Election Crisis Management: A Calming Dose of Humor

A Good Humor vendor (Public Domain- Wikipedia)

We the people, in my view, need to try to influence, somehow, if possible, shorter political campaigning cycles in the U. S. A. We are subjected to campaigns of two or more years. We are worn out. We need more Good Humor trucks in the neighborhood than political signs. 
     And also...what might we do in the near future to start working to stifle the length of time paid professional campaign staffs, lobbyists, pundits, and advertisers can overdo politics? I think that even some candidates would appreciate any success we might have in such action.
     Meanwhile, in the present situation and in need of a "lighten up" injection to keep my brain balanced...or somewhat near that state...today I took a Blend of the Day  politics-and-calming-tongue-in-cheek-humor break with Deirdre Reilly's "Guide to Politics," given the upcoming USA elections. I invite you to follow the links in this section and take a break. She's only kidding...I think.Having witnessed a television on the street interview with a few 20-somethings recently, however, I think she's onto something. The young people could not name from which country the U. S. gained its independence. What school system was teaching them during their K-12 years, one wonders. It pains you to see young people so uncomfortable and embarrassed not to know that answer as well as the answer to "who is the Vice President of the U. S. now?" I am not kidding you.
     A reminder: If you don't vote early, vote at the final opportunity, which is next Tuesday, November 6, before the polls close. Meanwhile, if you are still undecided about your votes, you have a little time left to listen to both sides of every issue that matters the most to you, whether it's jobs, education, unions, health, stopping the legalization of yet another casino in Maryland, U.S. Chrysler auto manufacturing overseas, local judge-ships, or other topics that could affect your life and your loved ones' lives significantly, up ahead.     

Copyright (c) 2012 Opinari Writers. Do you like this blog? Join, Tweet, FB, Like, or Recommend it? Thank you.
P. S. Deirdre's Portlandia excerpts

Syria Solutions

English: Arab_League_(orthographic_projection) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Regarding Syrian children and adult civilians being used by government military as human shields:
     It takes more than a UN List of Shame.

It takes more than U.S. proclamations of disgust and disfavor. 

     It might need Arab League intervention efforts now. 10 PM/EST update_AL offer rejected by Syria_6/13/12.

     It might require what other civilian armies of civil wars have used --non-national military helpers.

     The U. S. Department of State is expressing formal concerns and, most recently, strong disfavor. Solid action is needed, yet what kind? Could it start, at the least, with independent U. S. end to military helicopters now going to Syrian government from Russia. Helicopters are made by the same supplier for U. S. military, Department of Defense, according to reports* on this under-reported part of the Syria story. Hillary Clinton does give U. S. endorsement for Arab League plan.  

The most pressing human issue is mostly on the ground, as civilians, including children, are being arrested, tortured, and killed by Syrian military, and others are used as human shields.

     Yet, the facts still are not convincing the above entities what is not only do-able but workable. One hopes for some brainstorm among the international leaders...aware of inevitable intensification with any action that might be taken. I have edited this more in effort to face the realities, while still hoping the powers might go beyond talk to some, even one, action to push against, to thwart, or to seriously damage. 

Many are praying for the people of Syria.

Note on another side: Opposition forces and Christians in Syria: Qusayr (Agenzia Fides) - The Christian Maurice Bitar was killed in Qusayr, near the town of Homs where the Christian population - about a thousand people out of 10 thousand who lived there before the beginning of the violence - has been forced to flee after the 'ultimatum launched by an armed faction in the opposition forces led by General Abdel Salam Harba (see Fides 09/06/2012).

*CNN

*Examiner

Text copyright (c)2012 Opinari Writers

Related articles always unedited

• Fresh violence reported in Syria

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• Syria now in full-scale civil war: UN

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• Russia sending attack helicopters to Syria: US

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• Kofi Annan 'gravely concerned' by Syria upsurge as regime helicopter gunships unleash their fire

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• Syria denies it is in a state of civil war - CBC.ca

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"Remembrance" by Rudyard Kipling, "Lest we forget"

Image by Getty Images via @daylife-wife of Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid/UK

Image via Wikipedia public domain

Image via Wikipedia Afghan children wait for basic medical care...

Jean Purcell

  Lest We Forget

God of our fathers, known of old—
Lord of our far-flung battle line—
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies—
The Captains and the Kings depart—
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

Far-called our navies melt away—
On dune and headland sinks the fire—
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe—
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
Or lesser breeds without the Law—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard—
All valiant dust that builds on dust, And guarding calls not Thee to guard.
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy Mercy on Thy People, Lord!
Amen.

Opinari Writers Copyright (c)2012

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