve has an effect.
Personal responsibility is realizing that effect, working thru the consequences, and learning as you go. When a mistake is made, we should be learning from those mistakes and not repeating those same mistakes. Do we blame others when things are going well? The vast majority of life's problems could be eliminated if responsibility was taken by each of us for the lives we lead.
Man, all this sounded so much more eloquent in my head, lol.
A challenge to the world:
Live life responsibly. Think before acting. Accept the consequences of your choices and actions. Learn from your own mistakes and the mistakes of others. Turn mistakes into lessons. As many mistakes as we all make, we should be good at this stuff by now. No wonder we aren't more advanced as a people than we are. It's too easy to say its someone else's fault.
Sorry, for the rant. Its just that some people's mentalities annoy the crap out of me.
Mary had a little lamb ...no, thats not it.
I have involved myself in some open discussion social groups recently (and plan to continue them for a little while) about life, the choices we make and how they progress. I have noticed in these groups that too many people so easily blame others or the system for the sh*t that goes on in their life. Not that i just noticed it, but how rampant it is. Like no one is being taught personal responsibility anymore. Now, in no way am I saying I've got life figured out or am perfect in anyway (my ego has been stepped on a few times). What I am saying is, most of life's 'troubles' are not the fault of others, but of our own choices. I've made some really dumb mistakes in my time, but learning from one's mistakes is the best way to progress thru life.
Cause and effect: Science class in primary and secondary education teaches us that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. What I think is failing in the education of this property is people aren't being taught (or realizing) that it not only applies in the books, but also in life ...everyday. Every step we take, individually and socially, every breath we take, every decision we make, every action we involve has an effect.
Personal responsibility is realizing that effect, working thru the consequences, and learning as you go. When a mistake is made, we should be learning from those mistakes and not repeating those same mistakes. Do we blame others when things are going well? The vast majority of life's problems could be eliminated if responsibility was taken by each of us for the lives we lead.
Man, all this sounded so much more eloquent in my head, lol.
A challenge to the world:
Live life responsibly. Think before acting. Accept the consequences of your choices and actions. Learn from your own mistakes and the mistakes of others. Turn mistakes into lessons. As many mistakes as we all make, we should be good at this stuff by now. No wonder we aren't more advanced as a people than we are. It's too easy to say its someone else's fault.
Sorry, for the rant. Its just that some people's mentalities annoy the crap out of me.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Song is Over ...Next
Man, there are so many times in a week that I wish I worked at home ...lol.
So, I've got this idea. Kinda 'if'y, might not work, dunno. Let me know what you think of it? lol.
I will forewarn any readers that this does involve a bit of 'Big Brother' idealism. Just a warning; intended for mature audiences.
We know that all the bailout money so far IS NOT going to work. It's evident that it is only procrastinating the inevitable. 1) Before any more funds are allocated as a 'bailout' or 'stimulus' or any other such idiotic terminology, the government pushes the stop button.
When a driver has steered off the road, it is the wisdom of, and in best interest of, the driver to correct the steer and return to the road, given traffic is clear to proceed ...or pull over if possible, stop, regain composure, then resume corrective action and get going.
I think we missed a turn back somewhere, and we need to get on the right road from where we are. Also, the traffic on the road is quite heavy, with crashes everywhere all the time ...not to mention the animals and stupid people crossing in front of us. As a nation, as well as a global society, we need to realize that the childhood dreamcar we've been racing around in for the past couple hundred years is falling apart ...maintenance is more than its worth. It's time to buy a new car.
I remember the days when people were looked at funny for owning foreign vehicles; when no foreign auto felt comfortable in the same parking lot as American autos. People dreamt away childhoods fantasizing about American cars. Now, oh man! Now, it costs too damn much to start with, and sure as h3ll isn't worth it, drinks too much gas, could do better on safety and safety related recalls, and aren't near as powerful as the yacht my dad bought the family when we were kids in Hillsboro, ND; it was American. Or, how about those American cars that are suchered (probably not spellt right -- those dissolvable stitches) up pieces from around the globe.
Haha. You're probably waiting for me to get to number 2. I'll get there ...lol.
In a process that would take, in my naive estimate, approximately two years if done right and well, we can set our compasses and embark on a journey, together; bring hope back to EVERY American; change the economic structure to fit for a much more 'fair share' (don't worry, not a sort of redistribution of wealth); again set for the world a goal to reach and a dream that does come true; be on a path to ending poverty and homelessness; be free from fear of a neighbor; live the American dream; show the world what democracy is all about when we can stand in the face of global adversity, and with a sure foot down proclaim, that we are proud to be American.
Here is the catch -- government direction, government involvement, government incentives, and government oversight. We pay the government a lot of money. They better start listening to us. They better start leading.
So, here's my cyllabus (i shoulda paid attention in school). It won't be possible to put the whole plan in one blog. No one would read it. So, here are things pertaining to this plan that I will address in upcoming blogs, and definitely feel free to message or comment me with questions or comments.
The future of the auto industry
Unemployment
Banking and The Market
Real Estate
Health Care
International Relations
The Friggin IRS
Education is the key to EVERYTHING
Please, stay tuned.
So, I've got this idea. Kinda 'if'y, might not work, dunno. Let me know what you think of it? lol.
I will forewarn any readers that this does involve a bit of 'Big Brother' idealism. Just a warning; intended for mature audiences.
We know that all the bailout money so far IS NOT going to work. It's evident that it is only procrastinating the inevitable. 1) Before any more funds are allocated as a 'bailout' or 'stimulus' or any other such idiotic terminology, the government pushes the stop button.
When a driver has steered off the road, it is the wisdom of, and in best interest of, the driver to correct the steer and return to the road, given traffic is clear to proceed ...or pull over if possible, stop, regain composure, then resume corrective action and get going.
I think we missed a turn back somewhere, and we need to get on the right road from where we are. Also, the traffic on the road is quite heavy, with crashes everywhere all the time ...not to mention the animals and stupid people crossing in front of us. As a nation, as well as a global society, we need to realize that the childhood dreamcar we've been racing around in for the past couple hundred years is falling apart ...maintenance is more than its worth. It's time to buy a new car.
I remember the days when people were looked at funny for owning foreign vehicles; when no foreign auto felt comfortable in the same parking lot as American autos. People dreamt away childhoods fantasizing about American cars. Now, oh man! Now, it costs too damn much to start with, and sure as h3ll isn't worth it, drinks too much gas, could do better on safety and safety related recalls, and aren't near as powerful as the yacht my dad bought the family when we were kids in Hillsboro, ND; it was American. Or, how about those American cars that are suchered (probably not spellt right -- those dissolvable stitches) up pieces from around the globe.
Haha. You're probably waiting for me to get to number 2. I'll get there ...lol.
In a process that would take, in my naive estimate, approximately two years if done right and well, we can set our compasses and embark on a journey, together; bring hope back to EVERY American; change the economic structure to fit for a much more 'fair share' (don't worry, not a sort of redistribution of wealth); again set for the world a goal to reach and a dream that does come true; be on a path to ending poverty and homelessness; be free from fear of a neighbor; live the American dream; show the world what democracy is all about when we can stand in the face of global adversity, and with a sure foot down proclaim, that we are proud to be American.
Here is the catch -- government direction, government involvement, government incentives, and government oversight. We pay the government a lot of money. They better start listening to us. They better start leading.
So, here's my cyllabus (i shoulda paid attention in school). It won't be possible to put the whole plan in one blog. No one would read it. So, here are things pertaining to this plan that I will address in upcoming blogs, and definitely feel free to message or comment me with questions or comments.
The future of the auto industry
Unemployment
Banking and The Market
Real Estate
Health Care
International Relations
The Friggin IRS
Education is the key to EVERYTHING
Please, stay tuned.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
We have choices ...
I mentioned in my previous post, the meaning of life is in the pursuit of the meaning of life ...do i need to explain it a little further? Let's see ...
Knowledge -- man, how does one define knowledge <---hint, click here <---
Intelligence -- putting it all together
Wisdom -- applying it
We can put it in a roleplaying format: the more knowledge you gain and use that knowledge, the more intelligent you get; thus, the more you practice everything you learn and how certain things work together or don't work together, the better you get at applying it. And then there's charisma, but not now.
Or the creation view with the tree of life and tree of knowledge of good and evil ...in that case, life being the pursuit of life (meaning of life), and knowledge being the sudden epifany (did i spell that right?) that one has a choice of 'good' and 'evil.'
We have choices ...
Although faith has played a very instrumental role in my pursuit, I don't claim a religion. I understand much about faith and socio-alliance structures, but do not align with any one system. In a sense, I have used religion to 'see the big picture.' I do believe that ALL the 'parts' of the globe/world are integral to all of what was, is, and is to come. I believe its in the correlation of and desire for truth and answers from history that will prepare us for EVERYTHING that is to come, and whats next on the horizon. In school, I remember classes being referred to as lessons ...history lessons: Did we learn anything?
The American society has absolutely no reason to be behind the bar on so many levels. In this wonderfully crafted democratic society we proudly call home, we have the access to vast volumes and libraries and resources of just about everything, yet we piddle potential away with convenience, comfort, and complacency. Saying we're proud as Americans isn't as loud as taking pride in being American. Being the leading example of all human potential is at our feet, but we trample over it for the sake of convenience, comfort, and complacency.
A philosophy of mine is 'Life is a quest with an undefined beginning, and an undefined end. To know where it goes, one must find the origin.' I believe it to be possible through correlative inspection to find the 'origin,' thus finding truth. To borrow a cliche from a mainstream faith, the truth will set us free. Somewhere, globally, mankind got way off course and followed tangents rather than truth. Greed soon reared its ugly head, and now we're in the pickle of a lifetime. I believe we can find the origin, find the truth, see where we are, and make way for where we're going ...but not until we take pride in being Americans ...take pride in being human. Our choices direct our paths; every action has an opposite and equal reaction; every decision comes with consequences.
There is a MIGHTY change coming to this globe; I believe we can all be ready, and we can all play an integral part in how things shape for the future.
Knowledge -- man, how does one define knowledge <---hint, click here <---
Intelligence -- putting it all together
Wisdom -- applying it
We can put it in a roleplaying format: the more knowledge you gain and use that knowledge, the more intelligent you get; thus, the more you practice everything you learn and how certain things work together or don't work together, the better you get at applying it. And then there's charisma, but not now.
Or the creation view with the tree of life and tree of knowledge of good and evil ...in that case, life being the pursuit of life (meaning of life), and knowledge being the sudden epifany (did i spell that right?) that one has a choice of 'good' and 'evil.'
We have choices ...
Although faith has played a very instrumental role in my pursuit, I don't claim a religion. I understand much about faith and socio-alliance structures, but do not align with any one system. In a sense, I have used religion to 'see the big picture.' I do believe that ALL the 'parts' of the globe/world are integral to all of what was, is, and is to come. I believe its in the correlation of and desire for truth and answers from history that will prepare us for EVERYTHING that is to come, and whats next on the horizon. In school, I remember classes being referred to as lessons ...history lessons: Did we learn anything?
The American society has absolutely no reason to be behind the bar on so many levels. In this wonderfully crafted democratic society we proudly call home, we have the access to vast volumes and libraries and resources of just about everything, yet we piddle potential away with convenience, comfort, and complacency. Saying we're proud as Americans isn't as loud as taking pride in being American. Being the leading example of all human potential is at our feet, but we trample over it for the sake of convenience, comfort, and complacency.
A philosophy of mine is 'Life is a quest with an undefined beginning, and an undefined end. To know where it goes, one must find the origin.' I believe it to be possible through correlative inspection to find the 'origin,' thus finding truth. To borrow a cliche from a mainstream faith, the truth will set us free. Somewhere, globally, mankind got way off course and followed tangents rather than truth. Greed soon reared its ugly head, and now we're in the pickle of a lifetime. I believe we can find the origin, find the truth, see where we are, and make way for where we're going ...but not until we take pride in being Americans ...take pride in being human. Our choices direct our paths; every action has an opposite and equal reaction; every decision comes with consequences.
There is a MIGHTY change coming to this globe; I believe we can all be ready, and we can all play an integral part in how things shape for the future.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Such a slacker
I know, i haven't been keeping up with the blogging. I could say i've been really really busy, but that would be a lie. I could find time to do this since I'm constantly thinking of things to put in here with all my interests (especially given the times we now live in), yet i don't. It's not like anyone has been reading these posts anyway ...lol.
There have actually been quite a few things going on in my life.
**ok, so i walked away from the computer to go make dinner, and a friend of mine closed the windows and put on youtube, and messed me up ...now i don't even remember what all i was gonna put in here**
Work has been really really slow. As i've posted before, i'm a glazier, and the construction progress has been all but halted, i believe due to the economic stresses our nation has been under. I haven't made even close to 40 hrs/wk in the past month. But, we're still going. I love this career enough to stick this out with this company. It's a very good group of people i work with.
At home, we've taken in a friend of ours from a 'domestic issue' to help him get on his feet. It has taught me a few things also, like, wow i'm not doing this again for a while.
Still waiting for that winning lotto ticket.
My daughter turns 11 this month. I'm making her a glass dollhouse. Hope she likes it.
Hmmm, what else? well, another time then.
J
There have actually been quite a few things going on in my life.
**ok, so i walked away from the computer to go make dinner, and a friend of mine closed the windows and put on youtube, and messed me up ...now i don't even remember what all i was gonna put in here**
Work has been really really slow. As i've posted before, i'm a glazier, and the construction progress has been all but halted, i believe due to the economic stresses our nation has been under. I haven't made even close to 40 hrs/wk in the past month. But, we're still going. I love this career enough to stick this out with this company. It's a very good group of people i work with.
At home, we've taken in a friend of ours from a 'domestic issue' to help him get on his feet. It has taught me a few things also, like, wow i'm not doing this again for a while.
Still waiting for that winning lotto ticket.
My daughter turns 11 this month. I'm making her a glass dollhouse. Hope she likes it.
Hmmm, what else? well, another time then.
J
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