posted August 14, 2007 01:25 AM         

She's a grand old flag, but I don't think it's appropriate, with all that we've invested in patriotism only to be disappointed by our leaders, to go into all of the usual imagery and rhetoric. Instead, let me once and for all dispel any doubt at all about how I feel for the lovely land in which I was born:

I breath this air..and feel the sense of hope that our Founding Documents strained, through the bickering of a room full of representatives, to capture..in perpetuity for us all.
For always..that's what that's supposed to mean, but it isn't working out that way. It's fast becoming a fading memory as the greed and self indulgence of unbridled capitalism turn our world into a cold, efficient..limited-liability place in which to live.

That capitalism which does not respect the bounds of human dignity or the idea of common advancement, that sort of capitalism is a blight upon the face of our history which rewards the least concerned with our common welfare.

You cannot look your brother in the eye and tell him, that you broke his back and sucked him dry for his own good. It just doesn't pan out.

This breed of capitalism is the enemy of the land and the people into whom I invest a great deal of my thought and love..every day.

That said, it seemed appropriate to point out (quite possibly inducing redundancy nausea in some of you astrology buffs) that our country, the United States of America, is a Cancer..born on the 4th of July.

Now, to the best of my recollection, the following things are true about many Cancer folks.

Cancer folks are:

- Very conscious of finances and in some cases, almost obsessive about money matters and saving a buck. (Until it's time to party...or the food is good.)

- Extremely security conscious, to the point of paranoia in some cases. Cancer folks often assume the worst is going to happen. With their very vivid imaginings..they often blow things out of proportion.

- Focused around home and family. (anything for the children!)

- Loyal to their family beyond all loyalty..to the point of stupidity sometimes.

- Often imperialistic in their concern for the affairs of others. They frequently butt-in when they feel there is a problem, invited or not. This is particularly true if they feel it will affect the overall security of a situation.

- Very concerned with nurturing others..especially the weak. (But usually in their own way and on their own terms.)

- Very sensitive to criticism..they tend to withdraw or become defensive when faced with their own faults.

- Perpetually trying to resolve the fact that they are neither an adult..nor are they quite a child. In many cases, they are a child, in an adult's body, trying to act like an adult.

(and I suppose the list will expand as momentum moves forward. Feel free to add your own.)

That's all I remember for now, of how Cancer people (and perhaps the people of Cancer countries) are..except for this:

I remember reading, that the Cancer person's lessons in life are to learn:

- That money isn't nearly as important as all of the people you miss when you have lots of money, and no one who you can really trust..no one who you can really count on, that isn't looking at all of the money you have.

- To let go, and trust that things will work out for the best in the end..no matter how scary they get.

- That family isn't a box on the map with a roof, nor a blood tie, but a place in your heart and the people that treat you like family.

- That things can resolve themselves..and they won't always blow up in your face..just sometimes.

- That to truly nurture..you must give without expecting anything in return. Not even obligation bred of gratitude. Cancer people must learn to give for giving alone, not for control as well.

- That facing SOME criticism objectively, painful though it may be, can provide perspective that helps us each to grow as human beings.

- That people who are TRULY grown up..and children..have a lot in common.

daf

posted September 25, 2007 11:34 PM         

artlovesdawn; i am frightened to imagine what or how other countries view the united states right now. i myself feel embarrassed by the way we seem in the media. i guess this is where others receive information about us best. contradictary feelings: admiration, fear and jealousy are most likely an accurate asumption to others view of the usa, i like the way you portrayed this.