fading iconography
Susan Faludi made so much sense in this article originally printed in the New York Times.
Especially this bit:
One cannot imagine F.D.R., before declaring war on Japan, or even Ronald Reagan before Grenada, pumping a fist and saying of himself, "Feel good" — as President Bush did before he announced the beginning of the Iraq war. Indeed, the doctrine of pre-emptive warfare flies in the face of the humble, reluctant cowboy myth Mr. Bush holds so dear.
It's a stark contrast to Eisenhower, while not yet President, and his frame of mind before D-Day. He was bitterly aware of the cost in terms of human life, and he drafted a statement
in case the landing failed. In his words,
"The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault is attached to the attempt, it is mine alone."
Nothing about faulty intelligence or advisors that let him down. Ike was a leader, on the field of battle and later as President.
Archetypes are shifting subtly in our times. People who were rejected 20 years ago are now celebrated. Look at the religious bigots chanting their hate and writing it into law. Our old bad guys have become good, or at least we're all supposed to be too inclusive to revile them for their differences.
Luckily, a few folks remain around to blame for our society's ills. Fat people are ruining the healthcare system, not greedy pharmaceutical companies who have a lock-down monopoly on prices or the food manufacturers who pump corn syrup or some other sweetener into every product you can think of and lots you can't. Gay people are destroying the sanctity of marriage despite the fact that by our own orientation, we're self-segregating ourselves out of the pool of divorce statistics. Hets have those numbers all to themselves. Liberals have ruined our political system, despite the fact that the Conservatives have had the helm and the Majority during the last few years of mess-making. Heck, science has even ruined good old fashioned education what with its Godless exclusion of Creationism.
These days, it feels like we're slipping into a culture that looks a whole lot like one from 50 or so years ago. One we fought a war - a very big, bloody, important war - to unseat. Only this time, the enemy is within. We're celebrating the tribalization of our society. We're glorifying those who wield their strength to force their values on everyone. We're handing over the keys of democracy to those who think spin is more valid than truth. We're following...building...enshrining a cult of personality around a 'leader' who is more zealot than reformer.
Of course, some Conservatives would say I'm the enemy bent on changing the world as we know it, but I'd disagree. I don't have designs on reshaping society, unless of course you want to count my personal efforts to make the society I am in contact with a little better, a little more fair, a little nicer. It sure doesn't look like I'm getting anywhere, but if you can see a change, please let me know.
remembering gomorrah
I read this on Slate today...not a new article, but a recent one, about George Bush's Christianity:
In addition, I believe that Bush's pluralistic approach to faith —his kind words for Islam right after 9/11 and his broad approach to faith-based programs— helped give evangelical Christianity a more tolerant face. - Steven Waldman, editor in chief of Beliefnet
Would those kind words for Islam have been when he promised we'd go on a Crusade to avenge 9/11? I remember at the time that Shrub quickly recalled those words, having been too ignorant (or is it coke-damaged?) to remember that there's a bit of a history to the word Crusade, and that honestly, those who hold to the Islamic faith might find mention of it a little alarming.
But hey, what's the matter with bringing up homeland invasion, raping, pillaging, conquest and conversion, oh, and wholesale slaughter of innocents among global villagers? I mean it's not like he said he was going to hold an Inquisition over the whole thing. No one needs to be nervous. Really. Swear to God. (And that's
my God, not yours, for clarity.)
We're living in a time where the bully pulpit is just that...a pulpit, standing at the front of the biggest, most publicized church in the world. The Holy Church of Us, Divine Order We are Right and You are Wrong, and the Genuine, Solid-Steel Shining of Sword of God's Vengeance. It doesn't matter what the issue is, in the Church of Us, anyone not in the club is one of Them, and watch out, cause you're officially served notice. For people who live their lives in fear, the idea that God is the Arnold Schwarzenegger of the skies is a comforting one. Mess with Us, and He will kick your ass. Disagree with Us, and you're simply working for Them. If you don't Believe (just like we do, no exceptions, no discussion, no dissent) then you're against Us. Just remember Gomorrah.
I was raised Christian, and I recall something different about the God who was in my storybooks. That particular God viewed us as lambs, to be taken care of, protected and cherished. That God mentioned loving thy neighbor and turn the other cheek and the meek shall be first. I still talk to that God, and oddly, I've missed the Voice telling me that the meek now have an enforcer. Instead, if I listen closely, I hear a murmur reminding me that the loudest voices are not made loud by the power of truth. They're made loud by fear, by anger, by coercion.
So pardon me, but I'll pass on the Revival at the Church of Us. I've got an appointment to see God Sunday morning, in a sunrise or a rainshower or a falling leaf. Care to join me? We've got a big church too. It's called earth, and there's room for everyone.
barking mad
I can't decide which kind of mad it is...angry or just insane. I find myself thinking about how America has become a culture of division, fragmenting into ever smaller factions of us and them. Three years after 9/11 and the country is beginning to resemble a pack of religious extremists who hang a different face and nametag on God. We have a mob of people who are threatened by gays who want to marry (I'm one of them. I did it in Oregon.) People paste bumperstickers like "My God Reigns" on their cars. What is it, the Deity Smackdown? The Baddest Supreme Power wins?
Where is community -- not tolerance -- but a real sense that we're all in this together? Where is compassion -- not words of formalized and false regret -- but a genuine remorse at the cost of lives?
It's not here. It's not coming any time soon. Now what the hell do those of us in the Them column do?
