Monday, September 4. William Shakespeare's Thought For Labor Day:

[Aristus]

"Behold, these are the tongues o' th' common mouth!"

Coriolanus, Act III, Scene 1, Lines 21-22.

[Book Lover]

1. Great picture!

May I ask what the context is? Do you know what year this was taken?

[speedoo]

2. You know, that makes me sad.

Does corporate greed and power make it impossible for a true union movement today, or do we need another Depression to wake this country up?

[Aristus]

4. I think it will take another Depression.

Nothing short of a similar economic calamity will make people wake up and realize the value of labor.

[speedoo]

7. I am more concerned that too many Americans just don't care.

How else could * have been re-elected after starting an illegal war based on lies?

Americans don't care about Iraq because there is no draft and they don't see the body bags coming home as they did from Vietnam. As long as Americans can pay their bills and live their lives, they don't care what their government does.

I am deeply troubled about my country.

[u4ic]

11. Or

they have been brainwashed into the cult of the individual? My needs are paramount, no one else matters? :shrug:

If you don't care about your fellow human beings, there is no solidarity.

[speedoo]

13. Yes

I do believe that most Americans feel, as you put it, that their individual needs are paramount, almost to the point that nothing else matters. And I certainly agree that there can be no solidarity without people caring for one another.

The brainwashing you refer to has been going on since the 50's, which is when I believe America became essentially a super-materialistic society. Certainly I was brainwashed and even though I consider myself a liberal, much of my adult life has been consumed with the pursuit of materialistic goals.

But somehow I never went over the cliff as so many have, throwing everything else aside, including caring for others, in that pursuit. I had decent and loving parents who taught me some good things.

The only shred of hope that I have for America is that we have seen the pendulum swing as far as it can in this direction.

My apologies to Aristus, by the way, for going off on this tangent.

[Aristus]

14. No apologies necessary, speedoo.

If we can't discuss things, then what's the point? :-)

[speedoo]

15. Thanks, Aristus.

You're right, there is no point, if we can't discuss things here.

And thanks for for your terrific work with old Bill's stuff. I enjoy it very much, although I've never said so before.:thumbsup:

[Aristus]

16. Thank you.

It's fun. B-)

[Aristus]

3. A strike by General Motors workers in 1937.

As a result of the three-month strike, the United Auto Workers won the exclusive right to bargain collectively for the workers.

Remember, this was in the day when corporate owners would hire thugs to pummle striking workers. A victory for labor was a rare and wonderful thing.

[speedoo]

5. True, but victories for workers are rare these days too.

Aren't they?

Corporate owners have different ways to deal with pesky workers today. They just move the jobs to India.

[Aristus]

6. Yes, that's true.

What we might be able to hope for is that workers in outsourcing paradises like India will start organizing as well. Once the price of labor in third-world countries begins to rise, corporations might be more willing to keep jobs here. Highly unlikely, I know, but hope springs eternal...

[speedoo]

10. I envy your optimism.

Mine has run out, unfortunately.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear Aristus!

This is up to your excellent standards, as usual, sweetie!

I never cease to be amazed at your creativity.......

What a guy! :loveya:


Thank you for today....and for every day.........:hug:

[Aristus]

9. Good Labor Day to you, CalPeg!

:hug:

Thanks for being here. B-)

[u4ic]

12. Very fitting!

Happy Labour Day! :toast: