Isn’t it true that the annoyance of old-time bureaucratic form filling has been replaced by the repression of political control? Even the simplest acts are now subject to approval by authorities who nitpick trifles while the world is unraveling – the better to avoid blame.
It used to be enough to get them in line – now, they need to be present and correct – each one a conforming element; in a planned position. One Thought – One Taught – One Voice – One Choice. One array — O.K.?
We’re screwed; and we’re still in the dark. The only problem Authorities have solved: is how they can become rich and powerful.
Authorities follow doctrine; and their doctrine gives them authority – manipulating symbols of symbols – and deciding which end of the egg to break open. Luckily; their decisions don’t require debate – lucky for them.
Exposing misconduct, corruption, and cronyism in Tompkins County is not just digging into the past – it’s yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
“Tompkins County and Tammany Hall” documented only small piece of the overarching policies and actions that dominate and control the lives of the county’s rural residents – and includes nothing that has occurred since its publication.
An unfinished and unpublished companion piece to the “Truck Route” chapter [Road Weary] has even more jaw-dropping disclosures of the actions of local and County authorities; and their ongoing displacement and oppression of the rural community – actions that only those who feel beyond the reach of social justice and legal oversight would commit.
I have sent copies of the book to many people who, I thought, would be open to change – without even getting an acknowledgement – and bringing readers up to date would do nothing to change the situation – it would only increase the “body count.”
It’s hopeless – but I have a plan – as my cousin used to say: “Don’t force it; get a bigger hammer.”
Looking at the inner workings; without being able to see the inner workings – is a common occurrence with those trying to participate in Tompkins County government.
Public policy is decided and ratified privately. Take it, or leave it: there’s nothing you can do about it.
The most grinding thoughts in our oily Social Policy machine; come from those we most respect — While apologists and toadies scour their writings: Gathering fragments of their broken dream – to reassemble an entirely different one.
The word “hearing” conjures up clips of hard hitting, hard questioning Congressional Hearings — but nothing could be farther from today’s local and county hearings. Along with all he public participation of a royal proclamation, and the transparency of bullet-proof glass – government planning is sold with a carefree lack of accountability: Comments from the public are met with an indifference that underscores the absence of any meaningful public participation or oversight.The only hard hitting going on in public hearings is the way their planning hits the public.
It’s time to shed the “AARP-Ineffectual” image that’s been laid on old folks – it’s a long road to being old – and those New School yearbooks will be pulped long before you get there. Old School? It’s how the people who lived to be old; lived to be old.
It’s not what you do: it’s who you are – never more so than now. In a country that’s still covering up for their biggest polluters; how far away are we from doing anything about it? If they can’t have the world: no one can.