The American Spectator

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Cry Me a River

9.29.05 @ 12:01AM

WEEPING FOR DOLLARS
Re: George Neumayr's The Crying Game:

Since the United States is a nation of victims, and over half is taking medication for one mental disorder or another, it goes to show the rest of the people who are at least somewhat sane and not a victim of something that pity pays big bucks. It's like a child who cries and looks up to an adult with those big pitiful teary eyes and quivering lips; who can say no to such a pitiful scene? The only twist to this is that adults have now perfected this on demand emotion.

This nation has turned into a nation of jelly-kneed whining wimps, on-call clinical psychologists, 24-hour pharmacies, and crisis centers. There was a time when Americans were tough, independent, hard charging, and possessed of nothing-is-going-to-stop-me mentality, but now that Americans realize that, "Hey, this crying have pity on me thing, really does pay big bucks." The bigger the tears, the bigger the payday is now the rule of the day. Former vice Presidential candidate John Edwards from North Carolina has perfected the, "doe-eyed stare" to such a fine art there is no jury in this country that could refuse such an expression of emotional anguish, and it has paid handsomely.

Look at the Katrina soap opera; it was a complete open field to see mainstream media trying to out-victimize each other. One reporter would say that there was sporadic looting, then a different reporter would report all of downtown New Orleans was on fire, and at least 10,000 dead were stacked like cord wood along the boulevards, and then the next reporter would further report that babies who took refuge in the Super Dome were being ravaged by rapists. It is as if they were monitoring each others' broadcasts, playing the game of victimization one-upmanship.

Fox News reporters Shepard Smith and Geraldo Rivera were laying the crocodile tears on so thick that the viewers just needed to go to the bathroom and wretch from the pathetic made-for-TV emotions. "General Hospital" couldn't have even made this stuff up. But, we must remember that it's all about TV ratings and TV ratings mean big money.

Madison Avenue, drug manufacturers, clinical psychologists and the media have turned a private emotion into a billion dollar a year industry. Excuse me; my palm pilot is reminding me to take my Prozac now.
-- Melvin L. Leppla
Jacksonville, North Carolina

The scenario of these Louisiana crooks and dysfunctional politicians should get the attention of Mel Brooks who might be able to fashion a very funny movie from their shenanigans. The title could be "Criers Are Liars" or maybe "Louisiana Lullaby."
-- Howard Lohmuller
Seabrook, Texas

Mr. Broussard's version of the tragedy would make a better movie. Maybe in the movie version, Sean Penn will get there in time. Condi Rice will be giving music lessons to President Bush who couldn't help because he needed more practice on his fiddle.
-- Danny Newton

IF YOU WANT IT, COME AND GET IT
Re: Ralph R. Reiland's A Flow of Free Money:

Let's see. The Federal Government passes out debit cards for $2000 to persons displaced by Katrina and we are (what? shocked, surprised, indignant?) that some of this money found its way into the Louis Vuitton store and/or Houston strip clubs? I would have been shocked if these things hadn't happened. Given the caliber of the recipients, what did we think they were going to do with the money? Buy groceries? I wonder how many of those cards were swapped on the street corner for crack, nose candy, or smack?
-- Keith Kunzler
Arnold, Missouri

Rather than $250 billion, we should give Louisiana a couple of trucks full of beads. They seem to want the things, and we would get flashed for years.
-- David Govett
Davis, California

SEE YOU IN HEL
Re: James G. Poulos's Ego Tripping at the Gates of HEL:

Your article has a good point, spending for spending's sake does not make sense. One could say the same for FEMA credit cards and Louis Vuitton handbags. But the factor you did not touch on is the effect of disruptive technology. That is a technology that is so upsetting that the entire universe before it is blown away. The airplane, lasers, a space ribbon, and possibly HEL's are all analogs of this effect.

HEL's for example have a couple of advantages if perfected. Like a $20,000 laser shot from the ground downing a $2 billion B-2 bomber. Line of sight targeting making 'see, shoot, kill' a near certainty. Deployment years in advance of use with no attendant worries about degrading contents of the artillery shells or rocket fuel tanks. Such a system essentially eliminates manned combat flight in any theatre where such a system is deployed. No commander would risk his pilots or resources in any subsequent engagement when the first strike never comes back.

If a country was able to develop HEL's for $5 billion in R&D and deploy for another $10 billion strictly for air defense the payback might be substantial. The cost of the B-2 bomber at around $50 billion dwarfs in comparison and goes in the trash heap. The new F-22 and its use cost would escalate as the sole mission left to it would be high altitude missions, not wanting to risk such craft on ground attack roles in an HEL infested environment.

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Mainstream Media, Environment, Military, Conservatism, Energy