What is the Rant Sink?

What is the rant sink?

The rant sink is about expression. Some will 'bitch and moan'; others will simply complain. No matter what happens, you can bet there will be plenty of fuel for expression. I would like nothing more than to understand how my views and opinions and fit in with those of my peers. I would like to learn as much as I possibly can in this life and writing, especially when it is pure, is one of the best ways to learn. Bitching and complaining? Maybe. Venting? Definitely. Truth? Absolutely...

How about the rant sink?

One of my favorite things to do is argue - debate really - but it is fine if all you see is nothing more than arguing. I personally enjoy the back and forth that comes from rapid fire, off the hip, extemporaneous speaking. This is especially true about the most serious of topics. I find that most people will express their true feelings (and selves) if they are pushed just a little too far.

Pushed?
Offering a statement designed to get a "reaction" is not a bad thing. Topics such as racism, religion, politics, cultural differences or culture in general often incite very passionate, very real emotions and responses. We often learn about ourselves in situations where we are not allowed to think before we react to a stimulus. I personally believe these are the times we learn the most about ourselves.

I am not suggesting I seek to push people into fits of anger, but what is a rant if it doesn't have a little edge to it. To me the substance of a rant is that it has visible or audible, almost tangible emotion. A rant is something that, for lack of a better explanation, just comes out.

Many of my own rants are inspired by movies or books or chance encounters or current events. It does not matter why one speaks out, only that it be from the soul.

For example...

Why are our children, our school systems being dumbed down to the point that the average child is no more being challenged than our government is being regulated? What ever happened to pushing children (students) to see what they were capable of? Why do we have to wait until high school or college to challenge our future leaders and innovators? Is it the teachers? Is it the word average?Is it affirmative action rearing its ugly head in primary school? What is with all the standardized testing?

In my mind, the standardized test is a cop out and everybody involved loses. The school does not have to pay a teacher because they are really no more than babysitters; and the kids grow up thinking the world, life, their brain is standardized. (OK so I guess the schools win.) Are there really no more teachers in this country? That is - one who teaches...
Would be teachers are discouraged because of these situations and because children these days have been raised by television, video games and the Internet - their social skills and desire to be taught are non-existent.

When parents were raising their kids and teachers were allowed to teach and discipline their students we were gaining ground on the disciplined and intellectual Asian countries. Not to suggest a competition, but what is wrong with taking enough pride in yourself, your education, your future that you want to be better than some of the smartest and most dedicated students in the world? Nothing.

And nothing is what is being done about it. There is definitely a welfare mentality in our public schools. I'll take what they give me and give nothing more than the effort it takes to be given to. I am not sure what the cure is; or if there even is one. I do know that some of the onus should be on the parents and students themselves. Hell, there isn't anybody involved that couldn't stand to improve in some phase of this neglected part of society. If we don't spend some very concerned time and brainpower on re-dedicating our teachers and our students, we are in for a very rough future.

Isn't the education of our youth an investment in our future? It should be. What could be more important than how we bring up and educate the future voting, tax paying, leadership of this country. If it were up to me it would be an easy, selfish decision. I want those responsible for taking care of me and my country to take pride in themselves and their education. I think we would all echo that sentiment. At least, I hope we would...

Is there a LEADER in the house?

Where have all the leaders gone?

Is this all we have to choose from?

Why is the machine forcing democrat vs. republican down my throat?

Why do I not know what any of these jokers stand for?

Is it because they stand for nothing other than some agenda gift-wrapped in hundred dollar bills?

I'd even go for a couple of mafioso-driven, sex-crazed brothers at this point. At least they could act like leaders. At least there was something for both young and old to get behind; something to believe in. At this point we have nothing to hope for but non-committal of some spineless aristocrats to a situation we have zero control over.
A situation we cannot win.
A war not war.

Whew...

That's what happens when I see a quality film. INSPIRATION!!!!!!
Inspiration is one of the most wonderful things in the universe. It's the only thing that keeps writers going. (OK, at least blog-writers that have no following and nothing better to do.)

Back to the rant...

So I ask you . . . where are the leaders?
What happened to the romantic relationship this country had with the President?
Was it overthrown by an idiot?
Could it be that it was ruined by an intern (or is it the other way around)?
Might it have been decimated by an actor?
It couldn't have been spoiled by a sissy, could it?
Is it possible it was cheapened by a liar? stolen by a crook?

Did we give up after Bobby and Dr. King were killed?
The dolts that have worn out the oval office furniture since aren't exactly filling up history books with heroic or powerful images. Maybe its just poor writing.

The American people voted these men into office, I know. But isn't choosing a candidate these days a little like ordering health food at a Dairy Queen? You try for a solid three minutes to find something that even remotely resembles a good choice; reduce yourself to something that will make you feel good; and settle on the fried chicken strips - without gravy.

At the very least I'd like to see someone who acted the part. Jack did it. Bobby's performance was masterful. You could even make the case that Clinton was pointed in the right direction. (That might have been a poor choice of words).

Nobody wants to save the world anymore. Or maybe those who do want to save the world realize they'd be saving it from themselves. Is that what happens? I once had aspirations of entering into politics and was immediately dissuaded by my father with the following sentiment:
"They all probably get in with good intentions, but the system washes those good intentions away and they wake up with just a job in a system they can't change."
Thanks for the vote of confidence, pop.
I know he wasn't speaking on behalf of the American people, but I believe he could have been.
Was he wrong?