Gruden is back with Oakland? Jeez, I'm out of touch with football. He did close the deal that (as much as I liked him) Dungy couldn't, at the time. Anyway...
Peter Jackson chose not to recap in the Ring Trilogy. Good thing, they were 3 hours long without it. I didn't go to the theater to watch them after the first one, that was a long time form start to finish. We trudge on as well.
Elon Musk was accused of manipulating the market by announcing his desire to take Tesla private. Big slap on the wrist and fines I think. Profiting off of first hand knowledge of something good or bad happening to a company. Almost doesn't seem right, does it?
Sorry, where was I? Yeah, seduction.
A byline, a Pulitzer in some cases. Important stories that change the world as we know it. Suddenly the company is relevant and advertising money comes pouring in. Raises are given, promotions and with all that...expectations to deliver.
One race in Arizona in this election cycle. Red gets no coverage. Blue is an ISIS supporter. Nutshell version. Red spends $700,000 on one message to say Blue loves ISIS. One race, one message. One time. 470 total races this cycle. Billions are being spent. With a B. For jobs that pay 175,000 and up. B and plural. Bs. Wait! That almost makes sense :)
The two things the money is being spent on is 1: why this candidate and 2: Broccoli. Or I should say, anti-broccoli. Remember, if it's good for us we don't need convincing. Bs are being spent on telling you why you should vote. McDonald's is giving away flu shot for free, Walmart, paying people. Definitely not broccoli. I am not getting into the flu shot or even vaccine debate here. Maybe later. But drug companies, I'll dip my toe in to check the temperature of the water. Why are legal drugs so high priced? To pay for the ads to convince you they are good for you despite the fast scrolling or talking disclaimers.
Andy! Elections, not drugs...focus.
So we have overachievers who work for companies that need to be profitable. The companies control the release and tone of everyday information. If you are outside the belief system of said company you will have to pay to get your message heard. Which will be funded by the same organizations that you stand against just to win. You haven't quite been seduce to the dark side yet but almost.
You win. Everyone celebrates. Morals bent but largely still intact. Thankful for the Bs that helped you win your 175k job. We need a favor. Nooo. Principles, can't help. Do you know who I am? (Hypothetical situation that stays on the drug theme. We could insert chemicals, oil, development, speed bumps[you really have to listen to SaltyTalkRadio sometimes to get all my jokes] or any other list of lobbying that is out there). We are not Hughie Lewis and the News, but we do have a new drug. Vote our way and buy stock in the company and we can supplement your income. Everyone does it. Take a bite of the apple. Itssssss deliccccious.
Insider trading is banned by the FTC if it directly effects personal gain in the stock market. Musk found out what happens when you talk about what might happen. But if you can keep your mouth shut and you stick around long enough you might do ok in the ruling class of the country.
Seduction. The press was seduced and they fell for the love affair. We know the love stricken ones that will do anything that is asked. Introduce me to your friend, baby.
Senator, this is my boyfriend XYZ Drug, a big fan of yours.
I hope I have wrapped up what I feel are some of the basic problems with our system today. There are so many more and I welcome any comments on this blog or anywhere I post it. I welcome any discussions. My next post will outline my idea, my solution to our current situation. I think as the election draws to its conclusion that there will be an opportunity for people to accept a different direction as a group. A willingness to put outrage aside to work together for a common goal of change. My solution to what we face is maybe the only analytical outcome that avoids violence, one that both sides seem to be predicting is inevitable.
My parting words for tonight (the premise and closing line completely stolen from SaltyTalkRadio and RasRadio, hope they don't mind)
We have taken, what has started out as something good and honorable, and destroyed it with complacency, corruption, and conspiracy. We allowed this to happen under our very noses. We voted harder for a class to rule over us. We voted harder for our rights to be stripped away. We voted harder for division from our fellow man. We voted harder but we never voted smarter. And that my friends, is the simple power of truth.
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