Careless People (The Great Gatsby): Relevant today

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald

"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy — they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made…"

This will be my personal "talking point" for 06/08: Carelessness

A famous quote from a classic novel that, in my opinion, serves as a perfect description for Bush and the Republican leadership of today. Their carelessness is the vilest form of leadership and their lack of accountability is astounding. The consequences will last far beyond the current political careers of those in power now.

Short List

The carelessness of vacationing and ignoring the original memo warning Al Qaeda 'determined' to strike in the US (pre-911);

The carelessness of manipulating the intelligence in order to attack Iraq which has destroyed countless innocent Iraqi lives and cost the life's blood of over 1800 American military personnel and, ultimately, ruined the reputation of this country around the world;

The carelessness and total disregard for the lives of ordinary people in order to legislate the ultimate rewards for large corporate interests (for an example, see the 'rejected' votes on the reasonable amendments to the bankruptcy bill and the give-aways to big oil in the energy bill);

The carelessness of pushing proven scientific methods to the back burner in favor of non-science;

The carelessness of marginalizing and demonizing a minority (pick one: gays, non-Xtian, immigrants, feminists, etc) to 'divide and conquer' placing politics and self above the good of the nation;

The carelessness of asking 'others' to do the sacrificing for the greater good (personally, professionally and militarily), while no sacrifices of any kind are expected from those in power



:rant:

[The Traveler]

1. Good one.

I think you have described this malignant syndrome quite well.

[etherealtruth]

2. excellent

[OneBlueSky]

3. when carelessness becomes extreme, it's called . . .

criminal negligence . . .

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

4. True, but Carelessness is a quicker hit

Once the quick hit of the term "carelessness" is used, along with the quote from The Great Gatsby, the details and supporting evidence can be expanded upon...ultimately leading to the issue of criminality.