I Smell Danger! And It Comes From the Classic Rock Station!
What the hell is going on in America? Living outside of the country, I have to imagine that things are better than them seem to be. I mean, for most people it’s probably the same old routine, no noticeable difference. Viewing the country from afar, though, I’ve found myself shaking my head in bewilderment lately. A six year old is put in handcuffs after she has a tantrum and the school calls the police? A 14 year old gets tased when she’s up against the cop car with her hands up? Mitt Romney is seriously running for president and there are real people planning to vote for him?
It’s enough to make my head spin. Of course the Tayvon Martin case is the worst of the bunch. Without even getting into the guilt or innocence of George Zimmerman, at the very least, on a wider level, the case has made a celebrity out of the “Stand Your Ground” law, the existence of which makes Americans further seem like crazy, gun-tottin’ cowboys. I had a conversation with a friend from South Africa Friday night, and was really surprised to learn that in South Africa, a police officer is not allowed to use his gun unless fired upon first. Just compare those two mindsets. In Florida, a person can legally shoot someone on the street (speaking theoretically, not about Zimmerman) because he’s ‘reasonably threatened,’ whatever that means. Yet in South Africa a police officer can’t discharge his weapon unless someone has already shot a bullet at him.
Have you seen the crime stats for South Africa? They aren’t too good. And yet, do they have the “Stand Your Ground” law? Nope. Not even close. If they did, I’m sure it would be total chaos. It makes me wonder what is going through the minds of my country’s people. Why do they seem to think everyone is out to get them?
Maybe it’s because our government really seems out to get people sometimes. Or, more specifically, out to get the Motorcity Mad Man, Ted Nugent. I read today that Nugent has had a concert cancelled in Fort Knox after making some zany, typically outlandish (for him) comments about Obama. Who canceled the concert? The US Military. Yes, that’s right, it’s for the safety of the American people that we do not let Ted Nugent and his “violent rhetoric” open up for REO Speedwagon in Kentucky. Having REO Speedwagon even vaguely involved in a threat to the President is beyond hilarious. I feel the messages of both acts should balance everything out. True, Nugent said he’d be ‘dead or in jail’ if Obama is re-elected, but let’s not forget that REO said “I’m gonna keep on loving you/Cause it’s the only thing I wanna do.”
I’ve seen REO Speedwagon in concert. You know what their concerts lead to? Not violence. Yawning. Lots and lots of yawning and feelings of sadness that the Styx set is over.
On one last note, I don’t encourage the Military to try and get any information out of REO. ”Mr. President, we were able to get details on a possible assassination attempt. We obtained this information from REO Speedwagon. It seems they heard it from a friend who, heard it from a friend who, heard it from another…”
My message is simple: People of America, chill out. No one is out to get you, and Ted Nugent isn’t really going to kill the President. And, even if he did, it would be kind of awesome. If that does happen, I would apologize to the US Military for accusing them of overreacting, and then encourage them to make sure Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull hasn’t said anything bad about Joe Biden at some right wing flute convention.
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I’ll just post a quote I read from somewhere: “IF YOU DID NOT SEE IT WITH YOUR OWN EYES OR HEAR IT WITH YOUR OWN EARS, DON’T INVENT IT WITH YOUR SMALL MIND & SHARE IT WITH YOUR BIG MOUTH.” ― MEGAN FOX.
Jepiner, I like the quote, despite it apparently being from the chick from Transformers. I still haven’t seen Transformers with my own eyes and if someone asked me how it is, I would probably say it sucks. So, I feel Megan Fox is speaking to me in this quote.
For the record, and by encouragement from a good friend, I’d like to point out that I do not in any way want anything bad to happen to Mr. Obama. I voted for him and will vote for him again.
By the way, I love REO SPeedwagon songs!
Time for me to FLY-YYY! Sing along Jepiner!
Oh, this is hilarious! Totally agree with you on everything… especially Mitt Romney. We have a lot of weirdness going on here in the good ol’ U.S. of A.
It’s weird because I don’t remember Romney seeming this bad when he ran four years ago, but he seems horrible now. Same with John McCain. Loved him for years and was excited when he ran, but suddenly he turned into a right wing spokesperson. Same thing for Romney. I remember when the Republicans buried John Kerry for flip-flopping? Kerry is nothing compared to the obvious fakery and base pandering of the last two Republican candidates.
You know how there was the evil He Man called Faker, who looked just like He Man but was blue? That’s what Romney should look like. Totally the same but bright blue like Avatar.
I think the Republican party needs to have some sort of united vision. They are having a serious identity crisis now, which is why a man who doesn’t seem have a clear sense of self or what he stands for leading. As for McCain, he should have just stuck with tried and true instead of trying to shake things up by having Palin on the ticket. He tried to force interest in him and his party, but it totally backfired. I lost a lot of respect for him during that election. Granted, the last Republican I would have ever voted for was Abe Lincoln.
That Abe Lincoln line is GREAT! I’m so using that at parties and stuff. Brilliant!
And totally agree 100% with absolutely everything you said.
LOVE IT. You hit the nail on the head!
Thanks Sheryl! Peace! Appreciate the read and the compliment. : )
It’s weird to observe the news of your home country from afar. Especially if your home coutry is the US, “land of the free, home of the crazies”.
Haha – Yeah, it really is. A month ago, or whatever, when the US had come to an agreement with North Korea and was about to send food, I was pretty proud. So I should point that out. There are really good moments too. Although they sometimes are ruined by an inept rocket.
Things seem different when you are away.Someone needs to go talk to the people in the government. At the same time, I respect American values. It is just that it gets taken too far. Regarding Mitt Romney, I don’t think he is going to win. You just have to hear the comments made by people from his own party.
Hi Judith! I don’t think Mr. Romney will win either, also I think it will be closer than it should be.
Reblogged this on Judithsmarkworld and commented:
Very insightful post.
Thanks girl!
Ur welcome!
Loved what Jepiner said above their.
One thought provoking post this is.
Thanks Myth. I personally find posts that end with every bad REO Speedwagon joke one can think of to be the most stimulating posts of all.
Good reading!
The Detroit Madman makes a cameo in one of my hop hip [sic] rhymes:
“Lion in winter’s got a mean case of frostbite,
Cat scratch fever keeping Ted Nugent up at night.”
I’m just happy to know you have hip hop rhymes.