…on the current events. They might well be totally unrealistic (you know how bad I am with politics and economy), but nevertheless.
First of all, let’s remember what Kristin was saying during the Kaycee affair: things will be accepted as true because they have been heard or repeated over and over again, rather than because they make rational sense. This is the principle which allows urban legends to spread—and this is the reason media coverage is so crucial for public opinion.
People are repeating that if the US do not react (understand: strike, attack, military), it is opening the door to more terrorist actions in the future. This is being repeated so much that nobody puts the statement into question—but I definitely think it should be. I don’t believe that aggression in return for aggression is the best solution (or the only one, for that mattter).
It makes much more sense to turn to the inside, concentrating on the security issues and politics which have brought about such a situation, rather than rush into military action and bomb terrorist camps in retaliation. Vengeance makes one look weak.
Force used as a response to force can only lead to escalation of violence, particularly in a world where more than one nation has the necessary power to blow up the whole planet.
At first I was worried (like many people, I guess) that the US would react in a stupid way. I think that as time goes by, anger will cool down, and the risk of some disastrous response will become less.
As for Bush, it seems that this tragedy may in some way be a stroke of luck as far as his career is concerned. Look at the polls: 86% of americans (or something like that) approve his handling of the crisis. From a president who was not convincing to many, he has turned into a hero. This is clearly a case of what Thomas Nagel calls “moral luck”. Outside circumstances are giving him a chance to turn otherwise doubting public opinion into his favor.
I completely agree with you, but I am still reeling from people’s
outbursts when I stated opinions similar to yours. There has been a
massive outpouring of patriotism here, and people are highly charged on
the issue. No one is thinking rationally, and they are more than willing
to ostracize you if you disagree. Those of us who question the
government’s actions have suddenly been reduced to the status of
“Un-American.” It’s scary and intimidating.
While we’re at it, there is another thing that bugs me: people marvel at
the fact that this attack is “bringing the world together”, that the US
and NY are showing so much solidarity…
It’s true, of course, but it’s such a normal phenomenon. Facing a common
ennemy brings people together. It is a common tactic used to solidify
groups. There is nothing to marvel about, it’s a human reaction.
A comment on bush’s carreer prospects… one piece on CNN.com observed
that war leaders are normally not reelected after a war because public
opinion swings the other way once piece is acheived. The examples given
were Churchill and Bush Sr. In any case Bush and his handlers would have
to be insane to start a war in afghanistan (or anywhere) for political
reasons.
The more I listen to what Bush says on TV, the more I get the impression
that he is not trying to calm down people, but that he keeps on
dramatizing. Does anybody else have the same opinion?
While we're at it, there is another thing that bugs me: people marvel at
the fact that this attack is “bringing the world together”, that the US
and NY are showing so much solidarity…
It's true, of course, but it's such a normal phenomenon. Facing a common
ennemy brings people together. It is a common tactic used to solidify
groups. There is nothing to marvel about, it's a human reaction.