I tend to agree with Janet's thoughts on this, but still... in context it's fairly absurd. Between this and the Barbara Bush thing, I think the Onion needs to change their headline from "God Outdoes Terrorists Yet Again" to "Reality Outdoes 'The Onion' Yet Again".
There is a streak in the American character of profound discomfort with the suffering of others. It could have been us; we know it and we desperately don't want to know it. We have to shout, point, condemn, justify, act and talk like utter louts to drive the discomfort away.
I couldn't phrase it better myself; I could cite several examples just amongst people I know. Hell, I could link livejournal posts. It frightens me how situations like this bring out the foaming-at-the-mouth-and-falling-over-backwards instinct in many people; "you know what, fuck the people in New Orleans, people die senselessly every day" is one quote from an acquaintance that springs to mind.
I'm deeply disgusted at this point... completely in awe, really. I'm sure there are people down there with guns, but using terms like "the insurgency" is a conscious and loaded choice. It ups the level of tension and hostility in an area where hostility NEEDS to be downplayed if they're going to make any progress. Whoever is making such statements, they shouldn't villanize more than is necessary at this point. It can't possibly be helping.
Infinite thanks for posting about this. I hadn't heard a thing about it!
I just submitted a drabble in the key of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and had entirely too much fun writing it. I could have kept on like that for hours...
| Year | Number of comments posted |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 |
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