Re: United States of Surface Structure -- jason's message board

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Subject: Re: United States of Surface Structure

Author:
Matthew Staub

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Date Posted: 16:45:41 05/26/02 Sun
In reply to: Steven 's message, "United States of Surface Structure" on 20:40:23 04/21/02 Sun

I've always framed the patriotism craze as a problem of absolute truth. In all situations, we are fed a single truth through the media, policy, and our own shortsightedness as a people. This being true, terrorists are always bad, our country is always good. They attack us because they are the bad guy, and in G.I. Joe the bad guy never really had to have a reason to attack the good guy, so we suddenly forget about how inflammatory our power flaunting can be and how really shitty treatment from the "good guy" might have given them some motive.

I'm not much of a believer in absolute truth. It drives my religious friends nuts. In every situation, there must be a truth! The only truth I can find in the "war on terrorism" (AKA another military based Bush re-election campaign) is that we are all wrong, and in that case, we moreso than them.

Amazing, in a democracy, which is by definition its aggregate of people--in a country that people seem to really like these days--they still don't want to help anyone less fortunate than themselves.

I don't think I'm speaking directly to your post, but I enjoyed it and am replying anyway. I face the same problems because I challenge people who make very bold and inflammatory comments about how great our country is. I guess we are overcompensating to cover the bruises to our giant ego. Maybe we should be a little more humble and realize a little humility might make us all get along a little better. Still, I don't think anyone understands when I refuse the "United We Stand" bumpersticker. Why be devisive now?

United We Stand? For what?

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