Newark Execution Murders

[Munkay]

Don't be so generous.;)

But in essence, people want solutions that fit in one sentence or catchphrase. "Attack iraq" "Send more troops" "Patriot Act". Then they act surprised when it doesn't work. The war on terror is about as efficient as using a nuclear weapon on a cockroach infestation. People need their symbols of evil to be as concrete as possible-- they need to be recognized as obvious targets to focus on. Then of course, when the real evil creeps in, it comes in unnoticed.

Then of course, I suppose fear mongering is a great way to detract from actual issues. Fear mongering seems to be favorite tactic for a number the Republican presidential hopefuls except for one notable exception (of course, the Democrats aren't really any better)

I think the first part of this video summarizes it pretty well; I thought of it as I was reading your post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SsSZ-lvPfc

(yes, it's hardly objective, so take with a grain of salt but yea that's I just thought it was kind of funny:P)

I think we're in agreement on this Archon_Wing. As I see it, people need a tangible rational explanation to the heinous acts that human beings do to one another. They look for a face of evil, a specific place for evil, wrap everything up into one simple package. And I don't think any of us are excluded from this, it is a big part of human nature.

The sad part, which you've pointed out, is politics are about manipulating human reactions like this. Rather than being the rational voice that calms people down and gets them to look at the facts of the situation, politicians amplify these reactions (whether it be fear-mongering, scapegoating, or drawing partisan 'us' and 'them' lines in the sand), and use them for their own gain.

And yes, of course that's the nature of politics itself. To expect a kind of morality that guides the people to good is naive. But the saddest part of all of this manipulation is the vast majority live in fear (of many things, not just terrorism), without much of anything being done to quell it. The republicans in the clip you linked to Archon_Wing are right - another terrorist attack is going to occur. What's frustrating is that the general public may actually believe that more wars in the middle east, allowing torture, or expanding terrorist jails are the cure all.

Meanwhile anyone can hop on an ATV and book it over the Canadian border into the US.

Cheers,

Munk