From: Samantha Atkins (samantha@objectent.com)
Date: Sun Apr 06 2003 - 00:47:19 MST
Robert J. Bradbury wrote:
> Maureen Dowd as written a quite telling commentary on the
> life of Michael Kelly, a journalist who recently died in Iraq.
>
> "The Best Possible Life"
> http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/06/opinion/06DOWD.html?pagewanted=print
>
> To me there was one telling comment:
> "Michael died for two things he believed in: Journalism and ridding
> the world of jackboots."
>
> If individuals who have evolved in the cultural perspective of Europe,
> Australia, Asia, etc. do not understand that comment then you do not
> understand the USA and the individuals who live here. [Its about
> "freedom" and we are willing to die to give others that -- I believe
> that is an extropic vector -- to offset that one has to make a concrete
> argument that the extremely disconcerting losses outweigh the benefits.]
>
Perhaps the Europeans have a bit more direct experience than we
do with supposedly high ideals used as rationalization or even
when honest high ideals leading to jackboots. Personally, I
find it utterly appalling that intelligent people can speak as
if our reason for this war is to bring freedom to the Iraqis.
More freedom may eventually be a consequence - a very long
maybe. But it is certainly not our true motive. It is becoming
a bit of successful brainwashing that giving the Iraqis freedom
is why we are there. Sad how gullible human beings are.
- samantha
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