connecting*the*dots

Electric Six, Gay Bar.

(originally uploaded by cjsylvor)

(originally uploaded by Von Hutchins)

“Terrorists can be defeated simply by not becoming terrified — that is, anything that enhances fear effectively gives in to them.”
- John Mueller, Ohio State University

(originally uploaded by celebdu)

(originally uploaded by jamarju)

“I am worried that I have a finger-pointing President who quite possibly does more damage to more people every day than any traditional terrorist could do in a lifetime and most likely won’t be happy until he completely isolates America from the rest of the world, throwing all of us into a third World War.”
- Alex Sandell, Terrorists in Business Suits 2: The Second Coming

Every time this commercial airs, I want to kick in my television.

It’s driving me absolutely crazy. This is a perfect example of what’s wrong with America, or better put, how corporate America brainwashes our population. Instead of me describing the spot, take a look at the storyboard and the spot itself.

How blatant is this messaging? The guy uses a university branded card to help him get through college, a business card for his first job, an Amazon card "scores" his girlfriend and bridges him over to his wife on a honeymoon with a Continental card. As he places his wife on the bed, she turns into their baby and a Disney card slips into his wallet. The spot ends with him fishing with the grandkids, as an AARP card falls into place.

On top of it all, that guy from Five for Fighting drops a ridiculously pathetic verse to coat Americana over the presentation:

I’m twenty-two for a moment
And she feels better than ever
And we’re on fire
Making our way back from Mars
I’m thirty-three for a moment
I’m still the man, but you see I’m a they
A kid on the way
A family on my mind
Half time goes by
Suddenly you’re wise
Another blink of an eye
Sixty-seven is gone
The sun is getting high
We’re moving on…

So, why do you think this country is so deep in debt, with the average citizen carrying $26,000 on their shoulders. Why do you think the West is perceived as materialistic and a bastion against anything indigenous?

Big corporations, banks and government have been running this game for years, and it doesn’t stop at our borders. As the stakes are raised internationally, credit cards and advertising are replaced by economic hitmen, driving up costs for foreign governments to modernize infrastructure in our never ending search for natural resources and empire building. We know that, say, a Venezuela can’t pay us (oops, I mean the World Bank) back, so once we (oops, I mean global contractors like Haliburton) entrench them in debt, we trade debt relief for a gun to the political forehead of each country. It’s simply corporate growth at any cost:

• The American citizen’s natural resources = hard earned money; once stolen, it adds to corporate and banking wealth, while reducing our ability to choose our own
  "productive" paths to fit our personal needs
• Foreign natural resources = sovereign earth resources; once stolen, it adds to
  corporate and bank wealth, reducing sovereign independence by erasing debt as a political chess piece

Did you see the Bush/Blair African debt reduction press conference the other day?

It’s all such a shell game.

Mr. Bush, Mr. Blair… since this war is much more about winning the hearts and minds from within Iraq, the Middle East and the watchful eyes of (former?) allies around the world than finding WMDs, maybe we should try a few new tactics. Well, of course I have a few ideas! I’m expecting you to take notes, but don’t worry, this won’t hurt too much.

1. Instead of placing American flags on fallen statues, roofs of buildings we occupy or on bridges we take over, etc., how about placing traditional Iraqi flags with a corresponding one that reads "freedom" in Arabic in it’s place? It promotes the idea of liberation not occupation. That is your stance, isn’t it?
2. Kill the radio broadcasts in Arabic that are making fun of Saddam. As much as these people hate him, you’re only patronizing their intelligence. It may work with Leno or Conan for our retarded American public, but it’s viewed as an insulting tactic around the world. The Arab world, specifically, gets a tad bit uptight when you make fun of an Arab leader… even if he is/was a dictator. We don’t need any more people with hate in their hearts against us. It’s a dumb move. Dumb and classless. Oh my bad, the CIA is in charge on this one… no wonder.
3. If we’re dumping billions into the war budject, we should have at least a few billions set aside to immediately move in and provide medical assistance. Temporary to begin with, perminant within a year or so. Build new, modern hospitals in strategic areas of the country in order for all people to get assistance. This, along with an irrigation system to provide fresh water throughout the country, would be the greatest investment towards the future of peace in the country.

See? That wasn’t so bad. You’re such big boys! Ok, now get out of my office and go fix the world. If you don’t no one will… right?

the world has changed.
no shit, glad you’ve woken up.
we don’t all drink from the same fountain
or even from the same cup
but if the music’s right
and the air is clear
why confuse the good times
with political matters
we fear
nothing.
at all…
because "no fear" is a fucking brand
manufactured for morons
living in a testosterone dreamland
yeah, we’re all now awake
we now have an enemy to curse and blame
but do we really understand why
"they" burn our flag and name?
no.
but who cares?
we’ll bomb ‘em till they quit.
yeah that’s a solid tactic
a top five rotation hit
now all the brands are buzzing
pulling at our patriotic strings
the marketing is subtle
yet sick and deafening
"united" is just that
ready to serve you across the land
and since they’re so "united"
they want us to go lend a helping hand
because, you see, they’re "with us"
and not just a part of our verbal psyche
but what if their name was continental?
or fuddruckers?
or nike?
brand opportunity
awareness at an all time high
higher than they used to go
when consumers weren’t afraid to fly
so come on out and support ‘em
get the business back on track
while you’re at it buy a rolex
shit, get a new cadillac
because money is all that matters
to a society built on exploitation
i wonder what "those people" would say
if we opened up actual lines of communication?
yeah right…
too late…
it’s all about annihilation.