Why can’t I see what bin Laden says on television? Bush and co. say it’s not good for the war effort. We don’t want the terrorists to spout their vitriol. Where are we living? Nazi Germany? China? The decision about what we are allowed to see and read is being made by a group of people who have their own motives and interests. I thought we were supposed to be the shining light of freedom and openness in the world. I guess not. I found some good links at www.antiwar.com. You should check it out.
The more information that comes out the more it would appear that we’re sliding inexorably towards fascism. When I read this I felt like I was living in a bad dream. Hollywood and the White House are getting cozy again. Hollywood wants to cash in on patriotic zeal and the White House are eager to use the media power of Hollywood. Basically, the White House brought some rules over about how to tell the story of this war. In any other country, this would be considered the skillful manufacture of propaganda. Here are the administration’s “talking points” (Is this some sort of corporate speak? This term just started appearing like 3 years ago), I will take the liberty of translating into real words when necessary:
- The war is directed against terrorism, not Islam. Don’t point out Islamic opposition to the ‘war’.
- Americans must be called to service. Americans must obey
- Support for the troops is needed. If you dissent, you are a murderer
- The terrorist attack was a global attack, which requires a global response. We have the right to take this perpetual war anywhere we want.
- This is a war against evil. Anyone who disagrees with this war is evil
- We have a responsibility to reassure our children. Brainwash the children.
- Instead of propaganda, the war effort requires “concrete information told with honesty and specificity.” We need propaganda that doesn’t look like propaganda.
Jean Baudrillard has an interesting analysis about the WTC crash as a spectacle. If you can read french get the whole thing here.
An advertising call to arms! It’s always time to make a quick buck.
Some German teachers got into some big trouble for daring to question the American War. That’s a definite downside to teaching. You have to always toe the official line.
Why is the Mideast less then thrilled with the United States? Look to history. We’ve been fucking that whole region over for 50 years. Political coups, assassinations, invasions. You name it. This reminds me of the last chapters of Empire of the Sun by J.G. Ballard. There is a good exchange between Jamie, the young protagonist and Mr. Tulloch, an adult prisoner at the same Japanese internment camp.
- “Mr. Tulloch, is the war over?” Jim asked. “Really over?”
“The war…?” Tulloch seemed to have forgotten that it had ever taken place. “It better be over, lad — anytime now the next one’s going to begin.”
That passage just reminds me how much of the past is a sick joke. In the past fifty plus years since the last World War there has never really been peace. There has not even been an attempt at peace. The United States has been fomenting war and destruction non-stop. Our military has become nothing but a hired gun for the multinationals that own the country.