Random ramblings
Whatever your personal thoughts on the immigration debate (and mine are that it's somewhat oxymoronic for millions who've snuck into the country illegally to be complaining that their "inalienable rights" are being violated), you can't help but marvel at the magnificent organization and coordination of the public protests that have already occurred, and those planned for this coming Monday.
It makes me wonder, though, what might have happened had these same masses bothered to pool similar energies and passions to force meaningful change in the nation(s) they abandoned, those whose flags they so defiantly wave today? Or if all that fire and drive had been directed at streamlining legal visa and immigration processes, or pursuing actual U.S. citizenship through existing channels during the decades (in many cases) these visitors have been looking over their shoulders, dreading the arrival of the INS?
Hey, it's just a rhetorical question. And it's one that my Cuban-born, suffered-through-the-red-tape-and-obtained-legal-citizenship, significant other wonders as well...
- - - - -
I decided this morning to blame everything on Monica Lewinsky. Oh, say what you want about Bubba's smooth and irresistible charm, and his utter lack of self-control. And anyone who knows me can certify my feminist bona fides, so don't even think about going there. No, Monica was all grown up and knew exactly what she was doing - and that, in so doing, she was betraying a fellow sister without one shred of conscience, solidarity, or guilt.
So I blame Monica. Without Monica, Al Gore would undoubtedly be guiding the nation in a positive direction for the sixth straight year of his Presidency. Without Monica, our federal budget wouldn't be lying in shambles. Without Monica, the U.S. would be leading the way in combating global warming and developing alternative energy sources. Without Monica, FEMA would still be the effective agency it had become during the Clinton years, and its Katrina response would have set the gold standard for disaster preparedness. Without Monica, our Constitution would not be under relentless assault from the very people charged with its defense. Without Monica, there would be no quagmire in Iraq.
Sure, Bubba was weak, and should have had the moral fiber to just say no. But I blame Monica for making America the unrecognizable theocratic monarchy it is today.
- - - - -
With gas prices soaring, the SUV has come under withering attack from all corners. I feel compelled to rise to its defense.
Personally, I'd love to drive a Prius or other "environmentally friendly" vehicle on those occasions where circumstance requires me to put pedal to metal. But what's a family of 6 to do? I didn't purchase my SUV for reasons of status or vanity or callousness toward Mother Earth. I got it simply because it was the most practical solution to the transportation needs of my growing family - and because auto manufacturers had done away with the available alternative of a good ol' wood-paneled station wagon.
And to me, the issue shouldn't be comparative fuel efficiency of a Ford Explorer and a Volkswagen GTI. Bigger, heavier vehicles are by nature going to suck more fuel than their lightweight cousins. The question at hand is what's going into that oversized tank. 'Cause if my fellow SUV owners and I were filling up with ethanol or bio-diesel, or cruising to that weekday soccer game on electric cells, I'd be willing to guarantee we wouldn't be the social pariahs we are today.
So, in the charitable spirit of Christian forgiveness and compassion, pity the beleaguered SUV. Until we suburbanites have something else with which we can transport 5 kids, 3 equipment bags, and 2 coolers of Gatorade to baseball practice, we're just gonna have to keep using them. In the meantime, I guess I'll simply have to endure your misplaced scorn and derision.
It makes me wonder, though, what might have happened had these same masses bothered to pool similar energies and passions to force meaningful change in the nation(s) they abandoned, those whose flags they so defiantly wave today? Or if all that fire and drive had been directed at streamlining legal visa and immigration processes, or pursuing actual U.S. citizenship through existing channels during the decades (in many cases) these visitors have been looking over their shoulders, dreading the arrival of the INS?
Hey, it's just a rhetorical question. And it's one that my Cuban-born, suffered-through-the-red-tape-and-obtained-legal-citizenship, significant other wonders as well...
- - - - -
I decided this morning to blame everything on Monica Lewinsky. Oh, say what you want about Bubba's smooth and irresistible charm, and his utter lack of self-control. And anyone who knows me can certify my feminist bona fides, so don't even think about going there. No, Monica was all grown up and knew exactly what she was doing - and that, in so doing, she was betraying a fellow sister without one shred of conscience, solidarity, or guilt.
So I blame Monica. Without Monica, Al Gore would undoubtedly be guiding the nation in a positive direction for the sixth straight year of his Presidency. Without Monica, our federal budget wouldn't be lying in shambles. Without Monica, the U.S. would be leading the way in combating global warming and developing alternative energy sources. Without Monica, FEMA would still be the effective agency it had become during the Clinton years, and its Katrina response would have set the gold standard for disaster preparedness. Without Monica, our Constitution would not be under relentless assault from the very people charged with its defense. Without Monica, there would be no quagmire in Iraq.
Sure, Bubba was weak, and should have had the moral fiber to just say no. But I blame Monica for making America the unrecognizable theocratic monarchy it is today.
- - - - -
With gas prices soaring, the SUV has come under withering attack from all corners. I feel compelled to rise to its defense.
Personally, I'd love to drive a Prius or other "environmentally friendly" vehicle on those occasions where circumstance requires me to put pedal to metal. But what's a family of 6 to do? I didn't purchase my SUV for reasons of status or vanity or callousness toward Mother Earth. I got it simply because it was the most practical solution to the transportation needs of my growing family - and because auto manufacturers had done away with the available alternative of a good ol' wood-paneled station wagon.
And to me, the issue shouldn't be comparative fuel efficiency of a Ford Explorer and a Volkswagen GTI. Bigger, heavier vehicles are by nature going to suck more fuel than their lightweight cousins. The question at hand is what's going into that oversized tank. 'Cause if my fellow SUV owners and I were filling up with ethanol or bio-diesel, or cruising to that weekday soccer game on electric cells, I'd be willing to guarantee we wouldn't be the social pariahs we are today.
So, in the charitable spirit of Christian forgiveness and compassion, pity the beleaguered SUV. Until we suburbanites have something else with which we can transport 5 kids, 3 equipment bags, and 2 coolers of Gatorade to baseball practice, we're just gonna have to keep using them. In the meantime, I guess I'll simply have to endure your misplaced scorn and derision.
posted by Bob P @ 12:20 PM
4 Comments:
You shouldn't have to feel guilty about your SUV, Bob. You're already suffering enough at the pump.
;-)
Dude, very revealing post today. I would disagree slightly though, there are a few wagons left that aren't bad vehicles, like the Forester. Of course, their MPG may be worse than a minivan or the SUV, i'm not sure (It's been a looooong time since I looked at new cars - thank you, George Bush)
Also, your wife is Cuban? I'm reading Waldron and Hartmann's Ultimate Sacrifice, about the Kennedys' plans to overthrow Castro and how they backfired. It's very interesting, although they conveniently ignore George H.W. Bush's role in all of it, and E. Howard Hunt is barely mentioned.
As far as Cuba goes, what does your wife think of Castro? Should we really believe everything the corporate media says about Cuba and their government? How iron-fisted is Castro, anyway? And what is Chavez's role in all of this? I've been purchasing all my fuel at CITGO to support the Bolivarian Revolution.
Hi Bob,
I am an avid new fan of The Hue and Cry, and look forward to having my thoughts and political feelings justified near daily by your insightful posts.
But, I have to respectfully disagree with 2 of these 3 random ramblings.
1. I think this illegal immigration issue is overwhelmingly complex, and honestly I think both sides have some valid points...but I think that both sides have formed opinions without having enough facts to do so. I know many people in the position of being undocumented, and my ex-partner overstayed his visa and had no status until one of my good friends married him. To be honest, your wife only had the opportunity to "suffer the red tape" and do it the legal way because Cubans have a uniquely special status. There are really only 3 ways to do it the legal way: Have an extraordinary skill or extraordinary wealth, be able to prove refugee status from a designated "bad" regime, or to be married to an American citizen. Should you not fit into one of these categories, you won't EVER be given the opportunity to suffer through the red tape. The vast, vast majority of "legal" immigrants were at some point illegal until they found an American to marry (for papers or love, and of course, it has to be heterosexual as gay partners are not considered). Basically, what I'm saying is I think that the system needs to be completely overhauled, to give more people a shot at doing it the right way.
Also, I don't think that this boycott and the protests are being interpreted for what they are. I really don't think that the majority of these people are demanding rights of citizenship. I don't see them demanding anything. I really believe that most of them are good people who are already a part of this country and just want to be seen. They just want us to know that they are here, and that they are more than just sweaty bodies in the fields and restaurants and construction sites. They are people who are fighting for survival, just as you or I would.
2. Bill and Monica behaved shamefully. Both of them. Only one of them had a commitment to a married partner (as far as we know). But, really, the American people are to blame for being so ignorant as to allow the first election to be as close as it was, and to choose to elect him again - knowing full well what a hateful moron he is.
3. I'm not a big fan of SUVs, but we all just have to make the best choices we can.
Thanks, all, for your comments. I was obviously in an unusually (even for me) grumpy mood during this post, almost biting the tongue planted somewhat tentatively in my cheek!
Anthony, have no fear - I flaunt my SUV proudly. :-) Besides, it's all my damn kids that are sucking me dry!
Jeff, I'll send you a long missive on my better half's opinions about Fidel. Suffice it to say (for now) that even after forty years, there's still an abundance of raw emotion attached to the subject - especially concerning the family members still living in Havana and Cienfuegos.
Cyrus, welcome! Yes, I know I was a bit callous about the immigration issue, and that it's a complex situation. I agree that the entire system needs to be reexamined, and that the rhetoric emanating from both sides of the debate is, like most polarized rhetoric, not addressing the point.
As for Monica... Guess I should have included a "sarcasm disclaimer" - and, again, I couldn't agree more that a sort of willful ignorance on the part of the voting public is truly to blame...
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