With all of the “causes” we see going what’s happened to the ones like Free Tibet? Or USA for Africa?
Were they always lost causes? Are they still even going on?
Many of us root for the under dog, cheer for those who stand in defiance even a what seems like a lost fight. Keep up the good fight no matter what.
Why do we do that?
It’s one of the most powerful devices in human nature…. its called HOPE!
Others might argue that it’s more like stupidity but I’m a glass half full kinda guy myself.
Let’s take a look at some lost causes (or maybe not so lost)-
Free Tibet – wow remember that one? Funny thing it wasn’t all that long ago this was in all the media. The Dalai Lama (not those cute South African critters, this is the cute Yoda like little Asian guy) is like a spiritual leader/incarnation of Buddha and notional leader of Tibet. He is in exile currently and tours the world speaking to influential people and world leaders dispensing wisdom and inspiring rock stars, not to mention pissing off China (PRC) every time he gets to speak with a western leader. Still doesn’t have his country back and probably never will. It’s kind of funny that the well meaning granola eaters and western Buddhists think they can throw a rock show and inspire the PRC’s heart to grow 2 sizes and FREE TIBET. Yeah sorry not going to happen. In the inspired words of the 14th (yeah there’s been that many incarnations) Dalai Lama , “The Dalai Lama office was an institution created to benefit others. It is possible that it will soon have outlived its usefulness.” Not what I would call inspiring words to my followers exactly, but in that strange (at least to Western thinking) Buddhist philosophy maybe it is ?
Ron Paul for President- Im going to get a ton of grief for this one but so be it, sometimes the sacred cow is needed for White Castle sliders! As much as I want to see this, it ain’t going to happen not on a GOP ticket anyway. Ron should have ran as an inspiring independent (ala Jesse Ventura) THAT would have upended the apple cart and brought some real democracy back to the United States. The facts are that the Republicans are just as corrupt and rotten as the Democrats and there ain’t no saving that party. Essentially Ron Paul had already won the GOP Nomination, however ” the powers that be” are just too entrenched in both of those parties to allow anyone who actually has any kind of real inspiring leadership, like Ron Paul. Jesse Ventura does a really great interview below that lays it all out in very easy to understand terms, no bull shit ,just straight up.
Alternative Energy- again would love to see viable alternate energy and less reliance foreign oil,etc but is it going to happen?
I don’t think while alternative fuels cost more economically that the crude does. Not just financially but also in energy input and what actual work comes out of it. Is that to say we shouldn’t go that way? No we should explore it and develop it buts its a long way off but not a complete lost cause. However with current problems with power grids and electrical supplies if everyone suddenly decided to get electric cars and plugged in would the grid support that?
USA for Africa- yeah some of us remember the “We are the World” song and more rock stars jumping on the band wagon. But if we can’t solve homelessness and poverty in Western countries what business do we have thinking we can tell Africans how to do it? Is this cause just a money pit? A way to relive the so called “white liberal guilt”? Others again feel otherwise.
Rebellions – very, very rarely does a rebellion ever have success it’s only after it’s a success that it is called a revolution! Although many rebellions are doomed to failure the resulting aftermath most times brings about changes generally in the positive and the original grievances that caused the rebellion often addressed.
Patron Saint of Lost Causes-Saint Jude
There are many other examples of seemingly hopeless causes in the world but if we gave up just because it’s too hard or seems hopeless then nothing would ever get accomplished. Lost causes are such a part of the human condition and history we can never be separate from them. From Japanese Kamikaze pilots in World War 2 to Vikings and the Battle of Ragnarok, the planet is riff with them.
(at left illustration of St.Jude Thaddaeus)
To quote Clarence Darrow, “Lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for.” -EvS
I threw in this video as it shows defiance in a lost cause! And looks cool too.