361 & 360 & 359 & 358

Four days gone by and not a word? Guess I’ve been busy. But we seem to have fallen into a pattern with this blog of late, with appearance rather consistent and not a lot to talk about. I think that means I’m pouring my creative energy into other things – finishing the Clemmie story (done and revised based on Aunt Jopie’s input – like she’s only 88, not 89 – oops) and Book 4 of the Save the Children series (I got up at 2:30 yesterday morning to finish the detailed outline that will allow me to meet my Thanksgiving deadline). Plus, I have to think about writing down my dreams in preparation for my therapy session. But more about that another time.

What I really want to talk about today is a step back from the detail and look at the world as a whole. There are upsets everywhere: Bolivia, Hong Kong, Baghdad & Basra in Iraq, Lebanon, Santiago, Chile.

Rioting in Baghdad

It would appear social media has made rioting a highly contageous, worldwide virus of action on the part of young people. But hey, kids, here’s the rub, as Shakespeare would say. It’s one thing to demand action and use varying degrees of violence to call attention to the need for change. But then – after you succeed and a power vacuum occurs – that’s when, historically, real trouble comes. Take Santiago. The Chilean president PiƱera cancelled the November APEC Trade forum because of protests. That was the meeting where DtheT/crazier and President XI were supposed to ratify whatever phase of trade agreement the diplomats had conjured up. But as it’s cancelled, now they have to figure out a face-saving way to do it without calling a meeting that might show weakness on either side.

But let’s look at Chile’s history when there were protests, culminating in the election of a socialist president Salvador Allende. He didn’t last 3 years and Chile became a dictatorship with thousands of young people killed. Fear drives the middle and upper classes to approve of dictatorship, just looking to preserve their way of life. It’s generally young idealists that pay the price for these choices borne out of fear.

It also should be noted that Nixon/Kissinger’s CIA played a big role in the coup that brought down Allende and ultimately led to his death by either murder or suicide. That tendency of previous American administrations to meddle in foreign affairs is one of the things that ultimately will turn the rest of the world against the United States, with unfortunate consequences. Spoiler alert – all that will be found in Book 5.

So what are young people fighting injustice to do? Be aware that your actions have consequences, and if you don’t have any alternative for what fills the void after you topple the government, be aware: you may pay the ultimate price for that failure to plan.

That is all.

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