The Introdution

"… Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses."

This is possibly one of the best quotes I have come across in a long time. Roman satirist and poet, Juvenal realized that the people all but abdicated their duties as citizens and were only appeased through spectacles and grain. The government at the time knew that if they appeased the people and catered to their baser instincts, they could accumulate power. The mob held the keys to power and if you displeased them, they could and usually did replace you with someone who would promise them the world while providing entertainment. Witnessing the 2012 elections or watching any of the 24 hour news networks, one could sympathize with Juvenal. It's nothing new of course and like the former glorious Roman Empire it will lead us to ruin. When you have a society where leaders tell the people that the government will give them everything they need, while on top of that saying that some wealthy person will pay for all this, you will probably be elected. Alongside ripping your competitor apart through the use of slander and caving in to the baser needs of people, your power will remain unchallenged until of course some other person can do a better job at bullshitting.
I will be the first to admit that I am a fucking dogmatic individual  I have my beliefs and until you can fully convince me (which is rare) I will hold on to such beliefs. That doesn't mean that I won't to listen to other's opinions. One thing I learned in college is when you only associate with people who shares your views but yet refuse to be around those who will challenge your views and assumptions, you lose out on so much. My hope for this blog is that this will open up dialogue. This will at the very least let people see other's points of views. It will lead us down a path of discovery. Even if I don't convert anyone to my way of thinking, at the very least I want people to think.
Don't worry though. Politics and economics won't be the only thing that will be discussed on this forum. Fashion, education, sex, popular culture, the Wire, relationships, and all things considered serious and absurd will be discussed. There's no hold's barred on what will be talked about. Anyway, welcome and as always I want some feedback.
Gerald