The Big Easy -

Listen, no one in their right mind is going to take up arms, put their family at risk and send their children into battle unless there is something to gain or conditions are intolerable. Look at us lazy Americans... We cannot even be bothered to get out and vote, no less march in the street or otherwise be politically active. Why, because we are comfortable...

In Palestine, woman, children and men are strapping bombs to themselves and walking into schools and blowing themselves to bits. You could say they are religious fanatics, sure. But even religious fanatics have innate self preservation built into them. I believe that if these people had more to live for, they would simply... live. But the conditions there are so grave. There is no economy, no room for family and little to live for that a religious alternative, in a perverse way makes sense...albeit hard for me to get my little brain around. Give these people an economy, and a chance and I suspect the region and lives of the individuals will follow.

Where am I going with this? Simply put. On one end of the spectrum you have fat lazy Americans too comfortable to put their remote controls down, get up from the Lazy Boy and take part in politics. We would rather complain about it than do something... Why because it is not impacting us in our living rooms and around our dining room tables. Institute the draft again and see how that changes. On the other hand you have destitute people compelled by religion and little else to live for (ie: family, a job, a community) blowing their women and children up on an almost daily basis. In the middle, you have revolution which can only occur when the majority (or at least a large enough minority) are so uncomfortable that they are willing to sacrifice everything to see it change. Often this comes at a great price. It typically means a change in power and those who hold the power rarely are willing to give it up to some one else. One will argue that in America, we have a revolution every 4 years when we elect a new president. However this too takes it toll. As the president really only has two years to make a difference before he or she needs to start focusing on re-election. Same goes for the House and Senate where the election cycles are short. Not perfect, but it does keep things fresh and give as Obama says, hope. Hope will stave off a revolution for at least another 4 years here in America.

Point being that a revolution never happens unless the pendulum has swung so far in one direction (and for so long) that the lives of those revolting are impacted so greatly that they are willing to sacrifice. Put Bush back in office, remove all hope and see what happens...

For more pointless internet reading, see my other blogs...

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