Call It What It Is
In the good ole days, there would be a respite, a time to mourn and contemplate before the insanity would commence. But no longer. Today, the blood will barely dry on the pavement and the reasons why the blood was shed to begin with, will proceed without regards for facts or reason. People already know why. It’s the enemy. Which enemy? Pick one.
“Why did the terrorists attack a Belgium airport, killing and maiming more than 60 people?” Here’s why. Donald Trump. Or, more precisely, Donald Trump’s foreign policy. I actually read that this morning on a major internet magazine. When I checked the comments, most people seemed to think that this was accurate. Followed, of course, by jokes about how Donald Trump had no foreign policy because he’s really stupid. So, it was either Donald Trump’s foreign policy, or it was his lack of foreign policy, but rest assured, no matter the evidence, Donald Trump was to blame. You could almost hear the imaginary slapping of high fives as the jokes and acronyms flew at warp speed; “LMAO” “OMG” “ROFTFLMA.” No need to worry, the problem was solved. It is an abbreviation of thought for an abbreviated worldview.
This kind of idiocy is possible only when you live outside the war zone. Mainly, because victims of slaughter—and the reasons why they are victims—are a distant concern. “I bet if they had tithed more God would have intervened.” Some will say. Or, if only they had enough faith! Or, America and Israel are to blame for Belgium’s problems. Or, it isn’t Islam, because Islam is a religion of peace. Or, you can’t shut the borders and keep out Muslims! That would be racist! Or, they probably acted out because of some crazy shit Donald Trump said. Or, it was George W Bush’s fault. The reasons why were as varied as the imagination.
If all of the above represent answers, absent any real evidence, that’s fine. Evidence only matters if people are really trying to solve a problem. If not, any answer will do. But only as long as it serves the purpose of some idea or group that we favor. And, only as long as the victims are somewhere else, far enough away to be a distant concern. But, there is a reason why we call Cancer by its appropriate name. It’s not a cold or something that will pass with a good nights rest. It will take root in the body and then slowly kill every part of it if it’s left to grow. So, when the hand or the foot says “it’s not my problem” it will be, soon enough. That’s what’s at stake. And we’d better damn well call it what it is before it kills us all.
Mark Magula
“Why did the terrorists attack a Belgium airport, killing and maiming more than 60 people?” Here’s why. Donald Trump. Or, more precisely, Donald Trump’s foreign policy. I actually read that this morning on a major internet magazine. When I checked the comments, most people seemed to think that this was accurate. Followed, of course, by jokes about how Donald Trump had no foreign policy because he’s really stupid. So, it was either Donald Trump’s foreign policy, or it was his lack of foreign policy, but rest assured, no matter the evidence, Donald Trump was to blame. You could almost hear the imaginary slapping of high fives as the jokes and acronyms flew at warp speed; “LMAO” “OMG” “ROFTFLMA.” No need to worry, the problem was solved. It is an abbreviation of thought for an abbreviated worldview.
This kind of idiocy is possible only when you live outside the war zone. Mainly, because victims of slaughter—and the reasons why they are victims—are a distant concern. “I bet if they had tithed more God would have intervened.” Some will say. Or, if only they had enough faith! Or, America and Israel are to blame for Belgium’s problems. Or, it isn’t Islam, because Islam is a religion of peace. Or, you can’t shut the borders and keep out Muslims! That would be racist! Or, they probably acted out because of some crazy shit Donald Trump said. Or, it was George W Bush’s fault. The reasons why were as varied as the imagination.
If all of the above represent answers, absent any real evidence, that’s fine. Evidence only matters if people are really trying to solve a problem. If not, any answer will do. But only as long as it serves the purpose of some idea or group that we favor. And, only as long as the victims are somewhere else, far enough away to be a distant concern. But, there is a reason why we call Cancer by its appropriate name. It’s not a cold or something that will pass with a good nights rest. It will take root in the body and then slowly kill every part of it if it’s left to grow. So, when the hand or the foot says “it’s not my problem” it will be, soon enough. That’s what’s at stake. And we’d better damn well call it what it is before it kills us all.
Mark Magula