This split is not easy to understand in terms of rational politics, and suggests a certain element of "I'm all right Jack" - for once, Britain and America are not in the front line of Muslim hatred, and there is a certain temptation to stand back and watch the Europeans, whom many feel have had it much too easy for much too long, ache.
Quite right. Another possible excuse for this seemingly uncharacteristic behavior is that Bush (I don't know really about Blair.) is trying desperately to appease the politically correct in this country as well as, as you mentioned, not take on any more possible heat from the Arab world. He's got an image to protect you know... and funding to secure from Congress.
Nothing else can explain the truly bizarre behaviour of the British and American media;...
Correct. Nothing usually can.
It shows an ingrained unwillingness to identify with Continental interests, even where those interests are shared and common, as they are in the matter of the Press' freedom to publish as it likes.
Alas... I believe that trend has a long and bloody history and is unlikely to take a back seat to anything short of all-out Arab war against the Continentals. I believe there may be more to it, more long-term concerns going on, but right now they only can be classified under "conspiracy theory" (or distinctly possible Machiavellian scheming).
They really cannot understand opposition. Their feeling is that the intensity of their anger is evidence of the justice of their cause, and they cannot imagine any opposition as being due to anything except ingrained evil and rebellion against God.
Absolutely spot on, and that's why it's my figuring that this whole affair can't end anything other than very, very badly. I wish it weren't so.
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I rather had, unfortunately.
Date: 2006-02-05 06:35 pm (UTC)Quite right. Another possible excuse for this seemingly uncharacteristic behavior is that Bush (I don't know really about Blair.) is trying desperately to appease the politically correct in this country as well as, as you mentioned, not take on any more possible heat from the Arab world. He's got an image to protect you know... and funding to secure from Congress.
Nothing else can explain the truly bizarre behaviour of the British and American media;...
Correct. Nothing usually can.
It shows an ingrained unwillingness to identify with Continental interests, even where those interests are shared and common, as they are in the matter of the Press' freedom to publish as it likes.
Alas... I believe that trend has a long and bloody history and is unlikely to take a back seat to anything short of all-out Arab war against the Continentals. I believe there may be more to it, more long-term concerns going on, but right now they only can be classified under "conspiracy theory" (or distinctly possible Machiavellian scheming).
They really cannot understand opposition. Their feeling is that the intensity of their anger is evidence of the justice of their cause, and they cannot imagine any opposition as being due to anything except ingrained evil and rebellion against God.
Absolutely spot on, and that's why it's my figuring that this whole affair can't end anything other than very, very badly. I wish it weren't so.