I only contribute infrequently being generally unimpressed with myself. But, as in previous vents, there are times that try men's hearts and this is one.
We are all genuinely puzzled as to how these, seemingly unrelated events (George Zimmerman, Darren Wilson, Daniel Pantaleo, Timothy Loehmann, et.al.) could possibly be happening in places so far afield. From Oakland to Cleveland to Sanford to Ferguson.... Why? Can you tell me why?
I list these events by the perpetrators as I believe a full understanding lies there and not with the victims and/or their respective skin colors. Not that I don't think race is in play. I do but it is only the nose of the camel peeking out. Its what we see. What we use for context. And, I for one, appreciate a glimpse beneath the tent.
Consider for the moment the larger macro context.
Torture and no one is accountable. Blackmailing the whole country for Wall Street profit and no one is accountable. Poisoning our groundwater and no one is accountable. Complete loss of privacy and no one is accountable (see NSA, Facebook & Google). The poor dying from minor illness due to unavailable services and no one is accountable. You can buy all the political influence you can afford and no one is accountable. The theft of $6 - $13 trillion in middle class wealth and no one is accountable. I could go on but...
We now have a full generation of individuals who have no institutional memory of a time when integrity was actually admired. Our society has lost its soul, its self respect and, dare I say, its conscience.
Perpetual war brought to you compliments of OBL/GWB is the new normal and this generation sees much of the world through the prism of US vs THEM.
The transition has been necessarily slow and insidious so as to not attract too much premature attention. But, once the deed is done there is no longer any need for stealth. No reason to obfuscate the intent.
For your consideration, the following (National Socialism) 'dots':
a. Many police departments discard the highest IQ scoring recruits (for obvious reasons)
b. The police are the enforcers for the elite (sic rich)
c. GWB war veterans are now police officers - straight from hell and onto our streets
Now, with no independent press and blind acceptance of ethics considered repugnant just three decades ago, we have fully transformed.
As an aware German recently noted, 'we lived through it and have a 'post-fascist' society, you (meaning Americans) are in a pre-fascist place".
I, and my son, are white but we have had 'the talk'. There is no longer even an attempt at de-escalation.
Watching NBC Nightly News last night that most venerable journalist, Brian Williams, referred to those involved in the protests as "civilians" (as in NOT the police). Semantics matter and are a window into the truth.
Civilians are those non-combatants in a war zone or a military context.
Citizens are who we used to be.
Regards,
Collateral Damage