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It can't possibly be good sign that you find yourself fantasising about anyone's violent death - even David Blunkett.
Particularly David Blunkett, I’d say. It’s a fantasy, Flyboy, and I’m sure many of us apparently enlightened Barblers have the same or similar. He’s right behind his Dear Leader in proposing to slaughter thousands Iraqi civilians in ten days’ time and would that that were mere fantasy. In my version, I’m Olivier and he’s Hoffman, in the dentist’s chair. *dzzzzzzzz…*
but aren't I in favour of freedom of speech
I see no dilemma here. Hitchens talks sense, in his contrarian way, much of the time. Then sometimes he talks shite. It is a sad thing that his instinct seems to drive him so frequently round the bend these days. The staff job at Vanity Fair has diminished him, perhaps. He deserves no favours from any of us just because his gormless brother’s even more repellent. At least he’s articulate as he pisses me off.
I think Jack’s right, echoed by many others, that the impending war has poisoned our well here to some extent. Not surprisingly really, given the preponderance here of a more internationalist and generally liberal Weltanschauung. We Care A Lot but have Faith No More.
These are intensely frustrating times and Bengali’s on the nail when she points out that the less control we have in the major areas of our lives (eg … whether there's a vast and appalling war) the more desperately we try to control the things that we *can*. It’s the global politics metaphor for anorexia and obsessive–compulsive disorder.
The science of gathering mental health statistics was not, historically, sufficiently well developed to give exact data but such reliable indicators as researchers have had to work with (e.g. suicide rates) show that people tend to have fewer mental health problems in a time of war. Obviously there’s an increase in all forms of distress for a few but, for those on the Home Front, and even for the majority of serving men, a national war effort (whether you support it or not) has this strange and perspective-shifting effect.
The corollary to that finding, however, is that the anxiety and frustration inherent in the unstable pre-war build up and the long come down and reality check that follows any war (plus the inevitable ruin and hardship of so many lives) has a very profound effect on the mental health of anyone who is paying attention.
In this instance, we are all better informed and more educated about the issues than we would have been in any comparable period. We have access to so much more information about geopolitical manoeuvring and are much more cynical, with the benefit of hindsight, about the supposed gains any war leader promises us.
I like that cynicism and if that means we see more cynicism expressed on the board, I have no problem with that. What impresses me is that there’s not more kneejerk attitude dancing to be seen here, when it’s prevalent every where else currently. People are well able to argue their points and supply a rationale. It would be no bad were there some brave posters putting a more contrary point of view about this whole fish kettle. I really want to hear an argument in favour of this war that can be sustained beyond an appeal to bloodlust or saluting the flag.
The board is a better place for people thrashing out the issues, with respect for other points of view and some elegance of expression. Like Haus, I don’t we are all heading in the same direction here although there is certainly much meeting of minds on many issues. Nevertheless, I’ve had my mind changed and my attitudes influenced by contrary opinions to mine I’ve read here. Or sharpened my thinking about my stubborn dissidence. I could also borrow Knodge’s plank on some occasions, the better to vent my splenetic ire, but there’s an admirable etiquette here, by and large, which inhibits such nostalgie de la boue.
And that degree of frustration is bound to erupt, in echo of the international situation, unless you’re utterly insensitive to the miasma of hypocrisy and abuse of power which surrounds us. I wish, how I wish, I could agree with autopilot disengaged’s optimism: we are witness to US hegemony falling apart in public. I suspect Bush’s latter–day Palmerston act is a manifestation of shameless and unfettered Repulican US hegemony that we are all powerless to influence, which is here for the foreseeable future, and will wreak havoc internationally.
I share Flux’s despondency in having pretty much resigned myself to the idea that Bush is probably going to win the next election (without even having to rig it) but, as a Brit, I feel the same despondency and considerable shame that Blair and his apparatchiks are rolling over for the shrub to tickle their tummies.
I have enjoyed this thread a lot and the more so for finding it in The Conversation. That has allowed it to be more about the emotional consequences of all the warmongering in the air we breathe, rather than expecting a more cerebral Headshop or Switchboard attack.
God, I’ve rambled on. This is now one of those interminable posts I look at and then think “later maybe, I’ll just revert to frothhead mode and be a cybertart for a bit…” I want some surcease from all this tension and unease. Taking my lead from Lullaboozler: Now, where's that chocolate bar thread...
*Xoc will now take gleeful refuge in divine Weimar Republic decadence* |
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). People come to this bulletin board for many different reasons. Some posters feel a sense of community and shared ideals, but by no means most or all.