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Showing Original Post only (View all)BOSTON GLOBE Opinion Piece: "The world of threats to the US is an illusion." [View all]
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WHEN AMERICANS look out at the world, we see a swarm of threats. China seems resurgent and ambitious. Russia is aggressive. Iran menaces our allies. Middle East nations we once relied on are collapsing in flames. Latin American leaders sound steadily more anti-Yankee. Terror groups capture territory and commit horrific atrocities. We fight Ebola with one hand while fending off Central American children with the other.
In fact, this world of threats is an illusion. The United States has no potent enemies. We are not only safe, but safer than any big power has been in all of modern history.
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Feeling threatened strengthens group solidarity. Some thinkers have gone so far as to suggest that since societies become more united and resolute in the face of enemies, those that have none should find some.
It is always possible to bind together a considerable number of people in love, Freud wrote, so long as there are other people left over to receive the manifestations of their aggressiveness. Nietzsche believed the nation-states profound appreciation of the value of having enemies produced a spiritualization of hostility. A young country especially, he said, needs enemies more than friends: in opposition alone does it feel itself necessary.
When Americans see threats everywhere, we fall into this trap. Believing we are besieged is strangely comforting. To recognize how safe we are would require a change of national mindset that we seem reluctant to make.
MORE TRUTH:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2015/04/11/have-seen-enemies-and-they-weak/Cho9J5Bf9jxIkHKIZvnVTJ/story.html?event=event25
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BOSTON GLOBE Opinion Piece: "The world of threats to the US is an illusion." [View all]
kpete
Apr 2015
OP
It is the sacred job of cable news and the main job of main stream media to gin up fear.
Fred Sanders
Apr 2015
#2
All of our bordering neighbors may be friendly but Palin can see Russia from her house! n/t
A Simple Game
Apr 2015
#23
That picture would be perfect if there was a young shepherd on the hill hollering "WOLF." n/t
A Simple Game
Apr 2015
#24
Our biggest danger is the tyranny we will slide into if we don't get the NSA/CIA Security State
rhett o rick
Apr 2015
#6
Heaven forbid that we would not have an enemy to fear. If we did we might even tackle some of
jwirr
Apr 2015
#14
I've always said that the other m*tha f*ckin texting driver is more of a threat to my life.
L0oniX
Apr 2015
#15
Very powerful. Every time we are told that we were attacked we should at least consider the
GoneFishin
Apr 2015
#18
Not true, we have reason to fear....sadly the true threat to the average American comes from within
AuntPatsy
Apr 2015
#21
"... the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling ..."
GoneFishin
Apr 2015
#29
both parties are happy to play thier parts in the kabuki theatre of existential threats
KG
Apr 2015
#32
''To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.'' ~George Orwell
DeSwiss
Apr 2015
#33
This is the truth! The MIC and the PTB are actively pumping up and exaggerating the threat.
Enthusiast
Apr 2015
#37
We have thousands die every day. From auto accidents, medical accidents, gun accidents
Enthusiast
Apr 2015
#46
Many Democrats only feel safe by letting the Government spy on our children.
whereisjustice
Apr 2015
#49
Republicans claim we are in danger to present themselves as the heroes who will save us.
Spitfire of ATJ
Apr 2015
#56