Words according to Thomas, Co-Founder, Jack of all Trades, and Creative Director of Raven Vanguard
*CONTENT WARNING: This Once-over contains graphic references to unspeakable and cowardly acts of violence perpetrated upon women and young children.*
Follies, (Mis)fortunes, and Fiscal Foolishness
I can only be talking about one thing, the overbreadth, and shortsightedness of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s unworkable Green New Deal which she launched yesterday morning (February 7th).
While I agree that we must act now, and act decisively, to mitigate the fast-approaching climate crisis, I don’t think a plan to avert environmental catastrophe should also include totalitarian mandates for the social reengineering of our society and our capitalistic economic structure in one fell swoop. The totality of her plan is beyond straight-up nonsense; it is downright harrowing.
“A massive transformation of our society” – Alexandria’s words, not mine.
“Economic security for all who are unable or unwilling to work” – Alexandria’s words, not mine.
“Ensure that all GND jobs are union jobs that pay prevailing wages and hire local” – Alexandria’s words, not mine.
In my Once-over from two weeks ago, I characterized Ocasio-Cortez as naïve, but well-intentioned, harmless, and not wantonly dangerous. However, her Green New Deal, when coupled with her stated desire to “run train on the progressive agenda,” has me reevaluating her approach entirely. I no longer think she is well-meaning because this type of thinking is autocratic at its core.
Although Alexandria is now attempting to distance herself from her so-called plan to ensure “economic security for all who are unable or unwilling to work,” she can’t run from the reality that this is one of her core personal beliefs. She and I will never see eye-to-eye on this concept because our philosophical differences over the fundamental nature of this very idea are unbridgeable.
Generally speaking, I do not believe society must provide economic security for those who are unable to work. That is unless one’s inability to work is based solely on their total incapacity to work as a consequence of a debilitating physical or mental condition or illness over which they have no control.
However, for those who are unable to work because they don’t possess the necessary talent or skills, that’s not a societal obligation; that’s on them, not us, and surely not on my Family or me. Moreover, economic security for those incapable of work does not, and should never be extended to malingerers.
And what about Alexandria’s call for economic security for those among us who are unwilling to work by choosing to be willingly idle? I don’t have to think twice about this one; they can go fuck themselves. Get up off of your ass and find a job.
And as far as the requirement that all Green New Deal created jobs are “union jobs” paying “prevailing wages,” let’s just say I’m heartily opposed to this being a fixed mandate in any plan designed to salvage our environment.
If you’re interested in learning more about Ms. Ocasio-Cortez’s fantasy-fueled Green New Deal, here is a link to the actual text of her House Resolution -
https://apps.npr.org/documents/document.html?id=5729033-Green-New-Deal-FINAL
The Real Importance of Today, and Why it is so Utterly Momentous
Thirteen years ago today, my Daughter was born. She is an extraordinary and gifted human being that awakened in me the ability to love and to receive love unconditionally. Happy Birthday, CJM.
My Daughter’s birth gave my life new meaning and context and forever altered my perspective on what it means to be a man, and a male in our society.
As Father to a young woman entering her teenage years, I am outraged at how little real progress has been made in the advancement of women’s rights in this Country since the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. Amidst an alarming worldwide increase in the perpetuation of patriarchal scheming, sexist rhetoric, and violence and discriminatory practices against women, and with no absolute and safe path forward, we are living in a time of growing uncertainty where this often barbaric mistreatment of women, again and again, has deadly consequences.
Misogyny does not take place in a vacuum; all people, especially men, must actively reject and work to dismantle these destructive patriarchal narratives and see to it that the men who still hold, preserve, support, and exploit these beliefs are held fully accountable.
As a society, when did we unlearn what is acceptable, unacceptable, right, and wrong? As a society, when did we start to condone and normalize gender alienation and oppression, predation, sexual assault, date rape, and domestic and relationship violence? As a society, when did we decide to turn a blind eye to the abuse and atrocities committed against women that are carried out in the guise of religious or cultural beliefs?
Every man must learn to graciously accept the reality that every woman is an autonomous and more advanced being who should never be subjected to any man’s unenlightened or culturally backward way of thinking.
What is Wrong With the Men of India?
Did you know that in India an act of rape occurs every thirteen minutes? Did you know that just yesterday, a five-year-old girl was kidnapped, raped, and murdered in Mumbai? And that her body was literally dumped along the roadside after her attacker was finished with her? Gang rape and the rape of children are commonplace in India because these barbaric acts are condoned by all those other men who stand idly by doing absolutely nothing to stop it. And all of this taking place in the year of the Pig; how fitting!
The Boiling Water Challenge
Google this; it’s a thing. The idea of throwing boiling water into the frigid winter air in the hope of watching it freeze instantaneously without simultaneously burning oneself seems like such a foolhardy idea that no one would actually attempt it, right? Wrong; people are shockingly stupid at times.
Jeff Bezos and The National Enquirer
This one ought to be fun to watch. Extramarital relations and blackmail? Enough said – stay tuned.
Cultivated Cannabis and the Botanical Distinctions Between the Strains, Sativa, and Indica
With the distinct possibility that New York State may soon legalize the recreational use of marijuana (not that I would ever), isn’t it about time we give serious thought to whether, and how cannabis products should be labeled? A cannabis consumer, whether she or he is a recreational dabbler or a medical patient in need, should have the right to know by way of accurate labeling both the potential pharmacological effects and psychoactive components in whatever product they are purchasing. For instance, not only should consumers be entitled to labeling that precisely details cannabinoid and terpenoid content, but they should also be made aware of whether Monsanto, Roundup, glyphosate, or the like have had anything whatsoever to do with the products cultivation.
Raven Vanguard House – the Dawning of a New Day in Design is Fast Approaching
Inside the walls of Raven Vanguard House, a radical transformation is taking place, one that must be seen and experienced firsthand to be believed. Look for a Raving from us in late-March that sheds more light on our Grand Reopening activities.