am 30.9.2002 22:27 Uhr schrieb Marsden Steven J unter [log in to unmask]:

> I've posted the Twain quote around quite a lot in online communities, and
> gotten some good responses. The majority of Americans are never called in
> polls. The majority of polls cited support the cause of the day.
>
> I believe men and women and goodwill and sanity are largely keeping their
> heads down. The rhetoric of the administration has shown a shocking lack of
> concern for even minimal standards of reason.  Proof is never produced.

To-day's "New York Times":

"Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said today that American intelligence
had "bulletproof" evidence of links between Al Qaeda and the government of
President Saddam Hussein of Iraq."

"Mr. Rumsfeld said that recently declassified intelligence reports about
suspected ties between Al Qaeda and the Iraqi government, including the
presence of senior members of Al Qaeda in Baghdad in "recent periods," were
"factual" and "exactly accurate.""

Note the silly pleonasm "exactly accurate"... And we are governed by jerks
who come out with such things. Remember the old wanker Agnew's "Nattering
Nabobs of Negativisim"?

> rhetoric and jingoistic bullying has more or less stood in where debate
> should be.  The distinctive whipcracky sound of dusty flags being waved
> vigorously has drowned out most of the voices of dissent, and the major media
> outlets (in particular cable news) have blindly bought into and perpetuated
> every over-statement and cheap trick and act of terror-mongering.
>
> I live in Texas, and work at one of the most politically conservative
> universities in the nation. I'm teaching "Civil Disobedience" and Rousseau on
> the will of the people.

What an interesting --and ever so important-- topic, dear Steve! You ought
to visit the peninsula of St.Pierre on the lake of Bienne, Switzerland,
where J.J. Rousseau lived and taught. Drop me a line when you want to come,
our guest room will be ready. No kidding.

 > I feel a chilly reticence in my students.  Dissent
> frightens them. Reason has been shown to have little weight in high places.
>

That is sad but inevitable. A common reaction of many kids here, too. But
ever so often, one finds some who listen to the bickering old gits...


> These are the kids who will go and fight shortly. Some are in officer
> training, some in the national guard.
>
> I keep hoping there's some backbone and some brains left in America. That
> people will stand up and demand some answers.  That they will realize that
> grief and shock don't necessarily demand the surrender of our rights and our
> reason.
>
> I keep hoping.
>

Good -- aren't we all. Let's keep hoping.

Carry on, Steven!


Gunnar