Haven't kept up

Well, I haven't done too well keeping up with this blog. I did pretty well with my reading. Never did finish The Best and the Brightest. I need to get back to that.

It seems in a way, that the parallels are too obvious, though I haven't gotten very far to confirm this. I have this problem with the books I've read about Iraq and the reaction to 9/11. While I learn new facts about some of the behind the scenes actions, those facts really only confirm what I already surmise from the news that I read about what is happening over there, and within our government.

In my younger days I would have worked this information into my everyday life. I also argued a hell of a lot more in those days. I cannot work up the energy to do so anymore. It seems all of the pro-war arguments have really been exhausted, but what is left is a reliance on information that is not made public. It is difficult to argue against unseen and unknowable facts. One can cast skepticism on the fact that those facts exist and fight little battles to get at information that has been classified unnecessarily, but it does not seem that as a nation we can stomach exercises that actually require that we engage our attention.

My biggest gripe right now is that those who pose as the protectors against terrorism and terrorists actually sound like the most fearful people in the world. These are threats that we need to take seriously, but I can think of no less serious response then for those who aspire to power to play on a nations worst fears. Eschaton captures this sentiment perfectly. Seriousness does not equal fear.

This is perhaps the best point that Michael Moore makes in Bowling for Columbine, illustrated in this cartoon.