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Devil is in the details

Reader comment on item: My Gloom: Back to September 10

Submitted by Diane Alden (United States), Dec 21, 2005 at 12:21

While the "war on terror" may be taking a politically correct turn, that happenstance is not as important as the politically correct or incompetence of the Washington establishment of BOTH parties in donig what needed doing re our national security. Simple things like policing the borders with more than a drone, a few BP agents, and a tendency to look the other way and millions of Mexicans and other than Mexicans, storm into the US since 2001. In case after case, Bush, Rice, Ridge stated that commercial considerations trump national security. There is not one major speech of policy declaration offered by those folks where commerce and trade and business as usual is not placed before national security. In fact it is in the Homeland Security Directive itself where it is plainly stated that trade and commerce is uber alles. As part of Bush, Rice, neocon grand strategy, the US has morphed from a Constitutional Republic to a "commercial republic." That is according to a speech by a mouthpiece for current economic and foreign policy, Charles Krauthammer at the AEI Institute only a few years ago. Bush, Rice and Ridge, haven't heard too much from Chertoff, have stated that the way to change mankind, including jihadism, is to make sure they have enough "market" philosophy and KFC to satisfy their deepest longings. As long as Bush continues in this vein, and as his supporters Rice et al really believe in a sort of Hegelian way, the materialism and consensus is going to remake human nature, thus, totally abnigating the history of mankind on what drives people to do what they do, believe what they believe, etc. Bush would have had a lot more support from conservatives, paleos or constitutionalists, if he had not placed commerce as the CORE of our national identity and zeitgeist. What concerns me is that philosophy thinks that our freedoms evolved out of our commercial or economic dealings rather than freedom making economics run, and mankind given as much liberty as situations and controlling power or elites will allow.

Our problem is not only with jihadists and testosterone driven young men with a bad combination of militarism and religion, but the leadership in Washington that has placed ONE aspect of our national identity and greatness above all others. A materialistic outlook about human nature, and the idea that trumps what drives men to do what they do, once again shows no understanding of human nature, history, culture, religion, and what makes civivlizations grow nad thrive. IF we are all about economics and trade, we are little better than the Roman Empire at the time of Caesar Augustus and from that time forward. Rome lost its belief in itself, its egdge in innovation and growth of knowledge, and became about mass preoccupation with self and pleasure, and money getting for the elites. Makes me ask, are we at the end of the Republic and beginning of empire which as history shows always collapses from its own decadence and a prosperity that came from living off the capital and strengths of the past.

More of us would trust government if it so often did not misuse its power against the simply silly or ignorant, if it did not keep going back to over indulgence of "preferred minorities," and if we had leadership, including the current president, who paid only lip service to the Constitution they swear to uphold. Recent rumors circulating regarding a meeting of Bush and congressional leadership has him remarking the US Constitution was "only a g....damned piece of paper." The upshot is Bush believes his powers derive from his status as commander-in-chief. It just goes to show how little he understands the concepts behind that document, the one he swore to uphold and which he apparently holds in so little regard. If one were honest, as even some of us died in the wool to the barricades conservatives have been forced to become: The last three presidents have been unmitigated incompetent disasters more concerend with their own careers or advancing the cause of corporatism at our expense. That is not conspiracy theory, that is contained in so many major policy papers and statements by all three presidents it is beyond debate.

Trust has to be won and deserved. None of the last three occupants of the White House, US Senate en masse, deserve that trust. If I were dictator for a week the rotten system of Beltway corruption and failure to shore up the creaking Constitution by the power elite, would guarantee them all a one way ticket back to the rocks from whence they crawled.

As it is we have the best government money and a weird bastardization of economic theory have created. A theory which has loosed incredible selfishness and lack of understanding about what has actually made this nation great. Economics is only one aspect, this nation has remained great because it tried so hard to remain true to its core beliefs which reside in the Western Canon, law, Judaism and Christianity, and a sense of right and wrong, ethics and fair play. Neither party, including the Bush Administration exhibits any of that these days. We are all the poorer because of it.

Diane Alden
Carrollton, Georgia
Submitting....

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Reader comments (140) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Investments [45 words]ShahidSep 21, 2006 11:2356798
The Ideology of hate and murder is the basis of terrorism [205 words]RickJan 1, 2006 18:0930906
1More hatred [382 words]Peter HanburyJan 2, 2006 16:4830906
Reply to Peter Hanbury [351 words]RickJan 4, 2006 01:5230906
Response to Peter Hanbury [323 words]Manmdouh M.Jan 5, 2006 13:5830906
Reply to Manmdouh M [393 words]Peter HanburyJan 6, 2006 02:2330906
Response to Peter Hanbury [407 words]Mamdouh M.Jan 6, 2006 18:3630906
Don't try to be who you aren't [290 words]AminaJun 23, 2007 13:0230906
Questions for Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Big Imam on campus [700 words]SophieJan 1, 2006 13:5830893
open letter to Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal [73 words]sullyJan 1, 2006 17:1530893
More questions for Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal [1398 words]SophieJan 3, 2006 08:4630893
Its easy to pass judgment [22 words]MariaJan 7, 2008 09:1430893
Re:A Future much Worst than 9/11 and 7 July attacks! [215 words]TTSDec 30, 2005 00:5630759
What is terrorism? [305 words]PeterDec 31, 2005 18:0330759
Re: Peter, Northern Ireland Is At Peace [35 words]AnneMJan 6, 2006 07:2530759
Some of us still care about the Constitution. [587 words]trDec 28, 2005 14:1930702
Sad for America [66 words]Illana S.Dec 28, 2005 12:0830696
they have no comment... [164 words]noneDec 27, 2005 21:0830666
Knowledge About the Jews, (To) None [250 words]InfidelDec 28, 2005 02:1630666
Amen corner [285 words]Steve DundasDec 27, 2005 10:3330626
not only Democrats are to blame [155 words]AA TulchinDec 27, 2005 10:0730625
Dhimmitude in Bethlehem ? [109 words]HarryDec 26, 2005 19:2930597
Dhimmmitude in Bethlehem -answer to Harry's wishes, from Sophie [1028 words]SophieJan 2, 2006 10:5830597
alarm [22 words]michael spiegelDec 25, 2005 19:2830556
Christmas Eve and Peace on Earth [155 words]Arlinda DeAngelisDec 24, 2005 19:2430513
My Gloom [174 words]SheriDec 24, 2005 19:1730512
The problem with the American response to 9/11 [241 words]AnonymousDec 24, 2005 18:2130511
My Gloom:Back to Sept. 10, Art No 3218 [34 words]S.C.PandaDec 24, 2005 05:4330487
socioeconomics as sedative [152 words]michael cDec 23, 2005 16:4430468
HEADS IN SAND [38 words]BobDec 23, 2005 16:4330467
POISONOUS SERMONS GIVEN IN MOSQUES [420 words]Ali KhalafDec 23, 2005 16:1230464
This Article and a nod to AFD [81 words]Ed BrophyDec 23, 2005 14:2030460
Reply to ED BROPHY [354 words]A.F.D.Dec 26, 2005 15:2230460
The Passing of Danger [496 words]Steve RalstonDec 23, 2005 01:1430433
Getting the wrong idea and sending the wrong message... [132 words]DrewDec 22, 2005 22:4530429
Reply to Ehud Olmert [33 words]AlexDec 22, 2005 21:4430428
reply to alex [190 words]garyDec 26, 2005 23:3930428
This.... [21 words]SandiDec 22, 2005 21:1630427
This is not the problem of west only. [713 words]Amitabh tripathiDec 22, 2005 12:4130415
Keep on, keeping on! [520 words]Robert OdeanDec 22, 2005 12:2130414
Bin Laden [189 words]ReasonDec 22, 2005 11:3830412
The new "Animal Farm" [265 words]G.BisvasDec 22, 2005 10:4730410
Bush's Mistakes [513 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
AaronDec 22, 2005 09:0430407
Reply to Mr. Pipes [202 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
AaronDec 31, 2005 08:3030407
It used to be all over there... since long time.... [579 words]SudeshDec 22, 2005 03:3730396
Gloomy Complacency - American laxity regarding Radical Islam [392 words]Ed GordonDec 22, 2005 03:3330395
thank you for "your voice" [91 words]KaybeDec 21, 2005 22:5530390
Complacency [114 words]SueDec 21, 2005 22:2930389
The Moslems are gaining ground through corrupted leaders [244 words]F.ShakkiDec 21, 2005 22:2130388
Other overlooked causes for alarm [73 words]Elmer EisnerDec 21, 2005 21:4430387
Not as bad as all that [330 words]Charles R. VailDec 21, 2005 21:3530385
Charles R. Vail [297 words]George SiterDec 22, 2005 01:1330385
9/10/2001 -- You are not alone. [4 words]Gary SmithDec 21, 2005 20:4230384
Giving-up on the fight against obsurantism, ignorance, against Islamists [63 words]steven LDec 21, 2005 20:2430383
State Dept. pre 9/11 [84 words]Bruce BoymanDec 21, 2005 20:2430382
Personal Peace [364 words]John A. Kraft, PhDDec 21, 2005 20:1130380
Gloom [185 words]Steve DuPassDec 21, 2005 19:5730379
Harvard & Georgetown are lowering themselves [74 words]HarryDec 21, 2005 19:1730377
My thoughts to the tee [252 words]KathyDec 21, 2005 18:1330373
Survival of Infidel Civilization, Need to achieve three goals [414 words]A.A.Dec 21, 2005 18:0930372
I couldn't agree more [310 words]Sylvia Weiser WendelDec 21, 2005 14:4030369
How does that saying go..."Those who ignore/forget history are....?" [142 words]Anthony DaytonDec 21, 2005 14:3530368
John Kerry [41 words]Robert Van SciverDec 21, 2005 14:0630367
You ain't seen nothin yet [112 words]RickDec 21, 2005 14:0530366
appreciate information [22 words]Richard StoeckerDec 21, 2005 13:3730362
Israel is moving in the right direction [172 words]Amos TurnerDec 21, 2005 12:2930358
Florida justice [46 words]JohnDec 21, 2005 12:2230357
Devil is in the details [873 words]Diane AldenDec 21, 2005 12:2130356
"Greatest Generation" vs this new one [273 words]Margie BieberDec 21, 2005 12:0030355
still angry [152 words]DanDec 21, 2005 11:5530354
A new strategy is long overdue [600 words]Rai9d MohammadDec 21, 2005 11:4330352
معانات ضحايا الحادي عشر من سبتمبر ستظل حية [244 words]mohamed.mDec 21, 2005 11:2730351
This article is so true [27 words]JamesDec 21, 2005 11:2330350
Terror.. [1363 words]Kim SegarDec 21, 2005 11:1430348
Wahhabi outlook, Alwaleed bin Talal. [71 words]Hans GuggenheimDec 21, 2005 10:3930346
RE: My Gloom ... [101 words]Theway2kDec 21, 2005 10:1330344
So True... [17 words]David O'DowdDec 21, 2005 07:4530337
Airport scrutiny [423 words]Roberta WengerDec 21, 2005 07:3330336
How to Fight Back After an Airport "Pat-Down" goes "over the line". [410 words]Lance Corporal Matthew ReedMar 4, 2006 15:4530336
Recent changes regarding *677 [135 words]Lance Corporal Matthew Reed USMCMar 5, 2006 14:2530336
Human Nature: The Corruptability of man [48 words]Chris YoungJul 12, 2006 21:0130336
Comment on Your Article on Your Gloom [915 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Ray ExleyDec 21, 2005 06:3030334
Alain Finkielkraut did not back down [252 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Nidra PollerDec 21, 2005 06:0230333
...cultural interpreter? [49 words]Joanna BankierFeb 1, 2006 09:2830333
50-50 [415 words](Dr) Ferren MacIntyreDec 21, 2005 04:0730330
My Gloom [305 words]PatriciaDec 21, 2005 03:5630329
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Unlearn - For a Better World! [1128 words]KK VermaDec 21, 2005 02:3930326
Outstanding, Shocking, Definitive – And Terribly Inadequate [444 words]Jack HeismannDec 21, 2005 01:1030324
ncomprehensible lack of concern about the threat [275 words]LarryDec 20, 2005 23:2130321
sad days indeed [180 words]Donald ODec 20, 2005 22:3330319
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Pre 9/11 Mindset [292 words]John Randall PeacherDec 20, 2005 21:1430311
another attack [46 words]brooklynbobDec 20, 2005 20:5930310
Snooze alarm redux [69 words]Merry WhitneyDec 20, 2005 19:3630309
The "domestic spying" stories are further proof. [189 words]PatDec 20, 2005 18:3930305
The death of America [29 words]robert finkDec 20, 2005 17:5930302
Miles to go before I sleep,and miles to go before I sleep. [678 words]Yehoshua ZellerDec 20, 2005 17:3630301
your article is worrysome [34 words]shirley kantorDec 20, 2005 17:3530300
The Unpaid Butcher's Bill [133 words]Lee D. CaryDec 20, 2005 17:1630299
sleep beckons. Death awaits [119 words]y brandstetter MDDec 20, 2005 16:5030296
U.S., too, shows itself to be a weak democracy.... [61 words]SteveDec 20, 2005 16:3930294
I have to agree with you [113 words]Nora AmraniDec 20, 2005 16:3630293
Fundamentalism or Islam [116 words]Joe MarschallDec 20, 2005 16:3030292
Bullseye [125 words]Abraham StubenhausDec 20, 2005 16:2630291
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September 10 [117 words]Paul RinderleDec 20, 2005 16:0830288
If there was no quiet... [78 words]MitchellDec 20, 2005 16:0130287
take heart - all this was predictable [256 words]SullyDec 20, 2005 15:5830286
The art of disinformation [488 words]Reuben HorneDec 20, 2005 15:5230285
Journal-Jihadists [182 words]David GatormanDec 20, 2005 15:4430284
stunned! [73 words]meir abelsonDec 20, 2005 15:3930283
Sadly, short term economics still rule, [40 words]FredDec 20, 2005 15:1630280
Complacency [1783 words]Donald W. BalesDec 20, 2005 15:1130279
Denial is easier than taking responsibility [73 words]Kenneth S. BesigDec 20, 2005 15:0830278
I agree. [82 words]Bryan HoytDec 20, 2005 15:0530277
We have seen this before [83 words]David W. LincolnDec 20, 2005 15:0130276
The stroke of doom [238 words]SHmuel HaLeviDec 20, 2005 14:5630275
Your Gloom [91 words]david w rothschildDec 20, 2005 14:4730273
Don't be so down [165 words]Benjamin ShniperDec 20, 2005 14:3930272
Dan, I wish you weren't so good. Hang in there, friend. [107 words]Steve BalogDec 20, 2005 14:3430271
One more setback [66 words]Pavel ZaychikDec 20, 2005 14:3430270
Sleep beckons [216 words]ddsDec 20, 2005 14:3030268
still reason to hope [197 words]festineDec 20, 2005 14:1730267
how long will the sleep last? [143 words]Ed BrophyDec 20, 2005 14:0930266
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President Bush, are you listening? [19 words]Michael JoyceDec 20, 2005 14:0730264
Lion at the gate [131 words]marion d s dreyfusDec 20, 2005 13:5430261
Daniel, who will ultimately win? [39 words]Jeff HodgeDec 20, 2005 13:3830260
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Jihad, just around the corner. [130 words]Davida StallerDec 20, 2005 13:2430257
Cowards and traitors [517 words]James BigaDec 20, 2005 13:2430256
Lessons from History [117 words]JaladhiDec 20, 2005 13:1530255
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I Agree [78 words]JaneDec 20, 2005 12:5430253
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Stethem's murderer also released [83 words]bill RandlesDec 20, 2005 12:4630251
911 was not enough [68 words]John SobieskiDec 20, 2005 12:4530250
Universities are their own world [178 words]Lawrence StarkDec 20, 2005 12:3730249

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