Going, Going, Gone! What's happening and where is it going?

Earl Blankenship

You know, when I began my career in the field of - what was it exactly? Back in the early 70's, when I set up shop in Southern California, I was known as a "researcher". Come the 80's, I suddenly became - hey presto! - a "pundit". In the 90's, I was many things - still a pundit to some, an "advisor" to others - to still others, an "Actualiser"…well the list could go on and on, really. Today, I think I'll go back to being a humble researcher. Because, let's face it, things have gotten a little out of hand.

I've spent over 30 years trying to get people to see the benefits of sound surplus acquisition, and I've watched, instead, the slow, pointless march of the lemmings.

I've tried to get people to understand that when you set out to do something, make sure that's what you're doing. Instead, people are happy that something got done - not the something they set out to do - no, just "something".

And now, as the Office of Homeland Security regularly frightens, baffles, and bores the good people of the USA [1], and Europe's best and brightest determine the best way to deal with immigration (chiefly, it seems, through scare mongering and arms sales), I wonder:

WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?

But then, really, I know what's happening. And so do you.

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It is becoming more and more apparent that, prior to the 11^th of September, the government of the USA had good reason to suspect that a terrorist act of enormous proportions was likely [2]. As well, monumental corruption, leading all the way to the highest office, was endemic [3,4]. It is becoming so apparent, in fact, that even the usual suspects are becoming nervous [5]. Like gang members interrogated by the police, the "mainstream media" are beginning to sing. It may not last, of course. Everything may get sorted out, the right people paid off, etc. But cracks have emerged. And history shows, sometimes, that's enough bring the whole enterprise toppling down - consider Russia before 1917 - and after 1991.

"An FBI agent in Minneapolis wrote to Director Robert Mueller this week complaining about the way headquarters handled information on the investigation of suspected terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui and other terror probes, CNN has learned."

"'I had to do what I believed was right,' she told CNN"

"Another FBI source said [Colleen] Rowley is known for speaking her mind, but suggested this most recent move might not be 'career-enhancing.'" [6]

The short-sightedness of some is only matched by the credulity of others. In fact, these two phenomenon are mirror images of one another. Both are bound up in the most conventional beliefs of their time. And yet while one side is cynical, and sees the basic principles of their society as just "what you've got to do", the other sees them as truth. So, for every careerist who will swear an oath on the Bible, all the while thinking of last night's cocaine fuelled orgy, there is the committed public servant, who will forsake everything in pursuit of what they see as right.

This is dangerous for power. Power must maintain itself through right and truthfulness. You can't get people to rally round the flag or the Bible if you've admitted you don't believe. And if you don't even pretend to live up to a certain standard, no one will take the standard seriously. But if the symbols are propping up a system based on surplus-acquisition, then the flag and the Bible are never going to be realistic. The most realistic symbol would be a dollar bill, a gold bar, or stocks.

But this would be giving the game away. And therein lies the problem. Because it is a game. And the rule is, you don't tell anyone it is. If you know it's a game, that's probably because:

1. You are benefiting from it, or
2. You are not benefiting from it, but understand how the system works.

If item 2 refers to you, then you must be characterised as a crank. This is very important, otherwise, you will enlighten others as to the nature of the game.

However, as it is a game, the commitment of those who belong to item 1 is only as good as their investments. The moment their investments look shaky, they may no longer feel like following the rule. We are now seeing the beginning of this process.

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Many people, not least the author, found it curious that the Republican Party chose George Bush Jr as their Presidential candidate. He is awkward, poorly advised on international matters, and finds it difficult to contain he fact he doesn't give a damn. It seems apparent that he is awaiting the generous welfare state payout given to ex-Presidents.

And yet they were willing to stage a coup d'etat to get their man in. Why not just pick someone telegenic, good looking, articulate?

It is believed that there are a disproportionate number of people with learning disabilities in prison. Asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism which could be characterised as a "social learning disability", is "more frequent in prison populations than in the general population" [7]. It does not take a great leap of imagination to see the benefit for a gang to have the "daft one" carry the weapons, drugs, etc. Because if the police come by, the likelihood that someone with a disability could dream up a good excuse is pretty low. And every capable gang member knows, if something's worth doing, then there's a risk.

It is becoming evident that the present administration is deeply involved in the Enron scandal. The excuses given by the administration as to why the failure to use the intelligence regarding the 11^th of September are sounding ever more feeble and hysterical [8,9]. And as these things become less possible to ignore, it wouldn't take a conspiracy theorist to note how odd the timing of Dick Cheney's warning of terrorist attack [10].

Perhaps soon, some bright young journalist will notice that the anthrax story was never properly investigated in the mainstream press. Maybe they will think about how it was revealed to be domestic [11] - they may even take note of the jubilation on the part of right-wing Americans regarding the 11^th of September [12].

It is impossible to predict the course of human events. Likewise, you can't ignore it when you see the car coming at you is about the hit you. Maybe it will swerve away at the last second; maybe it will be disintegrated by the rayguns of a space ship. Some things are more likely than others.

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I wrote recently that terrorists exploit injustice to justify attacks on civilians, and that governments exploit terrorism to justify attacks on civilians [13]. This may become impossible for ordinary people to ignore, as impossible as it was for the people of France to ignore the excesses of the aristocracy before the Revolution.

A frightened populace, once used to a more carefree way of life, will not take too kindly to realising they have been terrorised by their own government. Particularly when it becomes all too obvious that it is a government owned and operated by financial fraudsters, kept in power by a compliant media. Ordinary people may start to speak up, ask questions, answer back and make demands. And the biggest demand on the plate will be: sacrifice.

And this is where George Bush Jr comes in. If this Administration is brought down, the careers of many may be put on hold, their stars tarnished. Dick Cheney, Kenneth Lay, etc, may have to even spend some time playing tennis in a low security unit. But the fate of hapless George Bush Jr may be somewhat less forgiving.

Those involved in surplus-acquisition had better hope that, if this scenario plays out, it goes no further. Because if it does, then there could be a domino effect.

And that guy who thought Colleen Rowley's move wasn't "career enhancing" - he may be telling people, "Oh yeah, I knew her," as he pushes his mop down the hallway.

Earl Blankenship is Director of discussionForum™. A founder of the Behaviour Actualisation movement, he has recently founded the Ethical Protocol, which promotes good business practices. As well, he is involved in the Truth Commission, which looks into violations of human rights. http://www.joeybishop.free-online.co.uk/disforresearch.htm

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