I said I was getting back to regular programming, but there’s some stuff you should read, if you haven’t already. These links have been all over the last few days, but I want to highlight them too.
Dave Winer on Palestinians
Michael Moore on insanity
Sean Hartigan on “a lie all the worse for being partly true”
Miguel on birthday cakes and tinsel
Noam Chomsky on trying to understand
We need to get beyond the jingoism and runs on flags at Wal-Mart. The eloquent words above, much better than anything I could come up with, might begin to help us understand. If you have any other favorite pieces of writing from this week, please leave the link in a comment so others can read them too. Thanks.
Excellent links, Adam! Michael Moore’s column was the only one I had seen.
I am feeling increasingly alienated from America’s patriotic verve. The waving flags. The red, white and blue ribbons. The “we will get you” mentality. I keep telling myself it’s only part of the grieving process, but at the core we seem unwilling to envision peace without domination.
I would much rather have a resurgence of patriotism, even if it comes in the form of cheap plastic flags, than to have communities with a complete lack of outward involvement or concern. Overall, I’ve been impressed with the supportive response. We’ll just hope the right people are making the important decisions.
?For anyone interested in dealing with, and fighting against, the wave of anti-Arabian discrimination and prejudice in the wake of the NYC/DC tragedy. We’re open to anyone who is willing to help, with time, stories, ideas, etc.?
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/no_hate/join
Patriotism without hate.
Flying a flag is hardly a symbol of domination or saying “we will get you.” It is a way of saying that, despite all our errors, crimes, and shortcomings, we are still a great country, one to be proud of, and spineless bastards like the ones that killed over 5,000 innocent people will not make us forget that.