Fork in the Road

Alex Ansary
February 10, 2006

Life in the busy modern world sometimes feels like flying down the expressway at 100 mph on an empty gas tank and a busted head gasket. I know it's upsetting imagery. I've been there before.  How many of you have also pondered if the ship (the United States) is going to sink sometime soon?

Regardless of how you feel about the occupation of Iraq, one detail is very apparent. More human beings are becoming increasingly aware of the world outside of their immediate environment. The standard concern: "Are we still living within a free republic or are we already living inside a dictatorship in disguise?"

This question cannot be asked repeatedly in the same manner. We live in 2006 - not 1966. The rules of engagement have changed. Thanks to the wonderful world of physics and basic logic, one can point out that there are more ways to defeat a fascist enemy besides simply marching with a peace sign, or (on the other end of extremes) organizing a violent militia with the sole purpose of violently overthrowing the current corrupted administration. Violence meets violence and once a charismatic and popular military leader takes charge, there may be nothing to stop him from enslaving the entire population. Besides, the U.S. Government has the truly advanced weaponry and anyone who fantasizes about taking down the infrastructure by force is a fool awaiting a rude awakening.

Keeping consistent with the idea of thinking with our 21st century minds instead of our 13th Century minds, it seems completely rational that we notice the sign of the apathetic times, and remind people that we are not completely powerless over running our own lives. We can truly live another way. The past few months, the mainstream and alternative media have decided to talk about the surveillance society in a manner like never before. Any doubt about the intentions of this administration should be crystal clear to anyone who is willing to do some serious investigation. The NSA has been exposed as the arm of the totalitarian state, as expected and the airports are being turned into military checkpoints. Ironically, what alarms me is the number of people who continue to:
 

a) support the systems of control

          or

b) fight the system by it's own rules

The optimists of our world say that these are the most exciting times in our lives and a new age is upon us. I agree, if that is the reality that we choose to create for ourselves. However the collective unconsciousness has been driving this busted car down the expressway to hell for a significantly long time. I cannot help but contemplate the idea that we are getting ready to enter a very dark period in our planet's history. Although I don't agree with the things that are happening (genocide, poisoning the populations, terrorism, slavery), I can't help but wonder if we are supposed to go through these 'trials and tribulations' for the sole purpose of learning from our mistakes and progressing as a society and species to the NEXT step.

Regardless of whatever religion or philosophy you subscribe to, there is something strange in our midst and the energy of hate and anger has got to go. If we intend of making a positive impact on our world we have to address this reality. I don't believe that Bush is the primary reason behind the atrocities we face. He's just another puppet dancing on a string, a front man for a larger criminal syndicate, the wrapper on the coca cola bottle. Unless we make an honest attempt to see beyond the veil, outside the box, we are in trouble. And that my friends, is no theory.