Mood: Depressed
Sep. 15th, 2004 08:48 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dwgmMy dear ones, I know you don't remember the helpless disillusionment of the '60's and early '70's. You will perhaps say that no, we weren't helpless, that the war was protested strongly. Yet it went on and on anyway, as you know, and it was later revealed that our leaders, people who supposedly cared for us and our country, concealed information, distorted information, let themselves turn a blind eye to truth that might have spared the lives of so many.
In many ways the world is a better place than it was a hundred, or even fifty years ago, and I try to keep that in focus to fuel the optimism that seems much more natural to me than despair. But human nature is what it is, and there are too many people who still consider violence, and particularly large scale violence, to be a viable solution to life's problems, and too many people who allow themselves to be sucked in by a shiny package of lies and propaganda and false patriotism. It breaks my heart. This country can be great, in very many ways it is great, but we need to look at ourselves with clear vision and see ourselves as citizens of the World, not just as Americans.
I generally try not to think of this stuff much, as it does provoke such a feeling of helplessness. However,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
firesignwriter posted this link, and I could not remain silent.
In many ways the world is a better place than it was a hundred, or even fifty years ago, and I try to keep that in focus to fuel the optimism that seems much more natural to me than despair. But human nature is what it is, and there are too many people who still consider violence, and particularly large scale violence, to be a viable solution to life's problems, and too many people who allow themselves to be sucked in by a shiny package of lies and propaganda and false patriotism. It breaks my heart. This country can be great, in very many ways it is great, but we need to look at ourselves with clear vision and see ourselves as citizens of the World, not just as Americans.
I generally try not to think of this stuff much, as it does provoke such a feeling of helplessness. However,
firesignwriter posted this link, and I could not remain silent.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-09-15 11:50 am (UTC)The war and the complacent and even approving attitude of much of the public and press toward it is what makes me ANGRY. As far as I'm concerned there are people dying over there because of oil and Bush's connections with that industry. And yet he is ahead in the polls.
No, I don't despair for humanity. I am close to despair at the willingness of the American public to be taken in by the powers-that-be, and by the media, and at the attitude of 'My Country: Love It Or Leave It' that seems to be equated with support of this war.
How soon they forget.
no subject
Date: 2004-09-15 12:06 pm (UTC)and I definitely know what you mean. This country does sort of appear to be going to Hell in a handbasket, in some ways. but actually, the fact that much of the world hates Bush is almost reassuring... the rest of the world recognizes that this is a needless waste of life, money, effort, etc. It's just our own country, held in the thrall of publicity and as you say, a sort of fervent and blind patriotism which is frightening and destructive (in my opinion) that can't see the waste of it all. I wish there was a way to change the media... more people should watch the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. They've got the media's number, and they make ruthless fun of it. it certainly makes me feel better to watch it!