|
|
|
Drinking the Sea" -- of Terrorism ...,
Crime and Punishment (3) ...,
"The World, America's Playground" ...,
Reply to "The World, America's Playground" ...,
"Jews in Hitler's Army" ...,
The Indos' Enigma ...,
Fire Ants Attack Elephant ...,
Corporate Climax ...
'Drinking the Sea' - wonderful column - God bless - Kevin
Please support: http://www.antiwar.com and http://www.space4peace.org
Deo Gratias +
kevcross2@webtv.net
Dear WM you are so full of it. Are you trying to explain why snake
kills.
Pavel
Ask4Rav@aol.com
If you wanted to refer to a devil you made the wrong comparison; the snake fights strictly for survival. The devil is human with his grasp for power and exchange of cruelties. WM
You wrote in your "crime & punishment forever' that this isn't religious fundamentalism but nationalism that's the main drive in terrorism. It just shows how little you know those people. They are in the most obscure Middle Ages mentality. Nationalism is too modern for them and it's religious fanaticism that pushes them.
S. Triller
sylvin33@hotmail.com
May I disagree. I am definitely not a religious person but from what I know I may say that all monotheistic religions, even the harshest ones, have one common point: they have morality at the core. In all religions God is moral. Therefore nobody, in the name of God, can use innocent people, whatever sex and age, as sacrificial scapegoats. For any religion it would be a mortal sin to destroy planes and buildings full of civilians who have nothing to do with the fight. National causes have no such moral restrictions and when terror starts, legal restrictions are dead. WM
William
Excellent piece - are you American? I have recently written an email along almost exactly the same lines to government ministers here in the UK. I am amongst a minority here, but I thought that sentiments such as this were like hens teeth in the USA?
Martin Dasey
martin@dasey.org.uk
There many voices opposing the official line. One I am interested in is antiwar.com on the web. WM
Following the terrorist strikes in New York and Washington, the United States of America are demanding retaliation. Not only the American government, but also especially the American people want revenge. Judging by the images the whole World receives from America through television, every American citizen is extremely shocked with this human tragedy. It is the people first those who matter. Those who were killed were, above all, humans. Everybody in America seems to agree that the most important issue in those terrorist operations was the loss of human life. Since humans are all equal, regardless of their religious faiths, skin colour, nationality, gender, political opinions, sexual preferences and other personal tastes and convictions, one would think that Americans would be more concerned with the killing, oppression, torture and injustice that happens every minute, in other parts of the world, to their fellow humans. I don't have the feeling this is the case. History tells us that whenever America has been involved in any international issues, it was defending their own interests, rather than Humanity's. With the advance of information technology, that America developed and exploited, it is very hard indeed not to be informed on what is going on around the World. That would lead me to think that American citizens and their government consider only human the American people. But then again, even the American government kills American people. America, who believes to be the example for other countries to follow, is still killing dozens of people every year in their execution cells. The President himself, once the governor of Texas, has several assassinations weighing on his conscience. The sure fact that he is going to use military force only confirms the proven reality that he is a murderer. His actions are not any different when compared to the people who committed such horrible attacks in the United States on September 11th.
What I can perceive from this attitude, is that Human life is really not that important to Americans and especially the American government. From a simple humanistic point of view, fighting violence with violence is the least humanist of attitudes. All of this makes me believe, that more important that the human losses, it's the American Ego that suffered the biggest impact after this human tragedy.
But I don't think that all Americans are this way. I believe there are some real humanists among Americans. The trouble is, we don't see them on American television. At least, I haven't seen them. I can't believe there is absolutely nobody against a future military retaliation from the United States. American television, and CNN in particular, only air what they want to show, violating the very principle of Democracy. With the constant bombardment of information, extremely well produced, even when in live broadcast, American television makes viewers participate in this big scale, real time soap opera.
The media, who controls the reaction of the viewers, by knowing exactly which buttons to push, directs this soap opera. There is no difference in the production techniques and refinements between a news report and a romantic, heroic movie straight out of Hollywood. It's America against the evil forces. It's America against Godzilla, or Saddam Hussein, or Martians, or Ben Laden, or some obscure powers inspired by Star Trek. It's one big show, which a lot of people are following live from all over the World. In order to keep the program interesting, the media urges the government to do something, like striking back. More than once, during live interviews, reporters ask government members if they are going to do something soon, pointing out that the American public is asking for action and revenge. The government, fearing the public's reaction to a pacifist American attitude, has to respond accordingly, promising that the United States will strike back, and will win the war, against the enemy of the "civilized World".
In result, a dangerous wave of nationalism emerges in the American population.
Americans must wake-up, because they are being manipulated. Americans would be much more humble if the media first and the government second, would not tell them how great, good and powerful they are. Modesty has never been one of America's strengths. Like a spoiled kid that has been slapped for the first time, America is extremely angry, but does not know what to do. Let's just hope they react with a bit more maturity than they have shown to the rest of the world in the past.
America claims that the entire "civilized" world is on their side and supports any measures the United States will undertake. First of all, I would like to comment on the meaning of "civilized world". Since when is the "civilized world" considered to be only those industrialized countries that have economic links with the United States? What makes those countries believe that their "civilization" is the only one that is "civilized"? There is not one civilization, but several. There would exist even more, if our "civilized world" hadn't destroyed them in the past. As an example, I would like to know where the remnants of the North American Indian civilization are.
So, the "civilized world" is on America's side. I wonder why. It could be because all these countries really love America. But the real reason is something else.
America is like that fat, strong, obnoxious rich kid that no one likes to hang with. But he's got the physical power and he's got the money. Would you prefer to be on his side, even if you don't like him or his opinions, and receive money and protection from him, or be against him and suffer from his attacks and his gang of "friends"?
More than ever, western governments function and manage their countries as if they were a profit-oriented business. In order to achieve their goals, it is an important condition that their economy does not suffer. Human principles have never filled any state's money reserves. Governments have to decide whether they want to keep on "being prosperous" with the help of their rich friends, or have a peaceful conscience.
I dread the arrival of human loss images outside the "civilized world" to come in the near future, but I don't think it will be the American media that is going to vehicle them.
If Humanism, love for the fellow humans, admiration for their work, respect for their differences, gladness of their simple existence, would run the World instead of money, America would not be number one. "In God We Trust" is written on every American dollar bill. If America trusts God that much, why not follow God's son's example of offering the other cheek when someone slaps you? America, be humble. The simple fact of mixing religion and money in your greatest symbol, the dollar, shows the World that a very fundamental concept has not yet been grasped in your culture and more importantly, in your values. If money is so important to you that it deserves the mention of God on it, you will have to revise your view of Life, the World and the whole existence of the Universe. That's why old cultures or civilisations like the Asian, African and to some extent the European do not respect you deep in their hearts as much as you would like us to. Whenever anybody uses military force and violence, someone else will not be happy, strange but true. America's reaction to this problem is not going to bring peace and security to the World; it's just going to make it worse.
The same way the American government does not make any difference between the terrorists who committed this tragedy, and the state, or group of people who harbour them, the Palestinians and the extreme faction of the Muslim World do not make any difference between the Israelis, their secular enemies even long before the United States existed, and their financial, political and war equipment supporters. As much as I condemn any kind of violence, "legal" or terrorist, it is clear to me, that the United States are harvesting the fruit of the seeds they planted and watered in the recent past. I have always been very surprised that no terrorist attacks were perpetrated against the United States following the Vietnam War. Probably because either there was a lack of funding or because the old Vietnamese culture didn't see the point in striking back, for the damage was already great enough.
Even though Americans are taking their time to decide who, where and when to attack their "enemy", it is important to note that they actually have reacted in a very basic and instinctive way, which is, promising to reply back with violence, instead of introspection and self-judgement. The American government and most Americans promised revenge since the very first minute they realised that they had been attacked. If the Pope's power and stability would depend on the United States, even he would give his blessing to near future "civilized world" military strikes. I urge Americans to read and carefully look at the book "The Family of Man", realised after the international exhibition originated at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, by Edward Steichen, in 1953.
Perhaps you will find in the book two similar photographs of children playing. One of the images was taken in the United States, the other one in a Muslim country in the Middle East.
American people wonder why this tragedy happened to them. Look at your History. Look at conflicts where civilians were also killed, by the American military forces, in a much longer and painful way. Think of the Japanese civilian victims of World War II. Think of entire Vietnamese villages exterminated by American troops, with the help of napalm. Think of all the innocent men, women and children who agonize in Iraqi hospitals, because there is no medicine available, thanks to the American embargo. Since all of you are so human, think about the segregation the American government imposed on the American Black community for so long and until not so long ago.
America, the World does not owe you anything.
Do not assume that I am anti-American. I am only anti-injustice and anti-violence.
The proof is, that the United States are not alone in their hypocrisy. I can't remember seeing most European countries mourning the victims of other terrorist attacks. The number of fatalities should not be an issue if you are truly touched by this all too familiar tragedy. Only this time, it was the sacrosanct United States of America the nation aimed.
The European media and the European governments support all this mourning, flower buying, telegram sending, help offering and collective tear dropping, once again. In any case, it is a good excuse to get "closer" to the United States and profit from their power, since they are so generous. It is a good excuse as well to increase the pressure and destroy "their" own terrorists, such as the I.R.A., E.T.A. and Chechen separatist groups among others, only this time the United States will help them doing that. If we follow this line of thought, every nation or province aspiring to independence, will be treated like mere fanatical terrorist groups and consequently will be crushed by the "civilized World". Soon, pacifist demonstrations, against mondialization or any other "civilized World" projects, will be considered terrorist attacks and their organizers prosecuted.
Democracy will transform itself in a worldwide capitalist dictatorship.
If this is your ideal of a better World, Humanity will not last very long.
J. M. Ferreira
jmferreira@bluewin.ch
Geneva - Switzerland
Miguel, you say:
Since humans are all equal, ...< >... one would think that Americans would be more concerned with the killing, oppression, torture and injustice that happens every minute, in other parts of the world, to their fellow humans.
Miguel, are you talking about policy or about human beings? Why do you expect Americans to be thinking about killing, oppression and torture around the globe at the moment when they have been attacked?
With the advance of information technology, that America developed and exploited, it is very hard indeed not to be informed on what is going on around the World. That would lead me to think that American citizens and their government consider only human the American people.
You say Americans consider only themselves human even when there is so much information around. This is so unfair. 'Information' is cold. When you get the 'information' that a bus has crashed in Australia do you grieve as if it had happened down the street from you in Geneva? Or if you see someone killed by a hit and run driver do you feel as shocked as you do when you hear about an accident a mile away? Your answer is 'no' unless you are Mother Theresa in heaven. Does that mean that you consider only that the Swiss are the only humans?
But then again, even the American government kills American people. America, who believes to be the example for other countries to follow, is still killing dozens of people every year in their execution cells.
I'm with you -- against capital punishment. But you have the fate of being in a small country so the whole world doesn't notice that the Swiss are smug and self satisfied. Is America the only country that thinks it is an example for everyone to follow? Absolutely not! All of Europe looks at America and wonders why is America not so smart, so compassionate, so literate, so urbane, so sensitive to fine food and history as they are.
What I can perceive from this attitude, is that Human life is really not that important to Americans and especially the American government. From a simple humanistic point of view, fighting violence with violence is the least humanist of attitudes.
You take a couple of examples and then say that human life is not important to Americans -- they have the gall to fight violence with violence. Well let's say violence is not very '20th century' and the Americans haven't evolved out of that habit of reacting to violence. Again, they are no worse than anybody else except that more is expected of them. They don't live up to our expectations of a great power. They could do so much with their power. Well, start at home and see how you can perfect the 'little power country' of Switzerland.
But I don't think that all Americans are this way. I believe there are some real humanists among Americans. The trouble is, we don't see them on American television.
I've seen all types on American TV. Do you just watch CNN?
The media, who controls the reaction of the viewers, by knowing exactly which buttons to push, directs this soap opera.
The media is certainly doing a lot of this. I am not watching 24 hours a day but I have seen, read, and heard other voices. I agree that the media is conducting something very theatrical, but unlike other world situations, they can't really control this one. There are thousands of voices coming out everywhere, spontaneously. I'm hoping that this leads to some reflection.
The government, fearing the public's reaction to a pacifist American attitude, has to respond accordingly, promising that the United States will strike back, and will win the war, against the enemy of the "civilized World".
My optimistic view is that government does not fear a pacifist American attitude. The government has to respond to the anger and terror in the population by joining them on some level. This is a very tricky business. Bush is saying several things, such as, we are powerful, we are free, they are cowards, we will overcome this difficulty and telling the people to expect MORE. To me, it looks like he is trying to buy time, to get people to hold back. We don't see all that goes on. This morning Israel starts to look serious about negotiating, saying it will stop its offensive actions. I don't think they woke up this morning over in Israel and said, it's a beautiful day to start being more peaceful. I think they have been getting calls from Washington, among other things.
In result, a dangerous wave of nationalism emerges in the American population.
Yes nationalism is dangerous when you've been attacked. The whole world might be drawn in.
Americans must wake-up, because they are being manipulated. Americans would be much more humble if the media first and the government second, would not tell them how great, good and powerful they are. Modesty has never been one of America's strengths. Like a spoiled kid that has been slapped for the first time, America is extremely angry, but does not know what to do.
I see no reason for America to be humble or modest. America has not been slapped -- it has been attacked.
America claims that the entire "civilized" world is on their side and supports any measures the United States will undertake. First of all, I would like to comment on the meaning of "civilized world". Since when is the "civilized world" considered to be only those industrialized countries that have economical links with the United States?
Again, you despise America for saying the 'civilized' world is on their side. Too bad for their world view. America should be more sophisticated by now -- that stuff about the civilized world should have finished at the end of the 19th century. And you are on a continent that considers itself the civilized world but is just too fine to state it blatantly. But not you -- you come right out and say that 'old cultures' do not respect the U.S. as much as it would like. You wait until the end of your letter to say you are not anti American and to criticise the Europeans for joining in with the American despair.
As far as the responsibilities of being a great power go, what example did America have to follow -- the British Empire? Ancient Rome? Tsarism? America should be better. We just have to keep trying to rein in the natural inclinations of great power. Your criticism is not a bad thing even though it gets my goat.
Joanj37@hotmail.com
U.S.A.
Those two correspondents surpassed the usual length of Communication Page letters. I'd appreciate it if future contributors kept to about 500 words. WM
In your article in August 99, "Shaping Past History", you explain why some Germans in Toronto held the belief that Hitler was not dangerous; according to them the majority felt safe under Hitler. Then, in your article "Jews in Hitler's Army", you showed that even the stigmatized minority could get away. How can the Final Solution be explained in light of all this?
S. TrillerI thought my article "Jews in Hitler's Army" explained all this. In any case, let's come back to the topic: For Nazism, Anthropology was the most important issue. On such a narrow platform, neither a sophisticated ideology nor philosophy could take root. Contrary to defined systems like Communism or religious fundamentalism which intervene in all aspects of life, Nazism didn't have much to say to the masses except: "We are the master race." To many it was sufficient, others stopped listening to this kitsch-poetry and for those not interested in politics, life continued as if there were no Nazism. An SS-man, terrifying outside Germany, in the German hinterland wasn't considered to be much more than a gendarme. So, theoretical requirements such as race were treated more lightly at the rural, municipal, provincial levels.
Can you email me a bibliography for your essay "The Indos' Enigma."
thank you
Abhishek Patel
pateas1@wfu.edu
As you have certainly remarked, the essay is an overall view not a scholarly dissertation so no bibliography is included. My sources are dispersed, drawn from memory, based on general knowledge. WM
Hello William
I just talked to a character in the subway. We discussed the situation and he told me that he recently saw graffitti in Lausanne: "I pity you, we are dead and you fear for your life." WM
A recent interview by Michael Baumrind with the renowned author, Robert Wright, in issue 1 of the magazine "mental floss," explained how cultural evolution is perpetuated by technological advancements.
What the interview neglects to explore are the present-day threats to technological advancement that could instigate a cultural de-evolution.
Of primary concern should be the consolidation of power, as it threatens the competitive environment that fosters invention.
Every merger and acquisition speeds us towards an ultimately critical situation where a lack of corporate competition will reduce our technological inventions. As a consequence, our society will not have to adapt to increasing complexities and our cultural evolution will slow.
Moreover, corporations control the media that bring us the information that shapes our societal trends, movements and accepted ideology. In this way, corporate consolidation is an even more insidious threat to cultural evolution.
The article I cited above is a perfect example of political anthropology that developes interesting theories, but convienently avoids pursuing anything but a positive end-note. There were probably soothsayers in the dark ages who were "renowned" for telling people how good they had it and how much better they would have it if the status quo remained...
I don't want to live in a homogenized society without innovations... do you?
I have read your article and I agree that we should be able to solve the crisis logically. If these mouse and cat games continue, then the whole world will suffer. As you said, you do not have to kill them they are prepared to kill themselves. I think, in my opinion they have access to much broader facilities which can blow the whole world by pressing a button. That's scary to imagine.
Asghar Hosseini
ahosseini@awa.com.au
Corporate Climax
Heather Emerson
oneeyeblinking@hotmail.com
Back to the index of the Vagabond
© Copyright 2001 
William Markiewicz