Kurt Vonnegut and Timequake

[The_Mule]

In seeing the awakening of the media during Katrina reporting, I'm reminded of Kurt Vonnegut's novel Timequake. In the book, the universe hiccups and everyone has to repeat the last ten years. After the ten years is up, there are disasters everywhere because people have forgotten how to use their free will. They have PTA - Post Timequake Apathy. Kurt's old character Kilgore Trout shouts at people to use their free will to no avail. However, he does finally say something that snaps people out of it:

"You have been sick, but are now well, and there's work to be done."

That's what I feel like telling the media and all of the people who have been living in apathy all these years.

We've let America become agressors in a "preemptive" war against a country who has not yet attacked us. We've been sick, but now we're well, and there's work to be done.

We've allowed tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-rich while growing the destitute and hopeless underclass. The same underclass that feels about the same desperation both before and after a hurricane. The same underclass ready to pick up a gun for survival. We've been sick...

We've allow a few power-mad fanatics to seize control of our government and loot our treasury for their own gain, while innocents are killed in an unneccesary war. ...there's work to be done.

We've allowed our government to ignore warnings of global warming and ecological disasters such as the one we are currently facing. ...now we're well, and there's work to be done.

The media have forgotten their free will in being able to ask the questions that hold those in power accountable. You've been sick, but now you're well, and there's work to be done.

I, for one, am ready to search and destroy any apathy remaining in me. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves even further to take back my country and convince those suffering from apathy to do the same. There's work to be done.

Mule

[Why Syzygy]

1. This is what is disturbing me

So much focus on negativity. We have a monkey running the country. Won't deny it. But WE ARE HUMAN! We are well. These freaks cannot destroy our HUMAN spirit.

So sick of disaster after disaster. Thanks.

[emald]

2. kurts an old friend

and his words ring true as you say.
I too am ready to get to work but we have to get the bastards out of the way.
I can't believe what my government has become.

[The_Mule]

3. Getting the bastards out of the way

is part of the work we have to do.