Just checking in on you folks to see how you’re faring during this … well, what would you call this odd period of time in our country? I guess how you personally define it would determine how well you’re actually doing, or vice versa.
If you’re extremely wealthy you probably think everything is just dandy.
And if you’re reverently just sitting there waiting to be snatched up in a twinkling of an eye, it must be difficult for you to contain your gleeful elation as we spiral downward toward those glorious “end times.”
But if neither of these two categories fit, you just might be one of those getting a little frustrated and confused right now, and feeling a bit overwhelmed.
If so, I want to caution you about something called “outrage fatigue,” or “OF Syndrome”.
OF Syndrome is caused by an overloading of the outrage senses to the point of fatigue and subsequent shutdown.
Outbreaks of this malady have occurred throughout human history, a result of a variety of varying circumstances, but it’s only been relatively recently that it’s usefulness in controlling the masses was discovered by those seeking that control.
It was in fact OF Syndrome that ultimately allowed 1930’s Germany to decay into that nationalistic dark void. The German people were intentionally and systematically subjected to an ever-increasing series of outrages, all rationalized by the “Big Lie” technique, until they could no longer maintain any sense of indignation or moral clarity, and numbly succumbed.
And though you may wince at the comparison, the infliction of OF Syndrome on the people of the United States is part of the Bush Cabal plan right now. They are, and have been, attempting to overwhelm the average citizen to the point of shutdown.
For example: much of the nuclear sabre rattling about Iran, skyrocketing oil and gas prices, the entire Iraq fiasco, Katrina, the decimation of environmental rules and regulations, the torture of detainees, electronic voting scandals, an out-of-control (and soon-to-be-devastating) national debt, illegal wiretapping and spying, and the sneeringly dismissive “so what do you mere peons think you’re going to do about it anyway” attitude of this administration and its operatives … all of it is designed to generate a certain amount of OF Syndrome, inducing the majority of us to simply give up and accept whatever the Cabal is determined to do.
Can’t you feel it gnawing at you, that sense of mental exhaustion creeping in? The desire to focus what energy you have elsewhere and block it all out? I know I do. I fight it every single day, sometimes several times a day.
But we can’t succumb and zone out simply because it would be more expedient to do so. That would be exactly what they want you to do. Staying somewhat focused is the “price of admission” we all must pay to participate in this democratic drama.
So don’t allow yourself to suppress the outrage, or even any minor irritation you might experience. Howl, scream, stomp about in a huff; go outside and tear through the woods like a banshee; break something you don’t need anymore; take turns ranting to a friend or spouse — do whatever you can to exercise/exorcise that resentment and frustration, and to recoup your psychological and emotional balance.
Then calmly return to doing what a responsible citizen is supposed to do — paying attention to what they’re really up to (as best you can) and demanding accountability (when and where you can).
Trust me, you’ll feel much better in the long run if you do.
— Kerry Tomasi
Montezuma
Flashpoint
Flashpoint: For country’s sake, fight through your outrage fatigue
- Flashpoint
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FLASHPOINT: Is this really the best we can do?
As you know if you pay attention to national affairs, the United States faces a perfect fiscal storm at the end of this year.
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FLASHPOINT:Bipartisan vs. Nonpartisan
During the primary election season there was much discussion regarding whether bipartisanship is a positive or negative attribute as it relates to the work of the United States Congress.
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FLASHPOINT: School libraries essential for reading achievement
If the situation were not so serious, it would be laughable. How can we improve reading achievement if we make it more difficult to put books in the hands of our children?
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FLASHPOINT: Lugar warns of 'unrelenting partisan mindset'
I would like to comment on the Senate race just concluded and the direction of American politics and the Republican Party.
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FLASHPOINT: Is money a problem in politics? Depends on where you sit
The role of money in politics needs to be better understood. Does it make the political system work better, or is it a problem — and if so, how much of one?
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FLASHPOINT: ‘Private’ clubs should be exempt from smoking bans
Over the past several years I have watched the Vigo County Council, followed by the City Council, and lastly the legislature of the great state of Indiana, wrestle with a smoking ban.
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FLASHPOINT: Downtown developers should share more details on project
With all of the opinions being expressed about the fate of the 500 block of Wabash Avenue, one element is sorely missing: the details.
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FLASHPOINT: Be careful when making accusations of ‘racism’
Perhaps, in a way that he doesn’t understand, Attorney General Eric Holder is correct in accusing America of being cowardly about discussing issues of race.
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FLASHPOINT: Historic hotel demolition was shameful day for Terre Haute
In an April 13 article on the potential demolition of historic buildings at Fifth and Wabash for student housing, Mike Ellis says, “I love the old historic buildings and have always had a passion to see them saved and restored. I was an opponent of seeing the Terre Haute House come down and the new hotel go up,” he said. “I have been proven wrong with what that would do for Terre Haute.”
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FLASHPOINT: Notes on saving structural history
There are several reasons why the historic buildings adjacent and west of Roger’s Jewelers should be saved, and why our downtown needs to protect and embrace our remaining historic fabric. First and foremost, rehab and reuse saves our historic buildings for future generations to experience, and the more architectural authenticity our downtown preserves, the more admired and “walkable” it will become.
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FLASHPOINT: Can anyone hear the call from Farrington's Grove
On Friday, March 30, a dear friend was brutally attacked in broad daylight in an alley in the neighborhood I grew up in, on the edge of Farrington’s Grove.
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FLASHPOINT: We have the power to co-exist without violence or prejudice
Innumerable forces in our lives, and throughout our society, seem to have convinced us that immediacy is best. We have to do it now. We have to have it now. We must go there now. We need it now!
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FLASHPOINT: Issue surrounding Florida shooting fueled by race
I am writing as a mother and as president of the Terre Haute branch of the NAACP because there may be some who wonder why the shooting of Trayvon Martin has created such an uproar: “What exactly is the issue?”
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FLASHPOINT: Indiana — open for business
With the 2012 legislative session in the rearview mirror, the two-year work of the 117th General Assembly elected in November of 2010 is complete.
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FLASHPOINT: The Constitutional challenge to the Affordable Care Act
On March 26, the United States Supreme Court will begin three days of hearings with six hours of oral argument on the constitutional challenge filed by Indiana and 25 other states against certain sections of the federal health care law: the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often referred to as “Obamacare.” This historic lawsuit will explore the limits of the power of Congress under the U.S. Constitution.
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FLASHPOINT: The burning questions of ‘Fahrenheit 451’
“Remember the firemen are rarely necessary. The public stopped reading of its own accord.” — Ray Bradbury, “Fahrenheit 451”
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FLASHPOINT: Wonderful place to be during a very hard time
University Hospital (Indianapolis), part of IU Health Group, is a wonderful place to be if you are seriously ill.
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FLASHPOINT: America’s energy brings America jobs
The increase in fuel prices affects many aspects of our daily lives.
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FLASHPOINT: Change coming to the Indiana Statehouse
The General Assembly is about to undergo a major face-lift. I’m not talking about new construction. I’m talking about destruction — partisan destruction, in fact.
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FLASHPOINT: White House rejects Keystone XL: Sad day for U.S. workers
Imagine a project that could create 20,000 American jobs during construction, and as many as half a million longer-term positions.
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FLASHPOINT: Graduation rates are up; great news for Indiana
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride.
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FLASHPOINT: Tech trail leading us into a dense, digital forest
It seems the Southwest Parke schools are the latest to play the laptop lottery game.
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FLASHPOINT: Republicans enable war on middle class, unions
About six years ago at the pinnacle of the Bush/GOP Dictatorship, I began telling you that the wealthy and Corporate America were laying the ground work to politically, financially and physically take over America.
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FLASHPOINT: Howey ignores truth to advance his agenda
Brian Howey’s Jan. 8 column about the U.S. Senate race proves once again that he will not allow the facts or journalistic ethics to get in the way of attacking Richard Mourdock and promoting his chosen candidate, Dick Lugar.
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FLASHPOINT: Putting fairness first
This time of year, with chords of Auld Lang Syne still ringing in our ears, it’s not uncommon or unnatural to think of days gone by as being more desirable than the era we live in today.
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FLASHPOINT: What really motivates right-to-work proposal?
You may have heard about the upcoming “right-to-work” legislation before our lawmakers in the next session of “law making.”
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FLASHPOINT: The right-to-work debate: ‘Devil at Our Doorstep’
As the 2012 Indiana Legislative Assembly convenes, January will represent a tipping point for all Hoosiers’ individual freedoms as politicians and Big Labor draw battle lines to determine if Indiana will become the 23rd right-to-work state.
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FLASHPOINT: State’s House Democrats will offer alternative for job creation
As the leaders of single-party control in state government outline their agendas for the 2012 session of the Indiana General Assembly, it is easy to be cynical about their intentions in the months to come.
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FLASHPOINT: Community colleges must lead way in reshaping higher education
In the 1970s, I began what was three decades in the automotive industry. ... Today, in my position as president of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, I see higher education confronted with some of these same challenges.
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FLASHPOINT: There’s little right about ‘right to work’ proposal
The danger contained in these three simple words – “Right to Work” — is that they sound so innocent.
- More Flashpoint Headlines
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FLASHPOINT: Is this really the best we can do?
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