Why hell and handbaskets?

Why name a blog "hell and handbaskets"? Perhaps because the entire human race would seem to be rushing headlong into a giant handbasket headed for hell (not biblical, Quran-ish or religious hell - just hell on earth - run by bankers, politicians, popes and the pious, tv evangelists, creationists -peculiarly ignorant lot - and generally fundamentalist religious nut-jobs of all stripes).

Religion(s) would seem to be at the helm, leading people into hate, distrust, violence against their fellow humans; followed by the majority of "governments" - collections of individuals, some elected, many in power as result of violence and intimidation (Bush???) who foment a form of Orwell's 1984 mantra of constant diversion from getting screwed by the powers that be to fear of outside "evils". Bush's "they hate us for our freedom" is a great example of misdirection and fear mongering. Not as fundamental as religions' "believe as we do or go to hell forever (or maybe we'll just kill you, torture your family and steal all your stuff" (Catholics are good at this).

As the 2008 U.S. elections approach, Americans will have the opportunity to weed out the dreck that has populated our national government for too long. Unfortunately, many Americans are so stupid as to believe what has been proven wrong time and again - whether about religion, Iraq, K Street, Chinese trade, etc. and these yahoos vote. I hope those who see this blog and contribute new information to get to the masses will take a step further and speak out to any audience they may have to re-invigorate a real dialogue unfettered by bigotry, religious indoctrination, special (read corporate) interests and generally uninformed - or Fox News (faux news) informed fools. It is hoped that a new American revolution can be peaceful, accomplished at the polls, but should the Republican caging, cheating, machine corrupting b.s. steal another election - I think action must take place in the streets and corporate office buildings of the growing oligarchy.