Massive Dichotomy/ Reindeer Bullying Edition

Hello, thanks for checking in. Before we get going:

Dichotomy: a division into two especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities <the dichotomy between theory and practice>

In the last few weeks, I noticed two instances where there was a large gulf between what I think/feel/see and what was happening. I mean, this happens all the time to me, but these examples are especially stark.

I mention in my profile that I am a vegan. I'm only in my 7th month of veganism, so I just learned that November 1st was "World Vegan Day." No joke, it's really a thing. You can see for yourself here. Whether you live this lifestyle or not, I think (hope?) we can agree that someone choosing to not have animals for food is a good thing. I feel this can be independent of you wanting to live that way or not.
That being said, imagine my surprise to find a fashion show, in which the models actually wore food. This was an instance of a large dichotomy in my little world. And, I don't think I'm looking at this from a vegan's point-of-view either. I think meat-eaters can even see the distance between people who won't eat animals and people wearing them in a fashion show? I hope they can. I don't feel like this is an instance where my own choices are making it seem worse to me. Anyway, you can decide for yourself. In the show, some women wore octopus, fish skin masks, quail eggs, a guy was in a tank top made of salmon, and many other examples. It struck me as wasteful and tacky. Here is a video about the show.

More dichotomy and this something that should be closer to home for most people. For the most part, America seems to have war fatigue. This poll, from late October, showed that only 34% of the country still supported the Afghan war. This poll, also from late October, showed that 75% of Americans support pulling out of Iraq at the end of this year. You’re thinking, “Yay! We’re going to stop occupying other nations and spending hundreds of billions of dollars per year on the military.” But, here comes to dichotomy part. Considering that small percentages of the populace want to be in these wars, why would President Obama increase the troop levels in the Persian Gulf? So, we’re basically leaving Iraq, to move our stuff a few miles away into other Gulf nations. I have to review his comments. He might have only said “we’re leaving Iraq.” And not, “the troops are coming home.” Obama might get off on a technicality with this one. This more recent story even suggests that after the troop removal, new troops may be sent in (looks like the troops coming back in will be CIA, Special Forces, private military (another technicality). It gets worse too. Obama is sending 2,500 troops t0 Australia as well. Your guess is as good as mine. Terrorist kangaroos? Rogue Koala Bears? Who knows anymore? It seems the goals are endless wars and/or endless occupations, regardless of what the people want.

Since, I hate ending on a low note. This is something I noticed just yesterday. If you read this Hub, you know that Fox is a joke. It’s not just me talking either. Media Matters for America fact-check Fox regularly and prove how useless they truly are. For anyone that is new, I wrote about what it was like to argue with a Fox Viewer and linked to more facts about what is done over there. I am ashamed to say that I sometimes tune in, just to see what they’re lying about. However, yesterday morning, I tuned in to see them tackle the pressing problem of Rudolph being bullied in a cartoon. They also wondered how kids might react to this. They brought in a psychiatrist to discuss it. I had to snap a pic of the graphic they used as the discussion went on. As always, there is no embellishment needed. If you know anyone that watches Fox, push them towards Media Matters or Outfoxed (a Robert Greenwald documentary). Together we can prevent them from completely stupidity-fying (made up word) the nation. Your country needs you!

See you next time,

James