kurtster wrote: 
Looks like an interesting book, I'll pick it up. 

The poem says nothing about bullets though. And certainly nothing so dark as a threat to any who fail to feel your zeal for a subject at hand.  And your follow ups of "Regardless, my comment on apathy was honest and sincere." and "Consider it a warning or cautionary thought, not an accusation." are certainly a misinterpretation of where Thomas would have you direct your rage at the onslaught of advancing years. I prefer to think of the poem as a missive on how we should live rather than how we should die, so yes we see it differently. But I doubt that is influenced any more by our different generations than it is simply by how we see ourselves in this world.  And really, Thomas was a generation before you, so maybe he would view us both as latecomers who can't feel his unique pain.

You are as irrelevant as you want to be. But I do get tired of threats of violence (regardless of where / who they come from). There is enough silliness t worry about in the real and digital worlds. Here as in meatspace let's try to disagree without coming to blows.

 

 islander wrote: 
I think that you trying to go way too deep with your reaction.

There was a sidebar going on about a song's lyrics that address hopeless and apathy via parody from a time long gone  You are from a different generation than mine.  My generation's and particular cohort's references are a tad different than yours. 

May I recommend a book ?  The Things They Carried.  Years ago Ted Koppel devoted an entire Nightline on the book.

While it has nothing to do with anything going on in this thread, it may offer some insights into the generation that preceeded yours.  I only read it because I took English 102 a couple of years ago to adjust degree pre - reqs caused by a difference between quarters and semesters.  The 30 yo instructor made it required reading for his students who were generally 18 to 25 yo's.  I am so glad that I read the book and looking back right now, I'm so glad that this guy is making his students read it for a perspective of a time that rivals Alice In Wonderland in unblievabilty of reality.

My generation is presently entering the Winter of our lives.  I was actually writing a journal about this (The 4 Seasons of Life) last week that was killed by the editor when I hit submit.  Do not go gentle into the good night.  That means something entirely different to me than you.  Of that I am sure of.

I'll try again on that journal, though it will be much different because a lot of it was cathartic and some of the thoughts went away with the properties of catharsis which involves letting go of some things.

Until then, ta ...
Oh and please do not infer any generational snark or condescending tones in my remarks.  Just a tired old white guy from an irrelevant generation trying to get some thoughts out.

 mutepoint wrote: 
You don't pay your FCC taxes, so no TV for you.  

Amazing that we can't really control anything crossing the borders except copyrighted comedy. 

 kurtster wrote: 
Nice, so people who grow weary of the ongoing slog can expect a bullet?  How the hell is that rational, well thought out, logic based debate?

WTF is with the threatening responses?  Jesus that gets old. 

 gypsyman wrote: 
No worries.  Just taking the time to say that steeler is one of the few here who actually tries to take political discussions seriously.  There weren't many to begin with and few are left.  We have joined together occasionally over the years to defend the poly threads and their legitimate place here on the boards.

I do not wish to put words in his mouth or speak for his methods, but he tries to raise the bar rather than play cop here.  We all have our tactics and devices for arguments, but he is one who knows that an argument is not a screaming match, it is the logic method for discussing topics or making points.

Most forum  members would prefer that political threads disappear forever.  steeler is not one of them.

 kurtster wrote: 

steeler's posts are thoughtful and well-crafted. not that he needs or wants my approval. just sayin'

 gypsyman wrote: 

In this instance, I can clearly say that steeler and I disagree on many things, but he is far from apathetic..

 steeler wrote: 

yes, you are. food for thought only. shoe fits, etc...

 gypsyman wrote: 
I'm good. Thanks.

 steeler wrote:  

To whomever the shoe fits ...

Consider it a warning or cautionary thought, not an accusation.

 steeler wrote: 

ps - Deal only in facts. Do not re-arrange the facts to fit your answer. Answer questions directly, without asking another question. Back up your statements without hyperbole. Remember that logic is your friend. Make no judgmental statements without quantifying your qualifications to do so, and we will thereby eliminate those incompetent to engage.

 kurtster wrote: 

And directed at whom?

 steeler wrote: 
I did take it as a joke.  I went and dug up the full lyrics and was going to post some more of them.

Consider that two wrongs never make a right
But that three... do.

Wherever possible, put people on hold.

Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment
And despite the changing fortunes of time,
There is always a big future in computer maintenance.
(Obamacare assures the truthfulness of the preceeding line)
But in all honesty, my first thought was to reply with the line do not go gentle into the good night.

Regardless, my comment on apathy was honest and sincere.

 spammer wrote: 

Boatloads of 400lb catfish.

Boatloads of internet cops in this thread.

 kurtster wrote: 

It was a joke.

But you are laying it on a tad thick. 

 gypsyman wrote: 
You beat me to it ...

Apathy has no quarter or safe harbour, nor will they hear the bullet.

 steeler wrote: 

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

- Dylan Thomas   
   

 steeler wrote: 

 kurtster wrote: 

You are a fluke of the universe.
You have no right to be here.
And whether you can hear it or not,
The universe is laughing behind your back.

Therefore, make peace with your god,
Whatever you perceive him to be - hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin.
With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal,
The world continues to deteriorate.
Give up!