[lbo-talk] Incomparably more civilized

[joanna bujes]

Doug writes:
"Why not concede Chomsky's argument, that the U.S. is "incomparably 
more civilized" than it was 40 years ago? Only the right-wing nuts 
are defending this - even the gang on CNBC warming up for the jobs 
report this morning looked uncomfortable. Why hasn't the U.S. 
flattened Fallujah and Najaf already? Could it be partly for fear of 
public revulsion, and the need to keep up an appearance of sparing 
civilian life?"

I would love to concede. I would love for it to be true. It is the case that there were millions out on the street protesting this action even before anything started. It is also the case that the U.S. has been raping and torturing this nation for how long?  how far back do you want to go? the last Gulf war?

It's possible we are more civilized. How to judge? Racism? Well, it is now institutionalized in a different way. Suburban bubbles trump overt segregation. The war on drugs provides a convenient cover. And yet part of what was so appalling about the Iraq pictures was the racism...it sure looks ugly when it's right in your face. And there was shock.

Otherwise, I don't know. One difference between now and twenty years ago is how much more people need to climb into their private little bubbles. If it were easy to put up with the barbarity, the bubbles would not be so necessary. 

Let's see what happens next.

Joanna