My OperaEngelhardt wonders if...
Saturday, October 20, 2007 3:56:38 PM
..we already have this era's Pentagon Papers. Offered up by the administration itself. Because of their righteousness, and because their self- image compels them to laugh in our faces.
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/174851
I sort of agree - but it's also because they do not think they are doing the wrong thing. They "know" this is "how the world works". And they know their influence and power in the world, which is considerable. Even if they exaggerate their own role in it into to comical proportions sometimes. But what turns up is no hidden conscience suddenly winning, or someone who somehow leaks information due to the belief that this is wrong. We know what we do because they do it virtually in the open. Because they think it's the right thing to do. And that the little people will respect their wise rule - and not understand the implications of their actions (so to speak). While being extremely interested in the information that is "secret" - instead of what is public, and what should be assumed is missing in the picture.
..Which, of course, is completely correct, and has been for quite a while. As people have followed the leadership they wanted so far. But hey - "history will judge me", like Bush says.
I'm sure it will.. But it's not exactly inspiring, is it, speaking from a position of power.
You know, I like this one better:
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/174851
I sort of agree - but it's also because they do not think they are doing the wrong thing. They "know" this is "how the world works". And they know their influence and power in the world, which is considerable. Even if they exaggerate their own role in it into to comical proportions sometimes. But what turns up is no hidden conscience suddenly winning, or someone who somehow leaks information due to the belief that this is wrong. We know what we do because they do it virtually in the open. Because they think it's the right thing to do. And that the little people will respect their wise rule - and not understand the implications of their actions (so to speak). While being extremely interested in the information that is "secret" - instead of what is public, and what should be assumed is missing in the picture.
..Which, of course, is completely correct, and has been for quite a while. As people have followed the leadership they wanted so far. But hey - "history will judge me", like Bush says.
I'm sure it will.. But it's not exactly inspiring, is it, speaking from a position of power.
You know, I like this one better:
I know that imprisonment will be harder for me than it has ever been for anyone, filled with cowardly threats and hideous cruelty. But I do not fear prison, as I do not fear the fury of the miserable tyrant who took the lives of 70 of my comrades. Condemn me. It does not matter. History will absolve me.
