News & Politics

Rave

Bravo to Rant-Rave Pot Stirrers Who Make This So Much Fun

Posted 13 months ago|20 comments|435 views
Written by
Coloranter Raver
Denver, CO
It's been too long fellow ranters and ravers. I've been away, but now I'm back and with gusto. What inspired me to return? Well, I'd like to RAVE about my reasoning. I never much cared for the RAVE side of RANT-RAVE. I always much preferred to RANT. When I write a RAVE, it's usually like this one...nothing but sarcastic irony.

So, today, I'm going to simultaneously RAVE about my return by RAVING about some of the stuff I've been reading – which is partly why I've returned. The promise I made was not to write another minute for any website until I had finished my own first novel. Well, it's finally done and in the proverbial can. So, quite by chance, the other day checked my email and saw that some of my Rant-Rave friends had just posted. Some are all fancy with new titles like "Moderator" – hmm, very cool. I was immediately drawn back. You have to understand that back when I was first involved, I was the number 1 RANT / RAVER for quite a while. I spent hours and hours a day writing, researching, and publishing. I published 236 Rants and Raves with over 114,500 page views. It became, sort of, an obsession. I suddenly realized one day that as much as I loved it, it wasn't going to make me a life-changing income, and maybe I had ideas that needed to be told in another way. We'll see on that.

So, this morning, I wrote my first RANT and published it a while ago. Now I have to wait 30 minutes to publish my first RAVE – sorry, but that's change for the worse even if it does prevent spamming. When you've written as much as I have, you should be immune to that restriction.

Anyway, I'd like to take a moment to RAVE about some of the 'great' stuff I've read on Rant-Rave...so here goes!

Say It's So / Make It So, One-Sided Baloney About Islam Written by Revisionistic Malarkey Slingers Who Don't Know The First Thing About It but that Which Is Fed to Them by FOXNews and Company

The neo-conservative baloney being written about Islam is patently repulsive and there is a serious amount of education that needs to be accomplished. I'm sorry to offend, but anyone who calls Islam a blood thirsty religion needs to go back and start their history education over again. Talk to the Indigenous People of North America, the Hawai'ians, the descendants of the Aztecs and Mayans (yes they are still alive all over South and Central America), the people of India, and so on. Go back and read about the Crusades. Read the history of the Irish Republican Army. If you want to join in on a conspiracy to create a new enemy in the world because we "defeated" the communists in the USSR and sold all our debt to the communists of China and call it the people of Islam, then I guess that's your right, but you'll have to do it armed with facts not the fiction that is right-wing, neo-conservative dogma. It's great at stirring up fascists but not based in reality.

Glen Beck Syndrome Rising

Oh my such juicy conspiracy theories have been stirred up as to cause anyone with a penchant for logic and / or real research skills to have a hey-day! There have been some doozies published, and I cannot wait to get back into the fray. My favorite, though, has to be the one about the President deciding to commit US military might to the UN-Sanctioned, Arab League-supported Libyan no-fly zone to cover up the damage being done to the world by the horrible Japanese people who apparently used a secret machine to first devastate their nation with an earthquake and subsequently drown the remains with an epic tsunami all to cover up their real intention of poisoning the world with radioactive water produced by their diabolical radioactive water-making gizmos! Woo-hoo, let the fun begin!

What's Good for the Goose isn't Good for the Gander After All

Seems like GOPers don't like it when the shoe is on the other foot. When their President Bush took us headstrong into two useless and pointless wars that were desired by no one, they were going in with shock & awe philosophy. When he controlled both houses of Congress and the Supreme Court, his stooge, Karl Rove was salivating the installation of a permanent majority for the GOP in the US government for centuries to come. Unfortunately, it turned out the people were more interested in the price of gas, their jobs, having health care, and a bright vision of the future and removed Bush's three branch control first in the House (which turns over every 2 years) and then in the Executive Office. So, Obama had control of two houses for two years, Bush had control of three for six years, and yet the GOPers are whining and dining about total executive control of the the US????? This is just but one more example in a list that must be 50 items long of forked-tongue rhetoric spewed on a moment by moment basis from the slime balls on radical right. Oh my, I've been asleep at the wheel too long!


That's enough for my first RAVE back, bravo to the pot stirrers who are going to make my next few months a lot of fun as we go toe to toe.
EMAIL|FLAG THIS POST
COMMENTS
Alex Layton
Alex Layton
 Administrator
Puyallup, WA
13 months ago: It's good to have you back Ranter. I look forward to many future disagreements!
BadCyborg
BadCyborg
San Antonio, TX
13 months ago: Ah, Colorantal Raver, I suspect it would surprise you no end to find out that do not even WATCH Fox News. My WIFE watches Fox Sports HD when the Spurs game is not being carried on a local outlet, but I don't watch Fox News more than a few minutes per month. I spend much more time watching NBC News than I do Fox. The only thing on Fox networks I watch with any consistency are "Bones" and "Fringe" - drama programs not news programs.

My views about Islam are based entirely upon MY OWN RESEARCH online and at the library. Whence did you derive YOUR views? Have YOU actually taken time to look up the real history of Islam? Ever read any of the Koran? I have - at least in English translations.

I like some of what Beck has written but I do not watch his program. I also disagree with him frequently.

Oh, and I am not in any sense a "NEO" conservative. I am a conservative and have been the vast majority of my life. I was in the "Colts for Goldwater" club at David Crockett Junior High School in Odessa, TX (it has since been torn down) back in '64. I am really more of a libertarian, even. But I am not a NEO anything.

For the record, I wasn't exactly jumping for joy when we went into Iraq back in '92. Part of that was - admittedly - because I knew my only son would be in one of the first vehicles other than a tank to roll through the breach in the berm. But I also saw no strategic interest in Kuwait. Still Don't. I sort of agreed with the continuing dustups in the sandbox and rockpile, but I don't like that we aren't really going all out to win.

We have no constitutional reason to be in the air over Lybia. We are there because of a wholly socialist doctrine that imputes a "responsibility to protect" - i.e. a military extension of "to each according to their need; from each according to their ability". Because we have a large armed forces we have some sort of responsibility. Balderdash.
Coloranter Raver
Coloranter Raver
Denver, CO
13 months ago: Hi BadC, where were you two years ago when I was first rolling here at RR.

Don't protest too much, remember Shakespeare's contention on the issue.

I should think based on what you've written we might be able to provide some enlightenment via lively debate – which, to me, is the essence of what RR discussion can condone and that which has been suppressed in our nation across the board. No one is willing to say from the outset, "I believe A, but with some valid reasoned and seasoned debate, I might tone down or even change my belief." So, let's go on Islam. My knowledge comes from a gigantic pool. Not only have I studied long and hard, I've read the Qur'an and studied not just it but all of the world's great books of religion. By no means do I know everything, nor would I pretend to, but I do know quite a bit. I have other sources on this topic as well. One of the things I learned early on in my education about Islam and muslim people is that like all peoples it is inauthentic to fail to study their history with them and from their perspective. I put this also in the context of my mind-boggling first trip to China (I've been three times). Literally zero of what I had been taught in school from my American text books was accurate when it came to much of anything about China with the possible exception that yes, indeed, there was a structure called the Great Wall. Not only did I learn that much of what I had been taught about China was not only through an American lens but through a Japanese lens before it passed through the American lens. In my first encounters and studies with muslim people I learned a lot of things I never knew about the history of the birth of Israel. What I gleaned and you may have gleaned the same thing is that history is first and foremost in the eye of the beholder. Some famous historians have said that history is on the side of the one that wins the war. This is very true.
Coloranter Raver
Coloranter Raver
Denver, CO
13 months ago: It is sad when someone like Col. Ghadafy can use our own logic against us and say the rebels in his nation are Al Queda and nothing but terrorists. Really? But, he does make a point in that if rebels decide to top a government, are they rebels or are they terrorists? The distinction is lost depending on which side you are on. To King George, George Washington was a traitor, for us he was the first real American legend. Therefore, the history of Islam written by muslim people is different than the history of Islam written by non-muslims and vice-versa. Which begs the same question regardless of historical context, what is the truth? Unfortunately, the truth is no less relative than the history. My experience tells me we cannot ever know the truth, we can only get all sides of the story and try to make sense of it. Meanwhile, what I also learned is there may be something more important than the truth in studies of historical perspective and that is, rather, the motivations for telling a story a certain way.

You should be able to relate to this very well coming from Texas where you just sat through announcements from the Texas Board of Education that there were going to be changes to the curriculum to, for example, decrease the references to the United States as being a democratic nation which could be giving young children the appearance that it is a nation of Democrats. Maybe we share the irony that a well-educated population of students wouldn't make this mistake or would be able to understand the nuance in the difference between Democrats and a democratic nation, but that's beside the point. The point really is that what we teach our children may end up being less important than or motivation for what we teach them. And this circles back to Islam. You and I may never be able to come to agreement on its history or its current aims. Maybe we can find common ground in ascertaining why and who is motivated to teach us its evils because have a reason.
Coloranter Raver
Coloranter Raver
Denver, CO
13 months ago: Certainly, having read the Qur'an, you cannot deny the overwheming and striking overlaps between it and the old Testament. Certainly, you cannot believe that hundreds of millions of people would convert to Islam and over the past 1400 years if they thought the sole motivation was to destroy the west? There wasn't even a USA. Certainly, you are also in favor of separating the people who would abuse a religion be it a pedophile priest or a wicked middle eastern caliphate in order to control the weak or simple minded from the rest of the religion.

Beyond that, one has to ask, who exactly is motivated to keep creating enemies of our state just as soon as the old ones fall out of fashion? To me, the answers are clear and obvious. One need only watch this famous speech of Dwight D. Eisenhower exit speech on Jan. 17, 1961 (click here.
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
13 months ago: Welcome back Old-Timer. You were here a bit before my time, but I've seen your name in print more than a few times. You are a Rant Rave god. It's going to be fun. There are way too many conservative, goose-stepping, mindless zombies on this site. Let's give 'em heck.
Coloranter Raver
Coloranter Raver
Denver, CO
13 months ago: Thanks OotB! Not to worry, I'm ready to get rolling.
Coloranter Raver
Coloranter Raver
Denver, CO
13 months ago: I must have messed up my link to a YouTube® video above.

Just Google Search Dwight D. Eisenhower's exit speech video.

For Alex L., did we really disagree on things? I always thought you were just playing Devil's advocate so there would be some spit, fire, and venom on RR.com back in the early days. LOL
TheLegendTomWing
TheLegendTomWing
 Administrator
Philadelphia, PA
Content Removed by RantRave
TheLegendTomWing
TheLegendTomWing
 Administrator
Philadelphia, PA
13 months ago: Oh have I missed posts like these. I even voted for a democrat in the recent midterms, only one, but I would attribute that more acute eye for details to the discussions we used to have here. It's great to finally have you back.

On another note, I find it fascinating how you characterized what the truth is in history, as I have often wondered this when history teachers bring up wars in places like Vietnam.
georgeberaobama
georgeberaobama
Blakely Island, WA
13 months ago: Hi Raver.

Re: "Certainly, you cannot believe that hundreds of millions of people would convert to Islam and over the past 1400 years if they thought the sole motivation was to destroy the west?"

Islam don't have do anything to the USA you will do it all on your own. What have these US presidents have in common? Abe Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, John Kennedy. And other political murders, Martin Luthor King, Robert Kennedy
Abelink
Abelink
Carbonado, WA
13 months ago: Re: Meanwhile, what I also learned is there may be something more important than the truth in studies of historical perspective and that is, rather, the motivations for telling a story a certain way.

I am sitting looking out of a window and there is a beautiful rose growing in my garden. Does this rose have a religion? It does not care, peoples hatred and culture mean nothing to that rose.

To me it says that one of the most wonderful thing in this world does not care who's sun gives it warmth, who's rain feeds it and who's wind blows its seeds to flourish elsewhere. This rose does not depend on the prospective of peoples beliefs to grow. It just gets on with it.
13 months ago: It is going to get real fun real soon! One of my all time favorites has come home. Just like family. Welcome back. Don't get upset if I poke you in the eye or knock you upside of the head. I won't when you do the same to me.
Abelink
Abelink
Carbonado, WA
13 months ago: TCG

I am rolling my sleeves up as I speak.
Coloranter Raver
Coloranter Raver
Denver, CO
13 months ago: Cypress G., it's always friendly ribbing right? Good spirited debate! What happened to the days when good folks could argue intelligently on issues and come away friends? Independently minded people should be able to participate in articulate discussions and be persuaded to change their minds even.

Abelink,
Wow! Cool. I couldn't agree more on many levels. I would add though that there's nary an organism alive on the earth today that hasn't co-evolved dependencies on a myriad of other organisms. We are all connected in a vast web of life (with all due deference to Fritjof Capra). While we may not think there is motivation, Richard Dawkins would differ in stating that the motivation lies in our DNA rooted in its innate propensity to 'desire' to replicate.
13 months ago: Well, I won't be the one to say that I never called anyone a SH*TforBRAINS in a comment. Most likely I have been called it (or thought of) more than most. But we just keep plugging away...one comment / post / thread at a time. Needless to say. Honestly.

Welcome back.
Abelink
Abelink
Carbonado, WA
13 months ago: Color.

Re: I would add though that there's nary an organism alive on the earth today that hasn't co-evolved dependencies on a myriad of other organisms. We are all connected in a vast web of life (with all due deference to Fritjof Capra). While we may not think there is motivation, Richard Dawkins would differ in stating that the motivation lies in our DNA rooted in its innate propensity to 'desire' to replicate.

Some answer Color but it's a cop out. Because Dawkins speaks, you use that speak as if it proves a point. It proves no point at all, it's an opinion. Now if you could give an opinion from inside your own mind I would happily put you on the right track. Don't rest on your past performances, you want to debate then say something worthy of a debate.

13 months ago: Abe...? Does the Rose have a religion?
Abelink
Abelink
Carbonado, WA
13 months ago: TCG

You may break, you may shatter the vase, if you will.
But the scent of the roses will hang around still.

(Moore, Farewell! but whenever you welcome the Hour.)

Why burden a rose with religion, it does not need it as its aim in life is not to destroy what it cannot understand.
Paper Tiger
Paper Tiger
England
13 months ago: Hi Cypress.
Re: Does the Rose have a religion?

As we do not understand or tolerate any living thing that does not conform to our standards we normally belittle it of destroy it, which in reality is the same. Now just to throw something totally different into the pot, what about the possibility of life from another planet. To reach us they would have to be more intelligent than us, and if they have intelligence they would stay as far away from us as possible. As I have said, what we don't understand we destroy.
Gregoire
Gregoire
13 months ago: You've just made a most eloquent case for the gospel.

Post a Comment
Sign in or sign up to post a comment.