Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Sunday, February 05, 2006
U.S. War Crimes Explained: 105 years ago today (and RIP: Al Lewis)
great post and morning all.
i used the manila bit when i reviewed your book! (and a great book it is too).
i think it comes back to that orwell quote…
“The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, but he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.”
Posted by michael on from scotland 02/05 at 08:54 AMGood morning,
MZ your post has me contemplating (again) how in today’s climate any group who might in the past have been defined either internally or externally as Guerillas, would now all be defined as Terrorists. I can’t remember whom you quoted (in the last 2 weeks or so?) but it summed up that actions of aggression by an organised and well funded state are called a War, while actions by the poor or marginalised are called Terrorism.
It’s stuck with me and I wish that it would be more recognised by the general population.
But, instead the war machine has done its propaganda job well and most people will not consider this while they take their daily spoonful of Faux or CNN medicine.Lots of conversation I had to catch up on from yesterday. Joe I share your ability for the sickening and saddening mental imagery. I’d done a post at the time of the NO hurricane disaster to make a plea to help the animals by donating, etc.; it was actually taken up by some nutjob, (but the scary lucid kind) who linked to my post (that doesn’t happen often - with the exception of our RMJ cause) and used it as an example of PRIORITIES GONE WRONG!! In his view it was entirely misguided to be giving $ to save animals when there were people suffering. Needless to say I found it more than a little disturbing that he found it important enough to blog about that it was ‘wrong’ to be attempting to save those creatures with whom we choose to share our lives and our space, even when they are dependant on us for their sustenance if nothing more).
Having said all that, I feel it’s important to have these gruesome visuals implanted. Not because I’m sick like that, but in the sense that it’s important to see and be understanding of the inhumanity with which we treat the world around us and those creatures with whom we share it. (not the same, but similar to viewing the Frisk images of child bombing victims). So - while much of Mowat’s books - either A Whale for the Killing, or others on the topic of Northern Peoples and their introduction to ‘civilised’ white culture; it’s an experiment in sympathy. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to have empathy for those who’d torture or maim either animals or people (at least I certainly hope not to!) but I feel its important to attempt some degree of sympathy in an effort to see their perspective. If I don’t I’ll just stay bitter and grow the big hate-on that is my gut instinct. It also helps (me) when trying to compel sympathy for my causes...I can better understand and therefore am better enabled to make a convincing argument to sway opinion.Well, there’s my morning verbal diarrhea.
blah blah...see you all a little later.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/05 at 09:42 AMChecking in, finally back behind a computer for a sec.
I came across a phenomenal little story the other day but couldn’t make it for story-telling saturday. I think y’all will enjoy:
That’s from Leonardo Da Vinci.The Ant and the Grain of Millet
Long discussions are superfluous when reason dictates the course of action.
The ant found a grain of millet. The seed, feeling itself caught, cried out: “If you do me the kindness to allow me to accomplish my function of reproduction, I will give you a hundred such as I am.” And so it was.
As for the book question, I’d be happy to read any and all of them.
Posted by Keir on from The Hague 02/05 at 09:56 AMKeir the ant and the millet reminds me of a Rumi poem about a chickpea.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/05 at 10:06 AMThe ant and millet story is cool, but I suppose that someone could turn it around to say that we’d all starve if every seed and grain said that to us, the original and all its descendents.
Reminds me of the followers of Pythagoras, who were vegetarians but couldn’t eat beans. That was considered a form of cannibalism, since there appeared to be an embryonic human being (or human bean, as it were) inside each bean upon close inspection. Go on and check, you’ll see. Yuck.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 02/05 at 12:10 PMEmpress, “a Rumi poem about a chickpea” reminds me of a William Carlos Williams poem about plums.
Posted by Keir on from The Hague 02/05 at 03:23 PMThe US actions in the Phillipines are the perfect example of the imperial policies of our government throughout history. That the unabashed racism driving US actions has been literally “white"washed from public consciousness is beyond belief.
Why do they hate us?
Posted by Cart on from near Warshington DC 02/05 at 05:21 PMSeeds eh? A friend told me tonight his flatmate works for a company working for Dupont and talks to farmers in the area and advises them about seeds, genetically modified or otherwise. She sez she advises them to go with the naturals but still, after the strong reaction against GMs here they got snaked in fast enough.
Posted by Owen on from Batcelona 02/05 at 05:27 PMI think I finally have another way to word the same answer that has come to mind whenever that question is posed....Because we perceive and represent our society and culture as one which is much more accepting than it truly is; our Foreign policies in general, and our military forays in particular; prove our Actions to speak not only more loudly, but more accurately of our general attitude toward Cultures and People of non-European Origin, and the rights of those People to continue to exist in the manner in which they choose. That is that they are second class citizens.
Fortunately we can find company here that knows many of us are misrepresented by the above sentiments. Those who do not already recognize that are either part of the general contrivance, or they simply & willfully do not perceive the contrivance.
captcha says “fire”.
Posted by Amelopis on from Canada 02/05 at 05:35 PMOwen - simultyping…
GM is a horrible issue. We here have very lame regulations. Labelling isn’t yet required. By the time it is it won’t matter. We are the subjects and they are the “students” in the experiment. The rules of engagement in that particular issue make it difficult not to consume the stuff, even if you try to inform yourself when you find it difficult to always buy organic.
Posted by Amelopsis on from Canada 02/05 at 05:39 PMHello Expendables. Another busy day here and I must admit: I have not had a chance to read all the above comments. I will soon. I just wanted to first check in and say hi.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/05 at 05:57 PMGood morning/afternoon, Michael, Amelopsis, James, Cart and Owen - and thanks for another great post, Mickey. Doesn’t Gore Vidal say that the American empire started with the ‘acquisition’ of the Philippines? Seem to remember something there ..
And Michael, yesterday I bought Granta #43 ‘Best of Young British Novelists’ and .. saw that AL Kennedy lived in Glasgow - in 1993, that is. She is one of my very favourite writers - does she still live near you?
Oh, and Amelopsis, thanks for all that ‘blah blah’ about terrorism and other subjects!
Ciao .. got to do some work,
HelgaCaptcha ‘french’: watched a very good French film last night: ‘Lumumba’ - once knew someone who was actually a member of the Lumumba cabinet in 1960.
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 02/05 at 06:07 PMHello All, I also have not had time today to read all of the comments but I saw something here about GM seeds. That is one of my pet projects. Iraqi Order 81 is the USA’s assault on agriculture in Iraq. Seeds by Monsanto instead of Mother Nature.
Amelopsis, I am receiving support because of your site. I just answered an e-mail from a person in Tennessee who was at your site. THANKS…
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 02/05 at 07:05 PMThis whole thing is becoming decidedly less funny:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4669210.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4684250.stm
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 02/05 at 08:22 PMThe Super Bowl is being played in Detroit. Naturally, the halftime show is...The Rolling Stones? Did Motown disappear? Am I missing something? I just thought it odd.
Posted by Cart on from near Warshington DC 02/05 at 08:26 PMI have crappy tv reception right now-- what are the Stones playing? Are they any good today?
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 02/05 at 08:35 PMJagger has no voice left but damn, he’s in great shape for 63 or so. They tossed in Stevie Wonder during pre-game and had Aretha sing the National Anthem but yeah, it’s weird to have a white British rock band representing Detroit.
Not sure if I’ll get back on tonight. Just in case: Good night, all.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 02/05 at 09:22 PMThe truth is I didn’t want the Philippines, and when they came to us, as a gift from the gods....
When I next realized that the Philippines had dropped into our laps I confess I did not know what to do with them. I sought counsel from all sides—Democrats as well as Republicans—but got little help.... I walked the floor of the White House night after night until midnight; and I am not ashamed to tell you, gentlemen, that I went down on my knees and prayed Almighty God for light and guidance more than one night. And one night late it came to me this way—I don’t know how it was, but it came:(1) That we could not give them back to Spain—that would be cowardly and dishonorable;
(2) that we could not turn them over to France and Germany—our commercial rivals in the Orient—that would be bad business and discreditable;
(3) that we could not leave them to themselves—they were unfit for self-government—and they would soon have anarchy and misrule over there worse than Spain’s was; and
(4) that there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them, and by God’s grace do the very best we could by them, as our fellow-men for whom Christ also died.
And then I went to bed, and went to sleep, and slept soundly....
-- Pres. McKinley
Posted by Jeremy on from Taiwan 02/06 at 05:20 AM
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