In some ways, the reaction to yesterday's shooting in Arizona is not unlike the reaction to 9/11. People are stunned, shocked, dismayed and angry. How could something like this happen in the United States of America? This is supposed to be the land of the free. We conduct ourselves differently than people in our lands.
While the events in Tucson have saddened me just as much as the next person, I also realize that horrific deaths occur in other parts of the world; often at the hands of Americans or as the result of American policies. I think of all the various innocent Iraqi and Afghani families whose lives are blown apart by drones, missiles and gunfire. I think of the innocent Palestinian families who are "accidentally" killed.
Do we get wall-to-wall coverage when these sorts of incidents occur? You know the answer as well as I do. In fact, we often don't learn of these atrocities at all (except through leaks). And, even when we do learn of supposedly isolated cases, few Americans express shock or dismay. It's a "war zone," ya know. You got to expect these sort of cases, people say nonchalantly.
Senseless killing -- whether it happens in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Ivory Coast, South Korea, Columbia or Tucson, Arizona -- should outrage the people of the world, regardless of where a person calls home.
Sadly, we too often don't show much concern at all UNTIL it happens in our own backyard.
While the events in Tucson have saddened me just as much as the next person, I also realize that horrific deaths occur in other parts of the world; often at the hands of Americans or as the result of American policies. I think of all the various innocent Iraqi and Afghani families whose lives are blown apart by drones, missiles and gunfire. I think of the innocent Palestinian families who are "accidentally" killed.
Do we get wall-to-wall coverage when these sorts of incidents occur? You know the answer as well as I do. In fact, we often don't learn of these atrocities at all (except through leaks). And, even when we do learn of supposedly isolated cases, few Americans express shock or dismay. It's a "war zone," ya know. You got to expect these sort of cases, people say nonchalantly.
Senseless killing -- whether it happens in Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Ivory Coast, South Korea, Columbia or Tucson, Arizona -- should outrage the people of the world, regardless of where a person calls home.
Sadly, we too often don't show much concern at all UNTIL it happens in our own backyard.
These things do happen all over and it is the media that shapes response om people, though after time the population themselves are so well trained that they 'know' how to react to certain acts and pull anyone into line who gets it wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe wars since 911 are significantly worse than 911 itself. One shooting in Arizona is simply nothing compared to daily destruction in the name of the 'Allies'. America reacts as it is trained to do: 'One death here is for national mourning and 100 deaths there is policy.'
"How could something like this happen in the United States of America? This is supposed to be the land of the free. We conduct ourselves differently than people in our lands."
Please try to put yourself in the place of an Afghani, Iraqi or even Indian or Chinese person and listen to that quote.
You could state the same quote with a pitied irony and get a good laugh at the comedy store.
Even from my perspective, from a country equally stained with innocent blood, it is bizarre to hear an American claim to be free or different, especially with an air of superiority or national pride.
There are historically documented cases of 'nutters' being trained to kill targets and for the media to guide public opinion to set goals.
Even in cases where genuine cases occur the media shape it and never, never ever is the response remotely equal to when cases take place 'away from home'.
America has guns and it has people who use them, a history of violence justified by money men. A movie and TV industry where everyone has a gun. Peddling distorted propaganda to the planet and populous.
Don't be surprised when it goes pop :)
We've all seen it and when enough do see it for what it is then the natural shift will occur.
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ReplyDelete^ whoops double posted.
ReplyDeleteTa Wan,
ReplyDeleteI hope you realize the cite you quoted wasn't me expressing my opinion. I was attempting to show the mindset of far too many of my countrymen.
Personally, I think people are people, regardless of where we each reside.