They Hate US
After September 11th when the fear campaign was in full swing, we found ourselves looking warily overseas coining a new enemy, the "Islamic Fascists." We were left searching, not for evidence (which we still haven't seen) but for blame, and asking why do they hate us?
"Americans are asking, why do they hate us? They hate what we see right here in this chamber -- a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms -- our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other."Pres. Bush
Right away, it is clear that they don't hate us for our "freedoms" or our "democracy." As Noam Chomsky and other critics point out, it is because of our "total apathy toward history," our backing of authoritarian regimes and thwarting of democracy, our blocking economic development, and our support for Israel in the ongoing, increasingly bloody Israeli-Palestinian conflict that this cycle of violence is perpetuated, leaving the world hating US.
Yet as was common at the time and is still recurring, the media reports a parade of pro-war patriotism. For example, George Will at the Washington Post wrote that "Americans are slow to anger but mighty when angry, and their proper anger now should be alloyed with pride. They are targets because of their virtues--principally democracy, and loyalty to those nations which, like Israel, are embattled salients of our virtues in a still-dangerous world."
Retired Air Force Gen. Charles G. Boyd continued on in the same issue writing "This nation symbolizes freedom, strength, tolerance, and democratic principles dedicated to both liberty and peace. To the tyrants, the despots, the closed societies, there are no alterations to the policies, no gestures we can make, no words we can say that will convince those determined to continue their hate."Amongst these and many other misguided presidential regurgitations, we are left with a feel-good about America mentality that, as Chomsky points out, is "completely at variance with everything we know."
(An Egyptian music video illustrating a popular sentiment)
Right on! Great videos
Posted by
Anonymous |
6:48 PM
Nice work dude. I will set up a link for you on my site
Posted by
Graeme |
9:21 PM
Yeah...we're screwed here in the US...because they won't forget the things over the years that have happened...and I don't blame them.
Posted by
sumo |
1:24 AM
Well, Graeme, your brother came out swinging!
Posted by
Frederick |
3:05 AM
Well done, brother! Glad to have another powerful activits writer on board. Excellent, just excellent.
Posted by
Peacechick Mary |
8:19 AM
came over from your brothers site...nice work..and later today i'll put you on my sidebar...welcome!!
Posted by
azgoddess |
11:02 AM
I rode over in the van with the others from your brothers place. We're just a bunch of old hippies. :)
That was an outstanding post and you covered the events and items so very well.
The only rights we have lost were those taken from us by the bush administration in the name of "safety". Seems he hates our rights more than anyone else.
Congratulations on your brand new, shiny blog. Enjoy!
Posted by
pissed off patricia |
2:22 PM
Thanks for the feedback and comments everyone.
However, the bad news is that this site may not be as prolific as Graeme's. I tend to let my schooling interfere with my education a little more than he does.
Posted by
Aaron A. |
6:09 PM
The true patriots are the ones who stand up to any injustice, whether committed by our country, our allies, or our enemies. The rest are just chauvinists, to blinded by pride to see the horrors of their actions.
Posted by
Lew Scannon |
6:55 PM
welcome to the neighborhood.
Posted by
Lily |
1:12 PM