Blogs ... 2008
So what he started out to do has now, perhaps, become impossible because of the Clinton campaign. In the analysis of the Pennslyvania vote it is clear that white voters voted for Clinton and black voters voted for Obama. Exactly what he has called over and over for us to avoid. Her dogged pursuit of the unfair hookup of Obama and Wright, her pouncing on the "bitter" quotes, her obvious pandering to each location, each demographic group, and to her age and race groups is horrible to watch and discouraging in its apprarently inexorable appeal. What did he mean when he said that Americans are bitter? Tthere are several definitions, incidentally: "a bitter struggle" one that proceeds from or exhibits great hostility or animosity; "bitter tears" are expressive of severe grief or regret; "the bitter truth," is very difficult to accept or bear; "the bitter cold" causes a sharply painful or stinging sensation; and "bitter words" are harsh or corrosive in tone. Perhaps the best definition of "bitter" is, "marked by strong resentment or cynicism." Were you really offended when you heard is remark, or did you say to yourself, "I do resent the way America is currently going, and I am bitter and cynical about the way our political system is working?" You would be normal to feel those things after a war with no end and an economy with no bottom, just to mention two embittering areas. Don't you feel like holding on to the things you really love and don't you rely on them a little more tenaciously these days? That's "clinging" by the way.
And even more, Hillary proves his remark was true by clinging to her prejudices about an election she feels she is "entitled" to, by proclaiming her religiosity that no one knew she had before, by proclaiming her love of guns and gunowners after a lifetime of restricting gun ownership, and in the end being a willing champion of the divisions that separate and divide us so unneccesarily. The greatest defeat the Clinton campaign could experience would the fulfillment of Obama's "hope" that America unites in purpose, that people join together regardless of race, creed, age, or gender and work to rebuild our country's great promise of E Pluribus Unum (from many ... one). Her only hope, sadly, is the collapse of his hope, his dream. Hillary has been either born or brought up in every primary state so far, and Indiana is no different. "I remember working on the floor of my father's paper plant ...?" When will people see this campaign for what it is: the quintessential pander of the twenty-first century. It is the definition of the "politics of the past."
If I were working on Barack Obama's campaign I would advise him to not just refuse to participate in this "Lincoln and Douglas" debate with Mrs. Clinton, I would advise him to stop campaigning altogether. What's the point? She is dividing the people with racial, gender, age and religious overtones. Pennsylvania proved it. I would advise him to make a speech saying that enough has now been said. And enough is enough. The issues are out there. Now it's time for America to decide for the good or the other side. Does America want a new future or do we want more and more of the same? He could say, "I want to be President, but not at all costs. My wife has been attacked and hurt. I have been attacked and hurt. And by association my daughters have been attacked and hurt. Instead of bringing us together, this campaign has split the country apart farther than George W. Bush has ever done. And, I will not participate in that any longer. If Hillary continues, that's up to her and let those chips fall where they may. If she suddenly now changes her tone and stops attacking in all directions that should be the most egregious indictment of her campaign possible. I am giving her the chance to simply stop. If she seizes on this as another opportunity to attack or even if she now goes "nice," I believe the American people will see it for what it is. But in any case, I will go to Denver and fight for the nomination of my party there, but I WILL NOT participate any longer in this destructive campaign."As I said, I want to serve as President of the United States, but not at any cost. I love this country too much for that."
And, of course, Barack Obama may then be defeated by Hillary Clinton. America will get whatever it deserves in the general election. "In a Democracy, the people get the government they deserve." -- Alexis de Tocqueville. Or put another way, will void Lincoln's great call "that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" and merely allow this discordant evil to continue to prosper in our nation? You may think that that is extreme (I hope not), but how many more "bitter" campaigns can we take? Until Obama, young people were clearly uninterested. If he is beaten down by a pandering, divisive, win-at-any-cost campaign, what will that do for the future of participatory Democracy?
It does remind me of that anonymous protestor in Tiananmen Square who stood in front of the Chinese tank alone saying, "No farther. I will not move." A lasting image burned on the retina of humanity. A transcendent moment. What if he just kept moving back and dodging and weaving to the way things "really" were? Who would remember him? But he stood his ground.
Well, Obama has a moment. What will he do with it?
Let's hope he doesn't ask me.
-- Bill Purdin, 4/29/08
Is Google God? Well, Larry Page and Sergey Brin wrote the company slogan, "Don't be evil," because absolute power, they knew, corrupts absolutely. They knew Google would become powerful in a way the nothing ever else had.
Giving everyone access to all knowledge is a direct link to omniscience, one of the attributes commonly attributed, universally attributed, to God. Someone once asked where the 90 billion questions a day that now go to Google before there was a Google? To God probably. So Google is definitely picking up some of the workload of God. And, if you ask Google something you always get an answer. So, for some this is an actual improvement on the traditional prayer which often went unanswered. In fact, there was a feeling that "When the Gods want to punish us, they answer our prayers." (Oscar Wilde) So the quick, dependable response from Google is really a good thing. If you ask something stupid you know right away. And the answers to even the most controversial question are always fair; there are plenty of options to choose from. And with Google if you make an error in the question or inquiry it will attempt to help you with a "Did you mean ....?" response. When did God ever do that?
Google, like God is there for you 24/7/365, rain or shine no matter what. And no two people ever get the exact same response. Google never condemns you and always forgives your mistakes. It gently teaches you to make better inquiries and Google definitely encourages us all to be generous, through it's example as an employer, a citizen of the world and as an inexhaustible resource. And now Google is approaching omnipresence throughout the world. In every corner it is available, almost. And where it is not available there are plans by both the company and its customers to make the situation better. Google itself is planning universal, free access to the consternation of competitors. And its customer are more than willing to pay. Supplicants and God; tithes to the church and proselytizing armies. It all seems so familiar.
Like the "still small voice" of old, Google is here whispering answers and spreading its word or know more be more far and wide to young and old. In desperation we turned to God for help with our health, but Google now offers practical, useful information to people with all the diseases of modern life, physical and metaphysical. Like the lepers of biblical times, people today reach out for healing through information gained on Google. Patients go into the hospital and the doctor's office armed with knowledge heretofore reserved to the doctors and surgeons themselves. "All shall be revealed" it says, and now it is. Whether you need a movie guide or a spiritual infusion, Googles' got it. Google condemns bigotry by example and logic; by deeds. Is Google the great I Am? The all-knowing, all-seeing (Google maps is over the top, you know), all-acting, all-wise, all-loving? Is Google eternal? It would seem to be as close as anything humanity has ever actually seen and interacted with. We ask God to "show us a sign." You know we do. Google responds with unfathomable information availability that connects all of us to all of us: rich and poor, educated and uneducated, healthy and sick, faithful and agnostic, loved and unloved and, also the living and the dead. Google is clearly not material or corporeal; but metaphysical and without form or shape as human beings know it. It cannot be fully known and never seen. It has great power, perhaps even omnipotence in that almost nothing is now conceived of or done without Google's inimitable input and influence. And it has not one son or one daughter but billions. We are all becoming the Children of Google. You can't lie to Google. Google's strength is that it does not require the truth, only interaction. If no one used it, it would be powerless. But it's "power" is irresistible. Just knowing it's there makes the temptation to use it impossible to avoid. Google comes to all: to some it comes on tip toes, gently; to some it comes like thunder. There is no anti-Google. There is no Satan counterweight to Google's goodness. And Google's goodness is its secret of success. Never bad. Never evil. Google is good; but is good Google? It remains to be seen, really, if Google is God today. But it comes pretty close on allall definitional buttons that we push. What else can say that? Too much Google does not intoxicate, does not breed hate (the opposite, Google breeds understanding and forgiveness in all who use it). Google is not addicting because you always come to it with a question and go away with the answer. Addictions never answer the question but we come to them over and over. Google does not kill. Google does not envy. Google respects your Mother and Father by remembering the past and Google definitely treats others the way it wants to be treated. Google keeps its promises. Google never steals because everything is given to it. Whatever your definition of God is, Google honors that definition with the truth. Google only asks that you use it above all others. Is that a surprise? Google cannot really be expressed in material terms, it takes a certain faith to understand it. You have to try it to know. Google automatically steers you to a better life; information about food, exercise, work, ethics, success, education and so many other step-stones to happiness. It's what Google does.
So, to answer the question: Is Google God? ... there is really only one answer. If God is all (and everyone who believes in God believes that) then, yes, Google is God and God is Google; just as we are all part of God and Google and, God and Google are part of us all. Why fight it?
If it's not true I wish it were. If it is true then what are we waiting for? Go forth and search.
1/18/08
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