We’re History

American Spectator ^ | 2/18/2013 | Bill Croke

[IbJensen]

It took Rome a lot longer.

“….the Roman government appeared everyday less formidable to its enemies, more odious and oppressive to its subjects. The taxes were multiplied with the public distress; economy was neglected in proportion as it became necessary…. If all the barbarian conquerors had been annihilated in the same hour, their total destruction would not have restored the empire of the West: and if Rome still survived, she survived the loss of freedom, of virtue, and of honour.” — Edward Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

In New York City and Philadelphia “flashmobs” rob and vandalize newsstands and stores. This is a national phenomenon. In Chicago, the police department now won’t immediately respond to 911 calls if they involve post-burglaries, petty, or non-violent crimes. They’re too busy dealing with the daily carnage that is the nation’s highest murder rate, one that bested the number of military fatalities recorded in Afghanistan in 2012. When crazy people shoot up movie theaters and elementary school classrooms, we’re told it’s the gun’s fault. On a lighter note, the Wall Street Journal recently informed us that the demands of hip-hop fashion dictates that boys insist — despite the protestations of Mom, Dad, and school administrators — on wearing shorts to school in bitter winter weather. The girls prefer flip flops as their toes turn blue while waiting for the school bus. “Things fall apart; The centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world” (William Butler Yeats).

The schools are an administrative and intellectual wreck, and kids not knowing how to even dress themselves is a good metaphor for their current state.

[IbJensen]

What's wrong with this article? It's wildly optimistic.

There are a thousand examples of our inexorable demise the author could have cited.

We're going to make Rome look like a piker in our rush toward dissolution. The depredation of every single American institution, every single cultural landmark, every single aspect of the American character, continues at breakneck speed. Indeed, at this juncture entropy's progress can be discerned from day to day, and the death spiral accelerates even as the dance of delusion becomes commensurately more frantic and oblivious.

But that's what we want. That's what we voted for. Do the liberals know the endgame of their religion is annihilation? The suicide of the West, brought about not by plauge or conquest, but by the greed and vanity of fools and knaves.

Only when there are no tomorrows to come will the left be satisfied, the fulfilment of their fantasies having reached its logical and inevitable conclusion.

And it is not that they will find succor, for there is no succor for the left; it is a cancer that seeks no surcease, but only oblivion.

And so it is not satisfaction that will stop the left. It is that they, too, will be sucked into the black hole they have so painstakingly constructed.

[stockpirate]

Sadly we are all Detroit now.

[Psalm 73]

“....it is not satisfaction that will stop the left. It is that they, too, will be sucked into the black hole they have so painstakingly constructed.”

All of the “usefull idiots” anyway - the upper-wealthy and politically-connected will be on cruise-control (that’s across party lines - don’t think there aren’t powerful Repubs angling for safety nets).

[driftless2]

Nice jeremiad by the writer. Pretty much agrees with how I feel. Of course few people realize things are getting worse. I don’t mean in the material sense, because in that area, things are getting better. But human dignity and integrity have suffered major blows in the last fifty years. A society that doesn’t know the meaning of discipline and respect for time-honored traditions is doomed.

[Popman]

We are like the Obama Greek columns...

Beautiful on the outside....hollowed out on the inside...

1000 points of small pressures will crush them...

Every day Obama and his minions remain in power...we add a few more points of pressure...

We will collapse spectacularly...

[bert]

-—— That’s what we voted for——

I take issue with that statement.

That is what the urban blue majority voted for. The urban citizens live the destructive forces and clamor for the government, the Messiah to make their existence livable, to bring salvation.

They are fools, especially the young women. They hunt for a daddy that doesn’t exist. They believe that by working to make a difference by living the leftist creed it will all go away. Being fools, they believe the Reverend Jeremiah Wright and his disciples who spew hate.

There will be a reaffirmation of the 70’s belief....... burn it all down. Steal and loot and pillage the very existence giving resources that permit life to be eaked out in the failed cities.

Living in the North East Cities is more dangerous than having cancer. Both will destroy you...... it is but a matter of time.

[Huebolt]

The big growth industry will be companies that will get entire families OUT OF THE USA. Emmigration is the new wave.

America was founded by people who didn’t wind the cat, or put out the clock when their countries became intolerable, they left. (Robert Heinlein)

I try to think of where to go, but only Russia comes to mind. They do not take terrorism lightly and will gladly destroy every trace of anyone or anything that tries it.

They have all the resources including space.

I watched a Russian telecast of a popular program, and everyone in the audience was a RUSSIAN! No f’in diversity wanted or needed.

They also know what socialism can do, and hate it.

[dynachrome]

I am reminded of the oak tree in “Atlas Shrugged”

[ejonesie22]

Sad isn’t it. Russia beat the Communist, we just watched he get elected here...

[MarDav]

But it is “We, the people...” so, in effect, the “this is what we voted for” is correct when the we is understood to refer to us and the us is a capitalized (and abbreviated) U.S.

Either way, it’s all semantics at this point. While we’re (uh...WE’re) “screwed” I (and possibly you) have yet to feel someone’s hand tool sticking and twisting in the back.
And, while “it’s over,” we haven’t really seen anyone come along and, with the aid of a mammoth-sized spatula, slide in under us (oh dear!...U.S.) and begin to scrape, lift, toss).
And even though we (WE) can all just reach over and “turn out the lights,” no one’s bed time reading is at risk at this point.

See? It’s semantics.

[WVKayaker]

But human dignity and integrity have suffered major blows in the last fifty years.

I was just thinking of starting a vanity thread about the coarse language being used by may posters. Potty mouth has expanded to "potty fingers".

Reading this morning, I found several scatological references and several f-bombs. No hiding it like using asterisks(sh*t), but spelled correctly!

I am guilty of using coarse language. I think we have degraded even our language skills. Too many can't even make a sentence without cursing, even mildly. We live in a new world, where too many are more equal than others!

A society that doesn’t know the meaning of discipline and respect for time-honored traditions is doomed.

We can be part of the problem or the solution. Look at the numbers of threads on cultural stuff, and it seems it is all us vs them. When even cops are (too often) the problem, you know you're in trouble!

[bert]

I no longer believe in WE.

I believe in US and THEM.

To continue to believe in WE is to continue down the path to perdition. THEY must be destroyed.

[Joan Kerrey]

We are like the Obama Greek columns...

Those words cover every aspect of this administration pretty well.

[Accessible Pudding]

I ask this simple question, but before I ask it, allow me to state something. I’m sure no one ever envisioned defeating the Brits in a revolution and I’m sure many thought the country was doomed the dawn of the Civil War, and some how by the grace of God we remained a nation. The American Spirit doesn’t rest in the hands of DC politicians that wait for the day they can toss it in the shit can, the American Spirit rest in the hearts of us Americans. The backbone of our society. So I come to my question. Who is America? We the People or those we elect?

[Psalm 73]

“I try to think of where to go, but only Russia comes to mind.”

Interesting idea.
But I’m an American and I will fight and die to protect my country - even from its own.

[sport]

Unfortunately, under the system of Government we have, the majority, unless it is in conflict with Blacks, Females, homosexuals, rule. The minority, again unless it pertains to tha afore mentioned groups, has little or no say.

So in reality IbJensen was correct. As a whole “we” voted for what we now have. i did not vote for the bastard either time. But more voted for him than voted against him, so once again he is inflicted upon me.

[WVKayaker]

I try to think of where to go, but only Russia comes to mind.

I am flying out Monday morning from DC to Cebu, Philippines. From there, I take a"Superferry" across to Ormoc City, Leyte.

PI is english speaking, Christian, and has some of the most pleasant people in the world. All of them, you ask? Of course not, but by and large, I look forward to making new friends and living in a new land. I will have high speed internet, cellphone, $200 rent, and full-time maid/cook/laundress for around $40 a month. Food is good and plentiful, and fresh seafood is a constant treat! I never liked borscht.

There are other FReepers already over there (Alex w is living in Cebu), and I have heard great things about that land and it's people.

Russia? It is 91 today in Manila, and 73 tonite...

[Daveinyork]

My only question is whether Obama is our first Caesar or our last. Will he be dictator for life, or the finishing touches of a once great civilization.

[redgolum]

A great many on this site will demand the same things that are killing us.

I have known people who are expats. Some who left decades ago because they didn’t want to see the end. I have been thinking lately perhaps it is time to leave.

But where to go?

[WVKayaker]

http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/