There should be no honors for the TRAITORS who waged armed rebellion against the United States, one of the two definitions of TREASON in the U.S. Constitution.
This does not mean we do not remember history.
The revolutionaries who founded our democratic republic tore down the statue of King George III and others. Does that mean we don’t remember history? Does that mean we don’t remember King George III? Does that mean we do not know who won the Revolutionary War?
There are no statues of Adolph Hitler in Germany, yet they remember who he was and the devastation he wrought, in history book and Holocaust museums. The Jewish people, who make up the biggest cohort of his victims, even remind us that we must NEVER FORGET. Yes, we remember, but not with statues.
We have museums and history books in which to remember the villains.
Would an underlying state of economic equality stop discrimination? Doubtful: That “pedestal” extends down to the bedrock of human tribal society, maybe even further to the predator / prey relationship of “lower” animals. Isn’t Business a sublimation of that relationship? Isn’t modern Commerce dependent on latent jealousy and covetousness of our neighbors’ goods?
The basic theme of animal life may be “to eat and / or be eaten”? Earth might be referenced in the “Encyclopedia Galactica” as a predator-prey planet. However, that mode within evolution is now dangerous for the human species. Humans’ ability to cause great harm through nuclear weaponry was bad enough; but now there is the specter of climate change and environmental degradation.
Too many people within a society may at some point overload its equilibrium. Calhoun, in reporting his studies of mice and rats, claims to demonstrate the bizarre and deadly results when natural processes within an overloaded population are stressed — an artificial “behavioral sink” (q.v.) And that was with only one species each of rodents. Although humans are one species, their differing cultures and values (and appearances) can be a mutual irritant within a closed space. With the further nudge of false rumors, the results may go beyond irritation, into violence.
It was thought that communications media would combine societies into a “global village.” Well, the Internet has done that to a large extent. But is the result benign? Misleading information, propaganda, and purposeful lies spread like social diseases, instead. As a result, I believe, the health of human society is rapidly degrading.
We have a perfect storm of overpopulation, incipient climate change, environmental degradation, and malignant propaganda that comprise a poisonous miasma that will, I think, eventually bring humanity’s downfall. No species lasts long in its initial form, and humanity needs to change its base behaviors to survive.
@JFB Ever wonder what the size of those Wendy’s paychecks were before the fire? Remember, those were “essential workers” who were expected to be out there on the front lines, interacting with hundreds of people a day under spectacularly uncontrolled conditions, so you’d think that their pay would be commensurate with that, wouldn’t you? What!? You say it’s not!!!??? Hmmm, maybe there’s something to that “economic inequality” thing after all.
Actually, looking at our collective history, it’s quite amazing that we’re still holding together. Having said that, we may be facing our greatest challenge to date – on multiple fronts no less.
I wish more political cartoonists would play on this Economic Inequality theme more often. It is a ever-growing cancer on society affecting women & men of all races. This current, on-going “Gig Economy” is condemning millions of people who have an education, and want to work, to poverty.
Concretionist almost 4 years ago
Heavier AND a lot harder to pull apart.
DD Wiz Premium Member almost 4 years ago
There should be no honors for the TRAITORS who waged armed rebellion against the United States, one of the two definitions of TREASON in the U.S. Constitution.
This does not mean we do not remember history.
The revolutionaries who founded our democratic republic tore down the statue of King George III and others. Does that mean we don’t remember history? Does that mean we don’t remember King George III? Does that mean we do not know who won the Revolutionary War?
There are no statues of Adolph Hitler in Germany, yet they remember who he was and the devastation he wrought, in history book and Holocaust museums. The Jewish people, who make up the biggest cohort of his victims, even remind us that we must NEVER FORGET. Yes, we remember, but not with statues.
We have museums and history books in which to remember the villains.
They do not belong, literally, on pedestals.
Dtroutma almost 4 years ago
History’s a real bitch.
Radish the wordsmith almost 4 years ago
Trump’s base carries that weight, all they have to do to lift it is to change their minds.
GreggW Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Establishment Democrats would prefer that you just think about the statue.
The Love of Money is . . . almost 4 years ago
PEDESTAL (Noun) The supporting column or BASE of a washbasin or TOILET PAN.
PraiseofFolly almost 4 years ago
Would an underlying state of economic equality stop discrimination? Doubtful: That “pedestal” extends down to the bedrock of human tribal society, maybe even further to the predator / prey relationship of “lower” animals. Isn’t Business a sublimation of that relationship? Isn’t modern Commerce dependent on latent jealousy and covetousness of our neighbors’ goods?
The basic theme of animal life may be “to eat and / or be eaten”? Earth might be referenced in the “Encyclopedia Galactica” as a predator-prey planet. However, that mode within evolution is now dangerous for the human species. Humans’ ability to cause great harm through nuclear weaponry was bad enough; but now there is the specter of climate change and environmental degradation.
Too many people within a society may at some point overload its equilibrium. Calhoun, in reporting his studies of mice and rats, claims to demonstrate the bizarre and deadly results when natural processes within an overloaded population are stressed — an artificial “behavioral sink” (q.v.) And that was with only one species each of rodents. Although humans are one species, their differing cultures and values (and appearances) can be a mutual irritant within a closed space. With the further nudge of false rumors, the results may go beyond irritation, into violence.
It was thought that communications media would combine societies into a “global village.” Well, the Internet has done that to a large extent. But is the result benign? Misleading information, propaganda, and purposeful lies spread like social diseases, instead. As a result, I believe, the health of human society is rapidly degrading.
We have a perfect storm of overpopulation, incipient climate change, environmental degradation, and malignant propaganda that comprise a poisonous miasma that will, I think, eventually bring humanity’s downfall. No species lasts long in its initial form, and humanity needs to change its base behaviors to survive.
gopher gofer almost 4 years ago
tear them down…
artegal almost 4 years ago
It’s a “plinth,” not a pedestal.
Bookworm almost 4 years ago
Economic Inequality is one of the cornerstones of our system. “Greed is Good.” You know, all that “trickle down” stuff. /TS
Richard S Russell Premium Member almost 4 years ago
@JFB Ever wonder what the size of those Wendy’s paychecks were before the fire? Remember, those were “essential workers” who were expected to be out there on the front lines, interacting with hundreds of people a day under spectacularly uncontrolled conditions, so you’d think that their pay would be commensurate with that, wouldn’t you? What!? You say it’s not!!!??? Hmmm, maybe there’s something to that “economic inequality” thing after all.
mourdac Premium Member almost 4 years ago
MLK was beginning to work on the base of economic equality when he was cut down.
yimhere almost 4 years ago
Actually, looking at our collective history, it’s quite amazing that we’re still holding together. Having said that, we may be facing our greatest challenge to date – on multiple fronts no less.
moosemin almost 4 years ago
I wish more political cartoonists would play on this Economic Inequality theme more often. It is a ever-growing cancer on society affecting women & men of all races. This current, on-going “Gig Economy” is condemning millions of people who have an education, and want to work, to poverty.