the aims of the party

Admittedly wit my Dad as the leader of the family we were skewed to be patriotically from the beginning. There have been calls to duplicate the sorta primitive patriotism lately, but seeing all these fine people on stage in Denver brings to mind one thing that in the mid seventies we were taught to do for our country - conserve.

The scouring of the planet, the putting of many $$$ in the the pockets of the families of people as anti American as Bin Laden and George Bush - we should take a new tact (sic?) and revert to saving - and more than just money and resources.

So - growing up in a cheap household, we cut corners all we could. Dad was not an Ahab type at all, but he could have fixations of a grand sort - and the ease of saving $ was one of them. So - heat was always turned down in the winter. We only got an air conditioner when the first nephew was born. There were always stows @ the foot of doors to keep out the flow of cold air. Rooms were not heated in winter to save on bills. Lights were to be turned off when you left the room. And paper, aluminum, copper, etc etc were all saved in the shed so that two to three times a year we could drop it all off @ the recycling places that were along the tracks east of Western or along the rail lines on 74th. We knew it was tie to go only when the prices for recycling went up enough. Pity this world my Dad was never even able to go to kindergarten.

What we knew to be our Dads cheapness, however, was also a bit of the countries - albeit very briefly. In 1973, when the oil crisis developed and gas lines popped up everywhere, suddenly plans for conservation of energy sprang up. It was understood that we shouldn't be so dependent on foreign energy sources - and one way to achieve that was to make the best use of what we had. Nowadays, of course, we just attack countries to secure our oil - but back to the mid seventies.

It's pretty famous - President Carter, appearing in a sweater @ the White House turning down the thermostat to whatever it was. This is the type of patriotism we should exhibit as a country again -well, one of them. Future President Obama made a great point awhile back - we should check the pressure in our tires since correct pressure will conserve gas. It needs to be remarked that McCain ridiculed him for that statement until the next day, when it was realized that it was actually McCain himself who was a fool for the statement.

For me, at least, it's easy. I actually grew up in a family that recycled, saved energy, grew our own food (a bit). We didn't own a car until about 1980. For me, at least, it's easy. Can be for everyone too.

So - what was cheap back in the day is - I feel - one of the models of patriotism that should be pushed heavy on Americans. We have so much advertisements for alchol and cigarettes, I don't feel bad for throwing patiotism some advertising dollars.
I love in California seeing efforts @ recycling. I like that my ward is one of two across th city to use the blue garbage bins for recyclables - it's been a success it seems and should be duplicated throghout the city. I like reports from Germany on their successes @ reuse. There are many more examples.

I know it's noxious, and if I grew up in Andorra, I'd be as patriotic; but I love America, and believe 101% in the people. Fuckin' awesome thing, they are. But a path of righteousness is needed. It should come up from the groundswell of the population - but in this country, too often we are lead by the fine people on stage in Denver. They will always put corporate in front of counrty - don't believe me? Like Malcom X telling us that he's gonna get the racists just by using their own exact words against them, and Jesus saying we know the goodness of the tree by the fruit it makes - look @ their voting records. Look @ times when they could have taken that patriotic path and really lead the people and make this country spin not @ 2% or 3% like they have it spinning now - but all systems on harmony, backed up in a superabundent and reduntent reserves of people power. We could very easily run this country so much better - isn'y 50% better than 2-3% ?? And we can aim always higher.

It's easy for me. I grew up in the sort of house that recycled, saved on energy costs in a variety of methods, had no car and so took a lot of CTA, had a garden. I know that that sort of lifestyle is actually very easy - and everybody should know this. I will amidt to being very disgusted that the fine people on stage in Denver have nothing to say on his subject. Easy steps can be taken, and shame on those who don't help out America will be labeled as such.

It's a deep shame it's not Malcom or Jesus or Dad are not speaking on that stage in Denver. They'd show that tue patriotism involves more than shouting down others just because they have louder voices @ their disposal.