Mickey Z

Cool Observer

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Let's win the “war on terror”

Terror: "An overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety” and/or an “intense, overpowering fear"

Many Americans reflexively defend their country’s rampant illegalities because they perceive these actions as falling under the seductive justification of “defending our way of life.” But, if our way of life is so sacred, so ideal, so worthy of being defended by any means necessary...why are millions of us reeling from “intense, overpowering fear”?

If the U.S. represents a superior form of society, why do we need so many homeless shelters, alcohol and drug rehab centers, rape crisis hotlines, battered women’s shelters, prisons, law enforcement agents, and soldiers? Why does a sexual assault occur every 2 1/2 minutes?

If the United States of America is the world’s shining light, why are its citizens compelled to organize to protect human, environmental, and animal rights? Why can’t we drink the water or breathe the air without risking our health? Why do we experience “intense, overpowering fear” about being made ill by corporate-produced toxins and having no health insurance to deal with such an illness?

If America is the zenith of human social order, why does its very name evoke “an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety” for people both here and abroad? Why does our vaunted “way of life” provoke terror both as a tactic and an emotion?

There is an alternative to terrorism. It’s called justice. But to seek justice, we must first recognize injustice—even if we play a direct or indirect role. To do that, we have to open our eyes and then take action.

Derrick Jensen sez: “One of the good things about everything being so fucked up—about the culture being so ubiquitously destructive—is that no matter where you look—no matter what your gifts, no matter where your heart lies—there’s good and desperately important work to be done.”

Mao Tse-Tung sez: “A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery.”

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Mickey Z. for President