The Age of Uninformed Politics

The age of uninformed politics is upon us. The beast has been growing for a while and now it seems to be consuming us all. Make no mistake, things will never be the same. Now, with the way information is shared, it is easier than ever to pass lies off as truth. Deception shakes the hands of strangers every day while honesty hides her face among friends. I blame technology. I blame money. I blame all of us.

I think that one of the problems is something that we were all taught growing up. As a kid, I always used to quote things that I had heard on television, trying to pass off what I heard my favorite comedian say as actual fact. My family, my friends' parents and even my teachers would always tell me that If I didn't read it, then I couldn't trust it. They told me that I couldn't trust what was on T.V. and that television was all about ratings; that they could make anything up on my shows. I liked that. I'm glad that I was brought up that way, because it would make me go out and research what I heard my favorite comedian say. It made me read books. I would read the leftover newspapers after I would get done delivering my local paper route. I wanted to be informed so that it was harder for people to dismiss my opinions, and I didn't want people to easily be able to feed me misinformation.

The popularity of the internet has, in a way, changed all of that. And although academic professionals refuse to accept many websites as legitimate sources of information, the majority of the voting population doesn't seem to feel the same way. Information printed on private websites is being treated as the holy truth. Because it's the written word, and something they are reading, it must be true.

And the more popular it is, the higher amount of legitimacy does it hold. Take the iPhone 6 #bendgate as just an example. After a video or two went viral of new iPhones bending in people's pockets, people started thinking all iPhones bend. #bendgate caused Apple stock to temporarily fall, and I heard many people discussing the fact that they were hesitant to purchase one if it bends so easily. But let's keep this in mind: In the first weekend the iPhone went on sale, more than ten million units were sold, and according to an NPR radio report, Apple only had nine official incidents of the iPhone bending. But the damage, as they say, had already been done. People have even made videos showing how easily the iPhone 6 bends, by actually trying to bend their phones. Look, I don't care what phone I have, but if I want to bend a phone, I will. Maybe it's time those people who put their phone in their pocket should admit that, just maybe, the reason the phone bent in their pocket in the first place is because they have a fat ass. But I'm digressing a bit. Everyone knows that in business, perception is everything. This is just an example of how a popular video can shape the perception of the public. The problem is when this same phenomenon happens in politics.

I read a blurb online the other day that was trying to convince the American voting public that President Obama was allowing illegal immigrants to serve in the military and protect this country. This was obviously an anti-Obama propaganda post asking the readers, "how can we trust a president who is allowing illegal immigrants, who don't care about us anyway, to protect our country"? How could illegal immigrants protect our nation, the author explained, if they don't love our nation enough

to come to it legally. Words like "treason" and "traitor" were used throughout the article, but that wasn't the scary part of it because both sides of the aisle have used smear campaigns to their advantage since the beginning of politics. The scary part about the whole article is that it had over twenty four thousand shares, meaning twenty four thousand people had shared this article with their friends, family, and acquaintances. After reading absurdity like that, I'd like to think that most of the people were sharing the article because they wanted to share the ignorance and bigotry contained within it's words. But I know that's not the case. I knew that wasn't the case by the amount of comments written by people who I am ashamed to call my countrymen. Anger. Absolute hatred. Emotions that cause people to get up and act, all caused by a downright lie blaming the current president for a program that was set up by the president before him (MAVNI was signed into act by George W. Bush and finally started in 2009 under President Obama).

Obviously, most of these concerned citizens expressing their disappointment in their president hadn't done any actual reading, research, or actual fact checking. Because they were reading something that was well written, most of these self proclaimed patriots believed it. I mean, if someone took the time to write it, it must be true. I feel like a lot of these online political gurus think, "Yes, you have written words that explain a lot of the views that I share. I like you. You think like me. I trust you." And these people, these online freedom fighters, are going to go vote. They are going to get pissed off about these lies they are told, and they are going to go to the polls and vote, and that scares me.

But the age of uninformed politics continues further than that with all of the celebrity news anchors. All of them. From the Fox News team, telling the world that the left is turning America into the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah, to the MSNBC anchors doing nothing but complaining about how the right won't play fair. I can't go through a day of work without hearing, word for word, what Bill O'reilly's views on illegal immigration in the country are. Of course, my co-worker is passing Bill's words off as his own. I don't hear the slightest sign of actual intelligence in these people's words, as their mouthes move like a puppet without a functioning brain.

And of course, we already know that certain news channels are going to report with a biased point of

view. I'm not talking about bias. I'm talking about how these news channels, the same ones that claim to report the news honestly, are giving us bold faced lies. The faces of the news are becoming so popular that people are following them with blind faith. It's starting to almost get to the point where caring about what Wolf Blitzer and Glenn Beck have to say, is almost the same as caring about what Tom Cruise and Ben Affleck's opinions on the Benghazi scandal are. And it continues to go that way as more and more people seem to trust people like Jon Stewart as a viable news source. I mean, I absolutely love Jon Stewart, but him being a "News Anchor" on Comedy Central just helps to prove my point.

So what's the point then? What the hell are we supposed to do? Well, hopefully you just continue to do what you have been doing. Hopefully, instead of sharing the political propaganda that you see on Facebook right after you read it, you should do some research on the subject if it's written about something you care about it. And if it isn't factual, you need to do your duty to not share it, but to tell the author, and the people reading the same lies as you, the actual facts. We need to do less convincing and more enlightening. I can make up any fib that jumps into my head in order to convince you of something and get you on my side. But we should strive to actually educate and challenge each other. Start asking why and questioning authority because the ones in power don't want you to. It's not good enough to just make a decision, but instead, make an intelligent one that you are able to defend when challenged. The world doesn't need another talking head. It needs a thinking mind.


H.H.

Gun Control and Political Meme's

To whom it may concern,

Hil hates you.

And I say that from the bottom of my heart.  It is, after all, the new year and was recently my birthday, and I have made it a birthday promise of mine to to be sincere and honest about everything I say.  So to all the selfish, greedy people that do nothing but hide like snakes behind bumper sticker politics, I would like to say to you as sincerely and honestly as possible, that I hate you.  With a passion and ferocity that that is hard to hold back or chain up.  This is for everyone who can't look at the big picture without first pondering how they can benefit from any situation.  Everyone who opposes change for the greater good, so as to protect their little chocolate covered personal pursuit of paradise.  Every one of the borderline closet racists who preach your politics loudly every day, yet really have no clue why you believe in what you do, other than the fact that your favorite news anchor told you to believe something.  I am the angry neighbor dog just waiting for a chance to bite your ass.  

I have to chuckle to myself while I write this. I know that there are going to be a lot of people behind me up to this point. A lot of freedom fighters that think we play for the same team. And I really wish I could be in the room to witness, or at least see all the faces, of all the people that figure out halfway into this piece that's it's written about them.  

I first point at you. Yeah. The guy who makes broad, general, negative statements about their feelings about the country, but can't explain why with his own thoughts. You believe facts that are based purely on your own blind ignorance.  I hate you because of the conversation we had the other day.

"Obama doesn't care about the state of our country at all. He doesn't want to get us out of debt," was the first thing I heard. 

"How's that?"

I was then sent a picture. Not an article, news report, or YouTube clip. Just a picture with some words on it, which apparently is the best way to exchange news headlines on the Internet today. It was simply a picture of the Obama family, smiling and being happy, with a caption that read, 'Obama is taking a vacation to Hawaii that is going to cost 4.1 million dollars. Click the like button if you think Obama should worry about the country instead of spending money on himself.'  

All the proof you need?

First off, if you think that you're going to change anything by clicking a 'Like' button, then you need to go back to grade school and learn about common sense. Besides that, the first thing I thought to myself was "Wow. That is kind of messed up that Obama is going on a 4.1 million dollar vacation in this economic state." The vacation didn't bother me, it was just the cost. But after being hypnotized by the headline on the picture, which is exactly what it's designed to do, I happened to read where it came from. A Facebook page. I don't think my high school English teacher would have let me cite a Facebook page as a resource of credible information. Especially a Facebook page called "America's National White History Month". You have got to be kidding me. Hasn't it been white history month in America every month for the last 400 years, you fucking bigot? 

I didn't have much time, but I told you my initial thoughts about the cost and said, "But it's kind of weird that you're getting this stuff from a Facebook page called 'America's National White History Month', don't you think?"

"Yeah," You replied, "that's why I was a little weary of sharing. I didn't think people would understand."

Listen to yourself. No shit they won't understand and you know exactly why. I didn't say that, but I should have. 

"But can you believe it? That President of yours loves to think he's a movie star. You Dem's really know how to pick 'em," You said in a pompous way that tried to hide the fact you didn't know what you were talking about. 

"Did you read where exactly he was going? Is it just for family?" I asked. 

"No."

"Did you read about if he's going to go for any presidential business?"

"No, but I can't believe this guy. How does he get off talking about change and everyone doing their fair part to help, and then he goes and spends all this money on himself.  He is the problem." You said reassuringly.  Somehow, you had a big opinion on the matter already. 

"Wait a minute. wait. wait. wait," I said confused, "did you read anything about it?"

"No, but…….blah……..blah…..blah."

I should have stopped you right there and told you how full of shit you were. I didn't. I told you I'd have to read into it a bit more and that I really couldn't give a fair opinion about anything based on a political Meme.  At this point however, the vacation and the money it was going to cost were no longer the proper topics of conversation.  If you don't have the ability to see past the newest, viral Internet gimmick, then you are forfeiting your ability to make an informed decision about choices that actually matter. This is what our system is based around. A process, centered around debate and vote, fails on all levels if the people are uninformed and uneducated on the issues at hand.  Nothing pisses me off more than making a point of mine during a debate, adding facts that I have read with personal opinion, only to have my opponent return my serve with Internet fodder and stupid pictures.  The only thing you are doing by trusting facts from a meme or slogan is helping "Them". And in the continual conflict of "Us" versus "Them", ignorance and blind belief is this country's kryptonite. Tell me why you hide behind the words of a bumper sticker, and I would like to hear your own thought process and ideas instead of some regurgitated nonsense you heard last night on prime time. 

But it doesn't end with there.

I continue on with my day and run into you.  And you don't really care what I do, or what changes I want to make, as long as I don't try and take your guns.  I only use you as an example, obviously, because today you are in my face everywhere I go.  You think "gun control" is a curse word.  You told me that you agree with me that there needs to be a change. There needs to be something that we can do to stop this violence; As long as I don't strip your freedom to carry an an AR-15 with extended clip and laser sight.  I mean, you said it yourself: You are protecting my first amendment rights with your second amendment.  Spoons don't make people fat. Cars kill more people than guns. If the zombie apocalypse happens, you'll be the first person I'll come running to.

Fuck you.

If you aren't a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem. Period. You CANNOT ignore the obvious problem that having such a PRO-gun society has led us to.  Why do we need guns that will literally blow up a deer?  You could hunt a deer with a crossbow (and personally, I think that sound like more fun).  Protection?  Oh, I see. You think that you should be able to use anything that the "bad guys" have. That makes a lot of sense. In fact, we should all start thinking like the bad guys. We all need to get into a "bad guy" mentality. That would sure make the world a better place.  Safer, too.

God, Sarcasm is so hard to convey in writing...

Republicans for gun control? Crazy.

"It's our constitutional right. The 2nd amendment was put in place so that the people could protect themselves from a tyrannical government.  To protect themselves when Presidents like Obama try to take the guns away. That's what our forefathers wanted."

Guess what? No they didn't.  Thomas Jefferson did not intend on the second amendment to be used against himself. He did not give people the right to own guns so that they could remove him from office forcefully if they thought he was being a "tyrant".  At that time, there were many countries that had the possibility of moving in and attacking an already hurt America. And it was every one's fear that England and her Redcoats would return at anytime to reclaim what she believed was rightfully hers.  The people were expected to be armed so that they could help fight against an outside force coming in.

Also, there was no such thing as the United States Armed Forces. THERE WAS NO STANDING ARMY.  If you had a gun that you owned back then,  you were obligated to help protect the land as a whole.  Not just your family. So if you want to own an AK-47,  AR-15, or an Uzi because it's "your right", I suggest you at least go sign up for the National Guard first.  Pussy. 

The thing is, we all have rights. And we all believe that something is important to us, but we forget that our beliefs are not necessarily the same as others. And that is OK. I do not hate you simply for thinking different than me, but if we both don't agree on a solution to a problem, compromise is needed. It must happen. If we don't compromise, we will die off. If we stop caring about other people, we will go the way of the Dodo Bird. Extinct, with only the memory of our race left behind for whoever, or whatever,  comes after us to make fun of.  I'm not willing to let that happen.  I believe we can change things.  I want to fight with you, not against you.  I care.  And if you do to; If you really believe something needs to be done, or that change needs to happen, then do it and be the change. Help me. Talk with me, not to me. Work with me together. 

And stop being so selfish. 

Quoting Love

To whom it may concern,

Hil hates you.

This one is a little bit random, but i'm talking to you. Yes, you. The one that thinks they know everything about love. Suddenly, the love sage has taken over the internet like a plague. As if emotion can be summed up within 140 characters, or that a few clever words stolen from someone else will suddenly make sense when placed on top of a romantic picture. Love memes. How fucking inspiring. And I'm sorry, but I have to call out mostly women for this. Or should I say girls? Although, there are also a lot of naive little boys thinking that if they quote Shakespeare enough that the heartache they feel will suddenly make sense. It won't.

"Come what sorrow can, it cannot countervail the exchange of joy, that one short minute gives me in her sight."

Has now become:

"If you can't take me at my worst, then you don't deserve me at my best."

Very clever, little girl. Look, if I can't handle you at your worst, it doesn't mean I don't deserve you at your best. It means you're bat shit crazy. Believe me. I can handle a lot.

And really, the advent of the internet is really what has helped make this problem more apparent. There has always been people using quotes from other writers. Little journals filled with doodles and words of wisdom to themselves. With the key word being "themselves". Unfortunately now, I'm forced to read people quoting their favorite line from the latest episode of Dr. Phil, thinking they possess as much wisdom as Buddha, Mother Teresa, or the Dali Lama. These cyber philosophers are in my face. All the time. If the internet was school, Social Media would be riding the short bus to class.

It's a shame that your actions don't mirror your Facebook page's introspective genius. Four hours after you're done posting on Facebook about realizing that you know everything about love and relationships, I'm guessing that I'm going to see you at your favorite real life social hangout spot, pressing your slightly exposed ass against the first random guy with a smile. All the while, sharing more of the wisdom you've learned on the Internet:

"YOLO!!!"

Fuck you.

I'm kind of embarrassed that this blog was inspired by what I see on social media websites. A blog complaining about memes. There's comedy somewhere in that. But that's not what it's about. What really bugs me are these people looking for motivation from others without trying to think through their problems themselves. First off, whoever you are, if you are constantly flooding the internet with annoying pictures of the cutest couple ever, laid underneath of cliche quotes written by a Hallmark card author, then you're giving everyone who sees it a tiny peek at just how crazy you are. Why are you not using your lost love as a process to see clearly, understand the things that you can learn from and want to forget, and remember the things that made you happy. A witty quote may be relatable and make you realize others have been where you are now, but if you don't think deeply about any situation that is bothering you then you will never be able change. And when you're unhappy, usually the best remedy is a deep, truthful dose of change.

You haven't felt anything that hasn't touched me. And you don't impress me by your ability to share virtual tragedy in the form of comedy with me. Show me something real. If i'm going to be bombarded by this self loathing digital bullshit constantly, at least make it something that you created yourself. I want to see the real. I want to hear about how you think that you told her "I love you" too soon. Tell me honestly if you think that you should have moved to California with him. I want to read the words of someone coming to the realization that they are attracted to someone that hurts them. And I don't want to hear you laugh about it afterwards.

So I put the test to you. Stop telling me what's wrong with your life. Especially if you're going to do it through the words of someone else. Think about your problems. Really think about them. Then think of one thing that you truly want to change about yourself, or the way you live, and actually do it. Seriously try. Do things that you normally wouldn't. Say Yes. Or if you find yourself doing that too much, it might be a good idea to start saying no. Get off the short bus. I'm giving you the ability to change. Take two doses and call me in the morning.

H.H.

Welcome to the Hil

To whom it may concern,

Hil hates you.

I'm not here to try to make any sense to you because most of you don't make any sense to me.  I'm never going to claim that I know what everything is all about, and I will never promise that I'm going to provide any answers that you are laboring for.   But I will try to point out everything that's wrong with you, me, and this crazy carnival ride we call life.  There aren't many certainties in the world, and I like that, but during my ride I've learned a few things that I know for sure:  The term, "this is better than sex", is not always false but is rarely true. It's OK to drink during the day as long as you're drinking scotch. And, a cold bed with someone is always better than a warm bed alone.  But still, the one question that I continue to hunt down the answer for is, "Why are people so deplorably stupid?". 

I find it funny writing this first post  during the festive, and cheerful, Thanksgiving weekend. It makes me feel the need to write something that is centered around the Holiday. If that's what you're expecting, I don't know if it's what you'll get by the end.

Every year during this time, by default, everyone seems to always be talking about food, diets, stomach training and bulimia.  That's all I can remember hearing my whole life during the month of November, but now with Facebook and social media in it's most booming period, people's opinions are more in your face than ever. The good. The bad. The brainless.

My favorites are the ones who think that they're going to change the world by pointing fingers, ranting and complaining on their favorite social media outlet about how they are better than anyone who celebrates this Holiday.  You know who they are.  The first ones to let you know how horrible of a person you are because you're going to stuff your face with more food than you need, and "how dare you fill your stomach to the point of explosion while there are homeless and starving kids in Africa!!".  They are also the last ones to provide any real answer on how they can do their part to help these poor starving children in Africa, unless it involves organizing a music festival full of jam bands feeding the world with their spiritual sounds, or somehow transcending above the "capitalistic and selfish ways of American society" with sheer deep thought and meditation.

Fuck you.

First off, most of the people that I hear, or lately read, that are preaching this type of ignorant hate, lack any kind of real world experience.  Just because you have lived by choice with the bare minimum, doesn't mean you are any better than someone who decides to overindulge. That's the thing about deep thought. You actually need to think. Until you decide to actually take action about something you care for, you are no different than a person who doesn't even bother to care in the first place. And you can't expect anyone to start following you until you start the journey. Chew on that for a second.

Now, that leaves the rest of you. The ones who have worked in a food pantry, or served hot dinners to the homeless on Saturday night, and still preach about how Thanksgiving is such a gluttonous holiday. My hat goes off to you, but I have one very important thing to say to you. Relax.  Life is what you make it, and the best way to rise above whatever chains you believe these holidays put on our culture, is to think about how to make Thanksgiving good for you.  Due to my ancestors history with the Native Americans, I don't personally celebrate this time of year with a warm feeling in my heart while thinking about the settlers and Indians sitting down to a peaceful turkey dinner drowning in gravy. The original Cowboys vs. Redskins turkey day tradition. However, I do use the time as a reason to get together with family, friends, and everyone else I love to try to reconnect with old relationships that I miss and further solidify the ones I have.  If you think that a certain Holiday is all about greed, just make it about love.

Now, I'm not defending everyone that overindulges during thanksgiving.  Mr. "deep-fried Turducken and french fry feast", you do not get a pass from me.  If you have more cool whip than pumpkin pie, I hate you. And if you're saving your fourth helping of mashed potatoes and gravy on your face for later, I pray that you aren't raising children.  I'm sure that you do, in fact, need that last turkey leg, but don't you want to ask if there is still anyone hungry that might want it?    A woman I met told me that there wasn't much that could make her not like a person, unless they put too much mayonnaise on their sandwich.  I like that.  

But you see, the thing I hate most about these Thanksgiving-haters that I hear and read all over the Internet, is the fact that the day AFTER Thanksgiving is never included. No one ever says a bad word about Black Friday until they've  gotten back from Walmart. Their trunks stuffed with bags more than their stomachs the day before.  This day disgusts me. Will someone please explain to me how this was even started? I mean, the term "Black Friday" is actually referring to companies' profit lines. Basically, corporate America has named the Friday after Thanksgiving in celebration of their profits rising out of the red, and into the black.  The fucking day is all about rich people making more money, and all we can do is screw over the next person for a new coffee maker.  If there is a day that can singularly resemble ignorant greed, it is Black Friday.  I have seen fights between old women, children abandoned by their parents, and the most revolting forms of selfishness all in the name of getting the best deal on the newest "Molest-me-Elmo" doll.  I have an idea. This year for Christmas, you should teach your children a lesson by showing them how to not give in to corporate brainwashing.  Believe it or not, teaching your kids to not imitate your bad habits IS doing something. But unfortunately, based on the pictures I saw, that Walmart strike isn't working out too good.  

So, with that other Holiday right around the corner, try to calm down. People may not celebrate the way that you do, but celebrating in general is the point. Instead of telling someone how NOT to do something, try to show them how TO do something. It's really all about fun and feeling happy, and if you aren't going to do any good, at least don't do anything bad.  Try to help someone. Make somebody laugh. Tell her how you feel. Remember to enjoy yourself and everything you have. Eat whatever you want, but make my sandwich light on the mayonnaise. 

H.H.