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Journal Red Warrior's Journal: because they are hard 30

Journal by Red Warrior
Make y'all a deal, if you read "EMPIRE" on your own, this will be the last cut n paste job for a while! :-)

Damn, I wish I could write half as eloquently as this man. From the essay Confidence:

Next time you look at the moon, challenge yourself to think of something: there are footprints up there. Footprints, and tire tracks. Also three used cars, and one golf ball.

Why are they there? Because we decided to go to the moon, that's why. What a typically arrogant, unilateral, American conceit! Damn right it was, and that footprint - you know the picture - will still be there, unchanged, a million years from now.

......

But somewhere out there, somewhere, there will be four battered, unrecognizable hunks of aluminum and titanium and gold, spinning through deep space, their names recalling the spirit in which they were hurled into the abyss: Pioneer, and Voyager. And the day before the Universe dies, you'll still be able to dimly make out the stripes and dotted square, and read the words in the ancient language, from a dead race in the far distant past, when the stars were young and alive: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

There are at least five nations on the earth that had the technical skill, not to mention the money, to do something as grand and noble - as immortal -- as this. Yet only one has done so. Why us? Why not them?

Confidence. That's why.

... And we are a confident nation. Indeed, the quality, more than any other, that is admired by friend and foe alike is our optimism, our sense of hope for the future. We may be condemned overseas for our many flaws, but it's hard to argue with an optimist who is willing to roll up his sleeves. And when we, as a nation, decide to do something...it gets done. We sometimes fail. We pay the price, fix the failures, and go on. Footsteps on the moon.

[switch to Iraq]

These are hard times, psychologically, to be a person who loves America. Hard because we do, indeed, wish to be liked by the rest of the world. Hard because we know in our hearts that we are good people, decent people who do not leap for joy at the chance to spill the blood of our own children and spend untold treasure just to have the hateful, pornographic thrill of seeing brown people blown to bits.

Yet we are accused of exactly this, and worse. We hear of polls saying that upwards of 75% of countries like England and France see the United States as the greatest danger to the world, and it knocks the wind out of us. No, that can't be right. Can it? Can they really believe that?

Some do. Many do.

Some of this emotion is genuine, real fear and panic brought on by our unparalleled success, and our past miscalculations and blunders. Some of it is envy, pure and simple. Some is driven by pain, the pain of lost greatness and glory. Some is projection, a sense of how tempting it might be to hold such power, from countries with histories of real empires, real governors, and real subjugation.

And some of it - much of it - is intentionally aimed at our decency, our sense of restraint and isolation, our desire to get back to our own happy and safe lives and turn our back on the world lost in the delusion that we long to possess it.

The protestors we have seen recently know this is very well. They accuse us of being Nazis. We hear people from Berkeley and Santa Monica railing that they live in a Police State, no better than the one in Iraq. They claim we want nothing but oil, filthy lucre - and ascribe to our determined action the most base motives they can devise: sheer profit. Diversion from economic woes. Racism. Paternal guilt. Bloodlust. The list goes on and on.

Like the terrorists we also face in these quietly desperate times, these people seek to attack us where we are the most vulnerable, and for the anti-American multitudes that means our confidence. They know as well as we do that if we were the cruel, bloodthirsty and vicious killers they claim us to be that they would all be dead in unmarked graves. Gandhi, after all, succeeded in freeing India because his non-violent strategy was aimed at the British - another fundamentally decent and humane people. Had he tried this against Hitler or Stalin we would never have heard of him, for he would be yet another of the nameless, faceless millions taken away in the night, never to be seen again.

Knowing we are a moral people, knowing that we want above all else to do the right thing, knowing that the idea of invasion and war is a hateful and desperate last resort for us, they target their message to our conscience and confidence, little decency-seeking missiles like BUSH = HITLER, NO BLOOD FOR OIL and GIVE PEACE A CHANCE. These people know that the only thing capable of stopping a determined America is America herself.

We can argue these points until we are blue in the face. But the easiest way to convince these people is to simply have them ask an Iraqi, or a Cuban, or a Pole what it is like living in this vile pit of corruption called America. They may want to ask these questions behind safety glass, for the reaction to this kind of question from people who have known true misery and oppression is usually quite explosive, an outburst of rage and fury at the insult being leveled at them.

So for you people still against the Liberation of Iraq, you who claim that the People Spoke during the demonstrations, I have a single question for you:

During those protest marches, where were the Iraqis? There are many tens of thousands of these people living here and abroad. Seemingly to a person, they are passionately for intervention to free their countrymen and their relatives. If your theory is correct, they would be the loudest voices calling for peace and American withdrawal.

So I ask you again: Where are the Iraqis?

From another essay:

Terrorism can never, never destroy this nation. They may kill thousands of us, perhaps even take one of our cities - cities they could never build, filled with people they can never be. Perhaps it will be my city. Perhaps it will be me. But if they do, life will go on. Some things are bigger and more important than our own lives. America can survive the loss of a city. America can survive the loss of all her cities. Because our image and idea of America lives in our hearts, and as long as there are Americans alive in the world, America will survive.

This discussion was created by Red Warrior (637634) for no Foes, but now has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

because they are hard More

because they are hard

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  • When he publishes all of these in a book, I'm buying 10.
  • (I'm just contrary by nature.)

    These people know that the only thing capable of stopping a determined America is America herself

    Actually, those people--those long-haired, short-sighted liberals who vote their freedoms away--ARE America. And so is the flannel-wearing republican who votes their wealth away, the unscrupulous lawyer who only cares about his billable hours, the doctor who passes up wealth and glory to help the destitute, the soldier who goes to Iraq with goodwill in his heart, and the crimin
    • We circle ever upward and outward, not because we are guided by a moral king or a corrupt CEO, but because the aggregate mass of all these American factions can agree on the general direction in which this country should travel.

      uhm... I'm still waiting for the contrary part... I agree with everything you wrote. We don't have better people. We have a better concept.

      The great thing about America is that is great warts and all. Maybe in spite of the warts. Maybe because of the warts. What annoys it's detract

      • What annoys it's detractors the most is that we can accept our faults and STILL be the greatest nation on earth.

        OK, here's the contray part. (Or not.)

        We don't accept our faults. We hate each other, we mistrust each other, and if the rest of the world suddenly joined our country we'd split apart and never speak to each other again.

        But, like you said, we have a better concept--no one body is in charge. The best any minority can do is move the rudder of the nation--they can't change the wind of the peop
        • We don't accept our faults.

          But we do. How many socialists burn down businesses? Remarkably few. How many capitalists burn down the socialist party headquarters? Remarkably few.

          An example: Every 4 years, we potentially change ruling parties. In 2000, there was a very close, very contested change of power. How many people were killed in the ensuing battle for power?

          The best county, warts and all. And we spend and amazing amount of time and energy looking for and trying to fix warts. See ACLU. See Sierra Cl

    • Actually, those people--those long-haired, short-sighted liberals who vote their freedoms away--ARE America. And so is the flannel-wearing republican who votes their wealth away, the unscrupulous lawyer who only cares about his billable hours, the doctor who passes up wealth and glory to help the destitute, the soldier who goes to Iraq with goodwill in his heart,

      That was the point...

      and the criminal who tortures the Iraqis in the worst prison in use today.

      Bzzt. There almost certainly aren't any Iraqi

      • There almost certainly aren't any Iraqis in the worst prison in use today

        That Iraqi prison where the abuses took place--the name escapes me--was, by what I've heard, the worst prison in Saddam's toltarian regime. Considering that Americans degenerated to torture there, writing the actual prison building off as "the worst ever" and tearing it down is fairly prudent (even if only politically.)

        the Depression was hugely exacerbated by federal intervention with the stated aim of fixing the economy

        Yeah. T
        • Considering that Americans degenerated to torture there, writing the actual prison building off as "the worst ever" and tearing it down is fairly prudent (even if only politically.)

          A good PR move, perhaps, but claiming it is the worst in the world would be fundamentally dishonest - indeed, it almost certainly isn't even the worst US prison!

          Yeah. That federal reserve system and stock market regulation have done crap for us. And the original NRA never helped anyone at all--I mean, look at how EVERYONE che

  • This book needs to go on the list of "must reads".

    He is very eloquent in saying that we are all different in subtle (and some not-so-subtle) ways, but it's the position of

    • You must worship OUR God...treat your women the way we treat OUR women...live by OUR rules and laws, because only OUR laws are RIGHT

    that truly STINKS. The idea that one way of thinking/acting/doing is the ONLY way is ludicrous. And anyone who does not follow that "way" must be forced to change their thinking or die.

    I thank God, the G

    • um, metoo, and let me just say that one of our close friends got shipped out this week. He was in the Air Force Reserves, and got called up to serve his country in active duty.

      I am greatful to the men and women who serve their country for protecting our rights as human beings and Americans.

      [insert patriotic speech here]
      • Are they still doing 90 day deployments, or did they change over to 120? I've heard that for some specialities, it is even longer. I've actually be thinking of switching over to the AF Reserve. Their deployment policies seem so much more humaine.

        Anyway, my prayers go out to him for a safe and speedy return.

  • Why are you still reading this guy? I thought I got through to you [slashdot.org]! Ah well...

    Tell you what - I'll buy you a copy of On the Genealogy of Morals, which says essentially all the same things, but was written by someone who was actually eloquent and intelligent.

    BONUS - One point I forgot to make in the above-linked comment: during the Civil War, one half of the participants were Americans, and they lost in humiliating disgrace. What does that say about our national character? It is a rhetorical question. M
    • but was written by someone who was actually eloquent and intelligent. ...My point is that the author is a mere sophist, nothing more.

      Closely reasoned, and well-argued there!

      What can I say, in the presence of such incisive commentary?

      • What can I say, in the presence of such incisive commentary?

        How about

        "Yes, I shall run right out and obtain a copy of said work by afforementioned philosophical giant."

        PLEASE KEEP IN MIND: I did read "Strength." I was reading this guy waaaay before you started posting him last week. I mean, holy shit, look over here: I've got you beat by 18 fucken months [slashdot.org].

        My point: you keep implying that I am close-minded, unreflective, etc. How far from the truth! I, at least, am seeking out diverse voices. Please
        • My point: you keep implying that I am close-minded, unreflective, etc. How far from the truth! I, at least, am seeking out diverse voices. Please forgive me if I find some voices to be mortally flawed and say as much!

          Not at all. All I ask is that you state a better reason than "He's a doodie head!" What I am stating (NOT implying) is that your post didn't rise to the level of serious commentary. It still doesn't. I'll check out your 18 month old post and see if you did better back then. ;->

          So...until

          • One wonders: Did you even read my earlier attempt at serious commentary [slashdot.org]?

            Because your interpretation of my analysis boils down to "[I think] he's a doodiehead," then the only conclusion we may reach is a resounding "No." Next time, I suppose, I'll just have to just copy-paste my old comments - this whole "hyperlink" thing is overrated anyway.

            Anyway, please make an effort to read the above linked commented, and then read (re-read?) On the Genalogy of Morals [geocities.com] . I think you'll be pleasantly suprised.
          • You really need to stop using that damn smilecon or whatever you want to call it. If there's any one reason I have been "optimizing" braincycles expended on your journals, your over-use of the fucken ;-> is it.

            Consider the following example:

            You are an inbred sack of shit ;->

            See! Because of the fucken ;-> at the end, you can tell I was only joking!

            WOW I AM A CLEVER MOTHER FUCKER
            • Y'know, I enjoy reading what you write, but damn--some days, you just need to, I dunno, get a backrub and a drink or something.

              You always seem just on the edge of either a nervous breakdown or a murderous rage.
            • Errr. It's MY journal, and you are welcome to read it or not, as you see fit. ;->

              If my use of ;-> annoys you, you are welcome to not read what I write. ;-> It won't offend me in the least. ;->

              btw, If you don't mind, I would ask that you limit your profanity in my journal. I find it distateful. Though it is often the most cogent part of your arguements. ;->

  • By the way, thanks, Red, for excepting us from the last rant. You're capable of rational argument too, that's why you're on my friends list. I have hope for you. Not sure I can say the same for this guy, though.

    Of course Gandhi's strategy only works against a moral or at least simi-moral opponent. I think he said that himself. I've never tried to argue that Americans are not, by and large, a decent, well-meaning people. There are exceptions, of course, but generally we (Americans) are pretty cool in many

    • I have to ask: What horror do you think we are supporting? I admit to a certain pessimism that anything like a free society will take root here, but I do know that there would be more dead Iraqis today had we not been here.

      Instead of trying to "reach their hearts", why not show why their position/logic is flawed.

      You say that this guy is not capable of rational arguement, but you don't list what's irrational about his claims....

      • "We train our children to drop fire on people, but we won't let them write the word 'fuck' on the sides of their airplanes because it's obscene." -- Marlon Brando in "Apocalypse Now"

        What horror do you think we are supporting?

        I think we are supporting the horror of war. Among others. I think we are supporting the horror of massive chemical warfare against the peasants of Columbia in the name of the "war on drugs". Hardly anybody talks about it, but it's still going on. I think we supported the horrors Sa

        • I think we are supporting the horror of war.

          There are worse things. Much worse. I would be very interested to hear about this chemical warfare we a conducting against the people of columbia....I get the sneaking suspicion that it takes a lot of spin... If we were "guilty" of supporting Saddam in the 70/80's (and I happen to think he was the best of several bad options), then isn't it our DUTY to fix it? I'll wait. By dead Iraqis, I mean dead Iraqis. Yes we killed some Iraqi soldiers. Not as many as you wou

  • Empire. (Score:2)

    by arb ( 452787 )
    Make y'all a deal, if you read "EMPIRE" on your own, this will be the last cut n paste job for a while! :-)

    I just finished reading the Empire TPB the other night. Quite a well written book with a twist that I didn't quite see coming in time. A very interesting concept, one with a lot of potential should they wish to exploit it further. Most things seemed to come together reasonably well, but what was with the aliens?

    Sadly, I doubt that Waid and Kitson will be teaming up any time soon to produce another
  • Not with the antiwar protesters. Listen to Mohammed [komo1000news.com] (MP3 file; 2.4 MB), a caller on the Bryan Suits talk show [kvi.com] on March 6, 2003, confronting United For Peace and Justice spokesperson Andrea Buffa.

    This is the classic, hilarious audio clip where the Iraqi expatriate rips the bumbling, giggling peacenik girl to shreds and calls her a "chirping bird" promoting "Nickelodeon diplomacy." Hooahh!

    • Interestingly enough, Bryan Suits is an LT in my brigade, and WAS deployed as mentioned in the clip. Small world.

      When I heard that bit live on KVI, I had to sit in the truck listening to it. Made me late to karate practice. :-)

  • Braaavo...So, it looks like the messiah [google.com] complex [216.239.53.104] is really kicking in now. You seem to be under the impression that if it weren't for America, we would all be pulling ox carts through the streets screaming "bring out your dead". You would like to think that America's/Europe's great military might with all its WMD's is what's saving us from tyranny. Got news for you there pal. It's NOT the WMD's that's saving us. It's WMC's, weapons of mass communications that's slowing, and might reverse the march towards fa
    • What a sad, sad life you must have that you feel the need to stalk people who don't like you in cyberspace. You have my pity.

      Goodbye, until you feel the need to make yet another account with which to spew your bile.

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