Hi Squonk!
SQUONK (previously):
"I am growing a little tired of hearing the word, 'Tragedy' being used in
connection with NY/Washington."
ROG (previously):
Ouch!
SQUONK:
You misunderstand me Rog.
What i am saying here is easily misunderstood and that is my fault.
I am attempting to draw attention in this opening to the unfortunate
divorcing of language from it's meaning.
Tragedy is all about not being able to escape the flaws of ones character.
No matter which way one turns, the character flaws will drag you down; that
is tragedy.
Describing the attack on the US as tragic is an inappropriate use of
language, but that has happened because the media uses so much over the top
language now that we are losing the correct ideas connected with words like
tragedy.
See?
So, when i say i am sick of hearing the word tragedy in connection with the
attack on the US, i am saying, 'Think about the language and you may see
that
it is not tragic, as it is not a character flaw induced fate that has
struck.'
ROG:
Perhaps on that side of the ocean the word is restricted to its Greek roots.
Here it also means "disastrous event" per Mr Webster.
SQUONK:
The US is a very arrogant culture, and this is reflected in its popular
culture.
The Hollywood illusion that nothing can overwhelm the US is a very dangerous
expectation for a powerful nation to believe in.
ROG:
Yes, perhaps. Some humility is often called for.
ROG (prev):
He didn't end there though, he also commented that he "understand[s] why
the US was attacked" and even hinted that it is our moral obligation to
change, as we are
a country of oil-stealing "degenerate Christians" and a "pod of spoiled
brats."
SQUONK:
1. I understand why lovers can commit crimes of passion? But intellectually
recognising i entertain this understanding does not mean i am about to run
down the street with a gun in my hand shooting indiscriminate members of my
neighbourhood does it?
ROG:
Nope.
S:
2. The US does have a very cosy relationship with oil producers well away
from its shores where is does not have to live with the ruinous consequences
of its greed.
R:
Cozy relationships? How is stealing a 'cozy relationship'? Please support
your argument.
S:
3. 'Christ like' individuals, which is what the term, 'Christian' means, do
not worship money or false idols. They do worship simply God, and follow
Christ's lived example. How many Americans do you know who are like Christ
Rog? And yet, how many wish for God to bless America? You may begin to see
why such Christians are suitably described as, 'Degenerate?'
R:
I believe a Christian is a person that believes Jesus died for their sins. I
know many that follow his teachings, and the tend to be a pretty balanced
group overall. Some are middle class, some lower, some upper. None worship
money.
S:
4. You know that fat kid in 'Hook' who never stops blowing off?
R:
Yea, he was English though wasn't he?
S:
I fear many more are going to get allot more than they deserve before this
is
over.
R:
That is apparent. September 11th was a wakeup call that a small band of
radicals can cause unimaginable damage. They are planning to do a great deal
of damage. The real horror is what they can do with biological and nuclear
weapons. This event could be a turning point in history that allowed us to
see what could have been (the wipeout of a majority of France, Italy or
England for example). There is no gaurantee that we will be able to stop it,
but there is a better chance than we have just sitting and waiting. (this of
course assumes responding does not fuel the fire -- a risk which must be
carefully avoided)
S:
I live in England and have watched as my country has been slowly assimilated
into a US capitalist Empire. In a sense i am happy that your giant got it,
and i agree with you when you say this is mean spirited and cruel. I
apologise for that.
But it's the giant i am not happy with.
When i think of the individuals i feel sick and my heart aches for every
single individual who died or left behind kids.
R:
We are a direct continuance of Britain and her ideals.
S:
But it's not them or you i find repulsive Rog; it's a certain social
devaluing of life in terms of capital; a manipulation of language that
disguises reality and quantifies everything.
It's a, 'Sod you jack i'm all right' attitude that kills in a very real
sense
the weakest souls on Earth from a distance, and leaves it's own War veterans
cold on its Winter midnight streets.
Some things have just got to change?
R:
Are we really that much worse than everywhere else? Can you give some support
(other than biased annectdotes) for your hypothesis that America devalues
life more or less than any place else? Or that our war veterans are treated
better or worse than any other countries? Your personal experience from
travels would even suffice if that is all you have to draw from.
Peace,
Rog
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