|
|
(more...)
, (less...)
Add to My Group(s)
Add to My Group(s)
By Horace Coleman (about the author)
Become a Fan -- Page 2 of 5 page(s)
*For all its much advertised "freedom," the U.S. is prone to the usual social illnesses (homophobia, racism, sexism, religious bigotry, friction between economic and social classes and geographic regions, etc.).
Presidential candidate John McCain has called the interloper presidential candidate Barack Obama "the One." Some who consider McCain not conservative enough *and* those who find him too conservative call McCain "grandpa" or "McSame."
In Regard To Their Holy Texts, Adherence to and the Understanding Thereof
There are many authors, versions and translations and editions of the compiled "word."
Even benighted, low life, adulators, abominators and non believers say "Word!" in their profane and non Standard English conversations to indicate something has the seal of truth, importance and is "God ordained / blessed."
[Note: Many believers of Christianity seem to put more emphasis on, and give more respect to, Jesus than God. It seems the Son is revered more than the Father. Perhaps because the Son is seem as standing between humans and the righteous wrath of God. Although, in times and situations of dire distress, they seem to call on Each equally.
The United Statesians (they reserve the name Americans for themselves, believing they are superior and entitled–by the will of their version of Allah--to it. No one else--Inuit [Eskimos], the indigenous people some call Native Americans [some of whom insist on calling themselves by their national / tribal identifier], Canadians, Europeans, Asians, Mexicans, Central and South Americans, African American blacks or blacks from the West Indies or Africa living in the U.S. are ever truly "Americans."
Although many other peoples, cultures and nations pre date and excel them (or at least now have comparable morals, lifestyles and achievements), it is the belief of the "uber Americans" that they are inherently more entitled, intelligent, brave, shrewd, lucky, harder working and better people who are God's favorites. Consequently, they think, they should dominate and exploit every thing and one in existence.
This is the "Jesus / Bible backed belief" of at least seven of ten "Americans." Their typical rationalization is "the weird stuff I believe is true; but the weird stuff you believe is just weird!" Greed, fear, ignorance and the inability to let others have their norms on their terms rule.
The Declining United States' Economy and the Over Use of Military Power
Andrew J. Bacevich is a retired Army officer. He is a scholar (Boston University) specializing in international relations and history. He has written several books; most recently The Limits of Power. He was recently interviewed on Bill Moyers Journal.
(click here Excerpts are below.
[An excerpt from The Limits of Power is at: click here ]
Bill Moyers Interview (BMI): "How are we gonna pay the bills? How are we gonna pay for the commitment of entitlements that is going to increase year by year for the next couple of decades, especially as baby boomers retire?" Nobody has answers to those questions. So, I was pleased that these members of Congress understood the problem. I was absolutely taken aback when they said, "Professor, what can we do about this?" And their candid admission that they didn't have any answers, that they were perplexed, that this problem of learning to live within our means seemed to have no politically plausible solution.
(BMI) The National Security State was not able to identify the 9/11 conspiracy. Was not able to deflect the attackers on 9/11. The National Security State was not able to plan intelligently for the Iraq War. Even if you think that the Iraq War was necessary. They were not able to put together an intelligent workable plan for that war.
The National Security State has not been able to provide the resources necessary to fight this so called global war on terror. So, as the Congress has moved to the margins, as the President has moved to the center of our politics, the presidency itself has come to be, I think, less effective. The system is broken.
(BMI) The end of the Cold War coincided almost precisely with the first Persian Gulf War of 1990, 1991, Operation Desert Storm. Operation Desert Storm was perceived to be this great, historic, never before seen victory. It really wasn't.
(BMI) Politically, and strategically, the outcome of that war was far more ambiguous than people appreciated at the time. But nonetheless, the war itself was advertised as this great success, demonstrating that a new American way of war had been developed, and that this new American way of war held the promise of enabling the United States to exercise military dominion on a global basis in ways that the world had never seen.
(BMI) By and large, the generals did not speak truth to [U.S.] power.
(BMI) One of the striking things about the Iraq War, and in which we had been fighting against, technologically at least, a relatively backward or primitive adversary, one of the interesting things is they have innovated far more adeptly and quickly than we have.
Become a Fan -- Page 2 of 5 page(s)
Presidential candidate John McCain has called the interloper presidential candidate Barack Obama "the One." Some who consider McCain not conservative enough *and* those who find him too conservative call McCain "grandpa" or "McSame."
In Regard To Their Holy Texts, Adherence to and the Understanding Thereof
There are many authors, versions and translations and editions of the compiled "word."
Even benighted, low life, adulators, abominators and non believers say "Word!" in their profane and non Standard English conversations to indicate something has the seal of truth, importance and is "God ordained / blessed."
[Note: Many believers of Christianity seem to put more emphasis on, and give more respect to, Jesus than God. It seems the Son is revered more than the Father. Perhaps because the Son is seem as standing between humans and the righteous wrath of God. Although, in times and situations of dire distress, they seem to call on Each equally.
The United Statesians (they reserve the name Americans for themselves, believing they are superior and entitled–by the will of their version of Allah--to it. No one else--Inuit [Eskimos], the indigenous people some call Native Americans [some of whom insist on calling themselves by their national / tribal identifier], Canadians, Europeans, Asians, Mexicans, Central and South Americans, African American blacks or blacks from the West Indies or Africa living in the U.S. are ever truly "Americans."
Although many other peoples, cultures and nations pre date and excel them (or at least now have comparable morals, lifestyles and achievements), it is the belief of the "uber Americans" that they are inherently more entitled, intelligent, brave, shrewd, lucky, harder working and better people who are God's favorites. Consequently, they think, they should dominate and exploit every thing and one in existence.
This is the "Jesus / Bible backed belief" of at least seven of ten "Americans." Their typical rationalization is "the weird stuff I believe is true; but the weird stuff you believe is just weird!" Greed, fear, ignorance and the inability to let others have their norms on their terms rule.
The Declining United States' Economy and the Over Use of Military Power
Andrew J. Bacevich is a retired Army officer. He is a scholar (Boston University) specializing in international relations and history. He has written several books; most recently The Limits of Power. He was recently interviewed on Bill Moyers Journal.
(click here Excerpts are below.
[An excerpt from The Limits of Power is at: click here ]
Bill Moyers Interview (BMI): "How are we gonna pay the bills? How are we gonna pay for the commitment of entitlements that is going to increase year by year for the next couple of decades, especially as baby boomers retire?" Nobody has answers to those questions. So, I was pleased that these members of Congress understood the problem. I was absolutely taken aback when they said, "Professor, what can we do about this?" And their candid admission that they didn't have any answers, that they were perplexed, that this problem of learning to live within our means seemed to have no politically plausible solution.
(BMI) The National Security State was not able to identify the 9/11 conspiracy. Was not able to deflect the attackers on 9/11. The National Security State was not able to plan intelligently for the Iraq War. Even if you think that the Iraq War was necessary. They were not able to put together an intelligent workable plan for that war.
The National Security State has not been able to provide the resources necessary to fight this so called global war on terror. So, as the Congress has moved to the margins, as the President has moved to the center of our politics, the presidency itself has come to be, I think, less effective. The system is broken.
(BMI) The end of the Cold War coincided almost precisely with the first Persian Gulf War of 1990, 1991, Operation Desert Storm. Operation Desert Storm was perceived to be this great, historic, never before seen victory. It really wasn't.
(BMI) Politically, and strategically, the outcome of that war was far more ambiguous than people appreciated at the time. But nonetheless, the war itself was advertised as this great success, demonstrating that a new American way of war had been developed, and that this new American way of war held the promise of enabling the United States to exercise military dominion on a global basis in ways that the world had never seen.
(BMI) By and large, the generals did not speak truth to [U.S.] power.
(BMI) One of the striking things about the Iraq War, and in which we had been fighting against, technologically at least, a relatively backward or primitive adversary, one of the interesting things is they have innovated far more adeptly and quickly than we have.
California based essayist / poet. Background: university professor, public information officer, technical writer, proposal writer / editor, community college instructor. Vietnam veteran.
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
 Contact Author |
Contact Editor |
 View Authors' Articles |
Comments
The time limit for entering new comments on this article has expired.
This limit can be removed. Our paid membership program is designed to give you many benefits, such as removing this time limit. To learn more, please click here.
| No comments |