Crossfire and 2012 in "Postracial" America

I wrote an earlier post, suggesting that the "crossfire" meme is being put out there deliberately to stir up chaos. Well, consider this Part 2 of that post with an addendum. I neglected to mention another instance of "crossfire"--the television series. Crossfire was a CNN program that featured heated discussion among political pundits with opposing viewpoints. Now I get that the second meaning of "crossfire" can refer to a "rapid or heated exchange of words," but did they really need to christen the show with a name possessing such mortal combat undertones? And did they have to drive home the point with this logo?

Just look at that cross hair in that logo. Kind of reminds me of
(Click here for more on that. BTW: Those cross hairs are just par for the course when it comes to the violent rhetoric this woman has been inspiring ever since the 2008 campaign.)

For more than 20 years, Crossfire fed into the consciousness of the American populace and helped sow the seeds of the current caustic political climate. So now, instead of civil discourse between people who agree to disagree, we have shouting matches on television shows, talk radio programs, comments sections in blogs and online newspapers, and even the halls of Congress. Those desperate to escape the viciousness retreat to the echo chambers of their bastions of like-minded individuals, depriving themselves of the opportunity to have an open, honest, civil and constructive debate among people of varying perspectives that could possibly lead to genuine solutions.

It's gotten so bad that now our leaders in Congress (namely the Republicans) are obstructing legislation, some of which incorporates their own ideas (like no public option), simply because it emanated from their political opponent (Obama), who is really more of a centrist than the left-wing communist they demonize him to be. And on top of this, we now have these Tea Party people waving their flags and gnashing their teeth at the "pigmented one" who dared to be "uppity" enough to "take over their country." Make no mistake, the melanin-rich complexion of the current commander-in-chief is the true motivation behind these people's newfound "concern" for the direction of this country. We heard nary a word from them when the country was being run into the ground by the previous administration. But now that an "exotic" person is in the White House, here come the teabaggers with their racial slurs and offensive slogans, that devil-may-care orthography, and their tragic ignorance of sexual colloquialisms. (And before the finger-pointing accusations of hypocrisy begin, please know that I'm well aware of the sexual connotations behind my own moniker.)

I can't say that I'm surprised. I kind of figured this country wasn't ready for a black president yet. Hell, I'm still shocked he even got elected in the first place! We'll see what happens in 2012 though--which brings me to that addendum I mentioned: What is it with this apocalyptic 2012 meme running through the media lately? In one instance, it's a popular movie. In another, it's a prediction from a Mayan calendar. In a third instance, it's a Nostradamus quatrain.

There goes that left behind meme again.

I remember hearing about a 2012 prediction back in the mid-90's that said the U.S. would experience a racial war of some sort. Well with the heightened racial animosity--disguised as passionate political rhetoric--coming from the same crowd that vehemently defends their 2nd amendment rights, coupled with the increasing media images of guns and violence and the ever-increasing leniency of gun laws, I'm beginning to fear that "racial unrest" prediction may come to pass in one form or another. It doesn't help that statistical news feeds of white people's declining status as a majority group keep getting fed periodically through the media. With everyone incensed and taking up arms in anticipation of a catastrophic event in 2012, it's not hard to imagine it becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. I just hope not too many people get caught in the crossfire.

Which brings me back to that "crossfire" meme again, and one more interesting (and rather disturbing) take on the meaning (if you're into wordplay):
With all these media-fed memes riling up those with the greatest predisposition and motivation for violence, things could really start getting serious over the next couple of years. Stay safe, people, and don't get caught up.