The Only Thing We Have To Fear
It's a knitting blog, but I write about a whole lot more. As a matter of fact, there's been precious little knitting recently (although I'll be posting some cool sketches from the book I'm working on - why, here's one right now...)At any rate, every now and then I have to speak out about the current political situation. I'm sickened daily by the way the mass media ignores what is up with our administration, and it's come to the place where even my Republican relatives are up to here [hand held over head] with the lies.
Slowly, slowly, I feel that our belief in ourselves as a free, open and rich society is dissolving, those who are thoughtful are quiet just when we need to be loud.
We've been lulled into a false sense of insecurity - by that I mean fear is used as a tactic to supress dissent. This is a time for us once again to hear and believe, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
I apologize in advance if some of you are bothered - I know you don't come here for political content - but it's reached the point that to not comment is a political statement in itself.
Here is something worth reading. It was sent to me in the Randi Rhodes newsletter this evening.
And here's another garment - a dress based on a 1930's silhouette. Isn't it Romantic?
13 Comments:
I love your blog, books and patterns and own mony of them. I magine if I met you I would love you too.
Here is the question that is plaguing me. I want to start by saying I am a conservative type person.
What do you suggest we do to avoid further attacks on Americans in our own country. What if we do lay off the "spying" things that some say are ubconstitutional and then another major attack happens? Isthat then the fault of the government or the fault of the country who turned down some security measures targeting people who might be involved in planning the next attack against innocent people just riding the train or going to work? I'm really not sure what the options are against an organization so sneaky and angry.
bethsmithpink@sbcglobal.net
I would answer by saying that sunlight is the best disinfectant, and that our current administration is using the threat of terrorism to do illegal things against US citizens, and it's not right.
Any wiretaps the president wanted he could have had LEGALLY, even 2 weeks after the wire tap, had he just applied for a FISA warrant. He didn't want to - he wanted his actions to remain in secret.
My personal feeling is that this administration is using the domestic spying to create a dossier on any American they disagree with, to be used later. The erroneous (and unchallenged in the mainstream media) charge that had illegal wiretaps been used before 9/11 we could have stopped the attack is absurd.
The names of two of the hijackers WERE known to the CIA, Colleen Rowley, an FBI whistleblower who tried to bring light to the fact that the gov't had access to much more about Moussaoui than they will admit, has written a very enlightening memo which you can read here: http://www.apfn.org/apfn/WTC_whistleblower1.htm
I believe that most Americans, no matter what their political stripe, want a free and open society. Unfortunately, I can't include the current administration in that group.
Those sketches are lovely. I can't wait when they are out for test knits!
Annie - I always read your blog, but have never commented. I agree so totally with your political statement.......
and I love the sketch - I love the romantic stuff from the 40's - looking forward to the book!
I know, oh do I know. It is almost impossible *not* to say something because it gets more incredible every week. The pendulum will swing back, it has to eventually but the question is will it be too late.
I just found your blog while looking for a link to refer people who visit mine to your book; I am certainly grateful to you for your courage in speaking up, and think you summed up pretty well how many thinking people are feeling about the changes taking place in a supposedly free and democratic society. Thanks, and hope you are getting a handle on your breathing (a fellow asthmatic)
I love your designs. GORGEOUS. It doesn't suck that I also agree with your political perspective.
The reality is, there is good evidence that the illegal spying on Americans was actually going on before 9/11, and it didn't stop it. They weren't spying on the terrorists, in other words.
Another question of mine is why was a Saudi prince who has met with bin Laden many times and has connections to Al Qaeda allowed to sit in the Capitol and listen to the State of the Union while a Gold Star Mother who lost her son in Iraq was ejected before the speech even started for wearing a t-shirt with the number of dead American soldiers (2242)? Where do our leaders' loyalties truly lie when they allow things like that to happen?
I hear ya, Annie. It's getting to the point that ignoring what's going on in order to keep peace is a huge political act in and of itself. You rock for speaking out!
Annie, I love your site! I have emailed you a few times for help and you have responded immediately. I use the combined method of knitting and have been churning out hats lately. 14 to be exact.
Politically..........
I agree with you 100% Annie! What really sickens me is that Bush got a second term. I do not understand how any one could have voted for him the first time. Karl Rove is the evil genius behind absolutely every thing that takes place. The news media is owned by Republicans.We read and hear only what they want us to know. I do research on the internet and I question almost everything. I will be 65 in March and I know that there has never been a more corrupt administration in the history of the United States. Our civil rights have been violated over and over and people are content to believe it is for the fight against terrorism? How can so many people be so stupid? When can you remember the audience being screened in a presidential campaign? I guess it is true that if you repeat something loud enough and enough times, people will believe what you say. The election was stolen in 2000 and again in 2004. But then I am beginning to ramble. As a law abiding citizen,we have a duty to question every thing our government does. We are not good citizens if we don't.
Nancy
Annie, your drawings are beautiful. Works of art, truly. Are they future patterns? I can't wait to see them published. Sincerely, Lissy
Loved the political comments (sorry but the romantic look isn't me!!) If it weren't for the blog world, I would think every American is pro-Bush (based on what's on the US media). Unfortunately, we've just elected Stephen Harper so the fascist link was timely. I really enjoy your blog, don't apologize for the politics - we are more than needles and yarn ;))
Annie,
Just visiting your blog for the first time! How timely! How excellent to find that the Voices we have to start using are showing up even in a knitting blog! I'm currently knitting while watching The Corporation. Rather disheartening.. as is the current political condition of our country.. BUT *YOU REMIND ME* that it is in opening our mouths, even just talking with our social circle, that the dissent, the discontent, the demand for change will start to resonate.
We have to start resonating and voicing the discontent loudly, continuously, and insistently!
I mostly feel helpless to do anything useful... but thank you for speaking out and reminding me that I just have to look for my opportunities to (for one) demand that the media NOT let up on getting to the truth! I pray that the Katrina-effect of catching them in their lies will not fade away!!
Thanks!
I am a Texan and basically conservative but I have felt a stirring in my gut that something is wrong. Actually, I see the mainstream media as anti-Bush not pro-Bush. I read and saved the link you gave and will ponder it and consider what is really going on. Something isn't right, but I am not politically saavy enough to put my finger on it. My husband is VERY conservative, so this could become interesting. I LOVE the dress design -it would be flattering on my funky body. Glad your breathing is better. I'm looking forward to more sketches.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home