This nation was hardly perfection during the Vietnam era, but at least we had some moral compass, requiring that the worst atrocities be denied or covered up. Now... not so much.
-- Badtux the Puzzled Penguin
In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin.
The religious right is motivated by the suspicion that someone, somewhere,
is having fun -- and that this must be stopped.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Whither the "moral compass"?
I just don't know what has happened to this country. Back during the Vietnam War, when it was discovered that U.S. GI's had burned down a village that was thought to be a Viet Cong stronghold, rendering hundreds of civilians homeless, there was outrage. Now we destroy entire cities like Fallujah and there's... (crickets). Back then, the President had to fabricate an attack against America to get support to go to war. Now, the President just says that so-and-so might be a threat sometime, somehow, someway, and the American people happily give him the power to go to war. Back then, Americans were outraged when the President committed criminal acts such as spying on his fellow American citizens. Now... [crickets]. Back then, allegations that the U.S. might send prisoners to 3rd world countries to be tortured ("rendition") would have been treated with horror and disgust. Now, it's "ho hum!".
3 comments:
Ground rules: Comments that consist solely of insults, fact-free talking points, are off-topic, or simply spam the same argument over and over will be deleted. The penguin is the only one allowed to be an ass here. All viewpoints, however, are welcomed, even if I disagree vehemently with you.
WARNING: You are entitled to create your own arguments, but you are NOT entitled to create your own facts. If you spew scientific denialism, or insist that the sky is purple, or otherwise insist that your made-up universe of pink unicorns and cotton candy trees is "real", well -- expect the banhammer.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.
Sadly, to answer your question.
ReplyDeleteBread and Circus.
Americans are fat, lazy, and comfortable. War costs them nothing. Not their money (Repub Tax Cuts), their children (no draft), or their conscience (our media). Why would they care?
Much as Rome did in keeping the populace in that condition, the United States is doing the same. Unfortunately, we will most likely meet the same fate as the Roman Empire.
David,
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right in what you stated. Unless it affects them personally, most Americant don't want to be bothered by what is happening. Katrina? That is in that poor state in the south. Severe drought in the SE? Too bad they can't water their lawns. Dumping mercury into the Great Lakes? Not to worry -- we don't get our water from there.
Now if the cable box goes on the fritz, then you'll see some rapid action to get the cable company to fix it ASAP.
Yeah, we've already gone into decline, and don't even care....
I have been rebuilding my music library in digital over the past couple years and have been re-listening to all the old rock of the 60's and 70's that I haven't heard in 20 years. There is a definite difference in the music. The music of the late is soulest pablum. The the 60's generation you can hear and feel the fire in the belly even though we are 40 year removed.
ReplyDelete