Societal Schizophrenia - Not the Clinical Kind

This is simply a layman's view of our society's rapid descent into madness.  It is not intended to offend anyone who actually suffers from a clinical diagnosis of any mental disorder. Rather it is an overview of a society's deliberate choice to split from reality and reason and separate our thought processes from our emotions. Allowing our emotions to override our powers of reason can lead a society into a collective madness.  I ask, who is pushing our emotional buttons and short circuiting our powers of reason ... and why are they doing it?   

Case in point ... reading a local paper, I became thoroughly incensed over the news coverage of recent 4th of July festivities. Consider, instead of some reference to our Founding Fathers, and those who gave their lives in the American Revolution, I read about a chicken wing eating contest. Imagine consuming 2.4 lbs. of chicken in 15 minutes, as our champion of the competition did. His competitor, for the first time in the event's history vomited up his wings, in full view of the public. Three large pictures of  the "King of Wings" competition, accompany the revolting article. Talk about separating emotions from the reason. The hysterical glee of watching people glut themselves to the point of puking, is assuredly a short circuit of our higher powers.  Where was a picture of Lexington and Concord? Or at least, Paul Revere, or even his horse?

Then I discover, that only 1 out of  4 people, even know why we celebrate the 4th of July in the first place! But, anybody young enough, or dumb enough, who watched this disgraceful display of gluttony, will simply walk away with the idea that the holiday is all about mindless revelry, with no sense of the importance of what it is we are celebrating. It is all too reminiscent of the Roman orgies of ancient times, where people glutted themselves into depravity.

Now, I am not complaining about good clean fun and celebration ... but is this how we honor those who gave their lives for our independence in the Revolutionary war? The 4th of July remembers the birth of our nation. A birth purchased with the lives of those who fought for our independence. What would their ghosts feel about such celebrations, if they could return? Men such as Nathan Hale, whose famous last words before being executed by the British, were, "I regret that I have but one life to give my country."  Is this type of moronic behavior how he would want his sacrifice to be remembered?  What would George Washington, and those who crossed the Delaware river with him, think?  As well as all the many others, who sacrificed themselves to create a nation out of a wilderness, and what they might feel?  Do displays such as this chicken wing gluttony, honor these men, and the privilege of being born in our great nation? Is this how we give thanks?

The next slip into schizophrenia, was an article about gambling. A casino is due to be placed some where in Lake County. The article states that the "anti-gambling activist" have concerns about placing  a casino near the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. "Anti-gambling activists"?  Why is it that anyone who tries to have common sense, or uses their natural powers of reason, to determine the efficacy of something, are immediately plugged as "anti"? This goes hand in hand with the pro-life movement being labeled "anti"-choice. In other words, anyone who is for morality, virtue, or even common sense  is Anti? While those who are depraved and irrational are Pro? Linguistics gymnastics at its best. So one of the "pro-gambling" Waukegan Senators and architect of the casino plan states,  "They're under the age of 21 to start with, and The rest are adults who can be trusted to make responsible decisions about gambling."   Really?  Are these the same responsible adults who choke down 2.4 lbs. of chicken in 15 minutes, accompanied by public vomiting?  No mention, anywhere in the article about the casino, or the real danger, that gambling casinos bring. Only that those who have concerns are "anti-gambling".  

Now, over the weekend, I hear, the National Education Association, (NEA) has endorsed President Obama for the 2012 presidential election, while 1 in 4 do not know the reason we celebrate the 4th of July. I thought the Revolutionary war was taught in the school system.  But when the NEA endorses a candidate such as President Obama, it all falls into place, and the schizophrenic rationale begins to reveal itself.  Apparently they're teaching more about diversity, rather than actual American History.

The next schizophrenic headline in the news was titled, "Is Risk In The Womb?" The article is about the increased risk of Autism in twins, both identical and fraternal.  Now the separation of emotion from human reason really sets in. The title, "Is Risk In the Womb" is a very poor way to phrase the problem of autism in twins. Or is it a clever choice of words, deliberately aimed at provoking the emotions of expectant women?  Couldn't they have simply titled the article, "A New Study of Autism Risk in Twins," rather than making the womb an enemy. The article goes on to report possible causes, though not trying to determine what the specific risks might be. Rather the title simply makes the woman's womb the major culprit. It raises a fear for pregnant women, that her own womb might be the main threat to her child, rather than determine what actual scientific factors might really be involved. It is a title designed to instill fear, pure and simple.

Now I ask, how much of this is stupidity, or a form of social schizophrenia, or an actual agenda, which our modern schizophrenic society is swallowing, at the same rate our King of Wings champion swallowed 2.4 lbs of chicken wings.   Put your thinking caps on people.