Author: dougabaird@earthlink.net

“The World According to Doctrine” — “Come out, come out, wherever you are!” Bumper sticker

“Come out, come out, wherever you are!” Bumper sticker

The government push-back to transparency is as old as authority – Bureaucracy. It’s buried in transcripts, broken into sections, indexed esoterically, in part everywhere; and in whole nowhere — it’s a FOIL request for each document – a Black Box policy process where only the results are viewable.

When I enquired at the Town office about the status of our hamlet’s petition to the NY State for a speed limit – I was told it would take six months to a year; and we would only know if they put up signs.

It’s government by the book; by Kafka.

“The World According to Doctrine” — “Sweetkins and Light” Bumper sticker

“Sweetkins and Light” Bumper sticker

“Sweetkins and Light” It conjures up images of cuteness, simplified pastel shapes, and kid-friendly xylophone melodies – images that hide the Lord of the Flies “kill the pig” underpinnings of today’s social doctrine.

Children are educated to conform to this doctrine; and they are all the more eager to do so – to avoid the fate of those who do not.

Their candy-colored future is no more than building sand castles against the rising tide.

“The World According to Doctrine” — “What will a ‘hundred year flood, look like. . ?” Bumper sticker

“What will a ‘hundred year flood, look like. . ?” Bumper sticker

As flooding gets worse – our government’s “hundred year flood” criteria bobs on the surface; constantly being revised to meet ever-higher levels of water – a damage control that substitutes reassurance for regulation. It’s as if the definition of “serious illness” had been changed from “bed-ridden” to “riding in a hearse.”

The USGS explanation doesn’t even mention Climate Change as a cause.

And if you won’t even admit the problem – how far away are you from doing something to solve it?

Like those science fiction movies where authorities have only so many days to act before the public is aware of the oncoming cataclysm – the true magnitude of climate change and its fallout is racing towards us from the future.

“The World According to Doctrine” — “Victim’s Vault: ATV DOA”

“Victim’s Vault: ATV DOA”

People tend to distance themselves from victims – maybe they’re afraid it’s catching. Even those who are charged with the responsibility of protecting them; take a distant and clinical view. Let’s face it; victims have a pathetic image – and they’re the result of a problem that authorities don’t want to address.

Maybe that’s why those vigilante victim movies are so popular: because they’re victims — like so many of us.

“The World According to Doctrine” — “769,656 Elderly COVID deaths” Bumper sticker

“769,656 Elderly COVID deaths” Bumper sticker

When you’re disposable; there’s always a reason for not doing anything to help. It’s just another untold story – that is telling in its absence.

Authorities could have warned seniors that if they felt threatened; they should temporarily change their will and inform the beneficiaries – but that might cause problems: when you’re disposable; you’re not a victim. Shhhhhh . . .

“The World According to Doctrine” — “Everybody wants to be an authority figure” Bumper sticker

“Everybody wants to be an authority figure” Bumper sticker

So many people want to be Authority Figures these days – flashing honors and credentials like patents of nobility.

Or Messengers: racing from place to place – filled with the importance of delivering the News; without the danger and drudgery of involvement.

A society of elite people holding themselves above or outside of the oppression and evil of our times — with an eye on the lifeboat.

“The World According to Doctrine” — “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” Bumper sticker

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” Bumper sticker

Outreach is important. The “If they want our help; they can come to us” attitude of our institutions leaves people to rot in place – or suffer until they are willing to take that big first step. Instead of making people ask: “Can you help me?” — We should be asking; “How can we help you?”