A Peculiar People

Americans believe strange things and think strange thoughts

by Clyde N. http://wvwnews.net/story.php?id=1125

Millions of Americans, perhaps a majority, think proudly, that invading and overthrowing two weak, remote foreign states that have done us no harm means that we are “defending our country”;

that the main http://wvwnews.net/story.php?id=2596 and training Asian scientists);

that the primary goal of human life is shopping;

that what “we” feel to be right is binding on everyone (though “we” has never been satisfactorily identified);

that some pretty, morally and intellectually mediocre politician or other is a great statesman whose elevation to power will make the world better;

that it is the duty of a “good citizen” to participate in the dead ritual of voting;

unlike every civilised and even half-civilised people in history, that manners are an affectation unnecessary to society;

that a doctor’s degree or an ordination makes a wise and benevolent person;that capitalism and free enterprise mean government http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=1325;

that science can and should prolong their individual existence indefinitely—even if it means cannibalizing babies;

that spending other people’s money and blood on causes we favour makes us virtuous.

http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/?p=420#more-420

2007-12-11