The Empire of Ignorance, Hypocrisy and Obedience

[struggle4progress]

<snip>
Torture is the problem-du-jour. Two weeks ago, the problem-du-jour was the deceptive case for war. The American people believed the administration's lies. Ignorance. The President says he relied on the flawed intelligence he was fed. Hypocrisy. Instead of rebelling, Colin Powell stuck with his team. Obedience.

America's problems are structural. Even if Kerry replaces Bush in January 2005, America will still have one child in six living in poverty; America will still have two million people in jail; America will still have military installations in 50 countries. It's time we looked at the structure behind America's problems.
<snip>
By America's own standard, the standard of its self-image, the US is a sick society. Behind torture and all the other symptoms, you can find the same driving principles. 'America is the best.' 'Might means right.' 'Corporations have a right to maximise profit.' 'Government should serve the economy.' 'People must look after themselves.' 'Status comes from wealth.' 'Winning justifies anything.'

Behind it all, you can find a powerful blend of ignorance, hypocrisy, and obedience. It's a kind of disease, something I call the 'IHO Syndrome': I for ignorance, H for hypocrisy, O for Obedience. Under its influence, lies become truth, wrong becomes right. Peace becomes war, justice becomes torture.
<snip>
http://colombia.indymedia.org/news/2004/05/13379.php

[bemildred]

1. Nice piece.

You can't live in bullshit forever.