Monday, March 28, 2005

Enemies: They're Right Next To You

One of the things that has always fascinated me is the concept of cognitive dissonance, and the effects it has on the mind. For a quick definition let's go to Webster's (Unabridged, Thank You); "anxiety that results from simultaneously holding contradictory or otherwise incompatible attitudes, beliefs, or the like, as when one likes a person but disapproves strongly of one of his or her habits".

Now when we're talking about someone you may like, and an entire nation of people, we're looking at a multitudes of scale, to say the least.

All of us gain knowledge of the world around us from many different sources. The news sources you watch and read, the people that you talk to whose attitudes you share and respect, your parents, the things you see with your own eyes, all these things make up the filter through which you see the world. If this filter is dramatically skewed one way or another, it can either be helpful or very dangerous, but it all depends on your approach. If you come at things with the attitude that you know some things about the subject, and can add to the discourse with tact and a polite disposition, we can all discuss those points and come to some rational conclusions, even if in the end we don't agree. If, on the other hand, you rush into the room ranting, pointing your finger at everyone, and hurling unfounded accusations, where do we go from there? There's no discussion to be had at all:

Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism
By Ann Coulter

Deliver Us from Evil: Defeating Terrorism, Despotism, and Liberalism
By Sean Hannity

So, if I'm a Liberal, I've already been accused of treachery, despotism, terrorism, and well, being evil. That's some conversation starter, and these are two best-selling authors, not obscure shut-ins.

We as Americans have always had our differences, but we've always been able to come to some consensus, as fragile as those conditions may provide, for the greater good for all. But now that this type of rhetoric has been introduced into our dialogue, it pits one American against another. No need to seek out the enemy, he's sitting right next to you in the coffee shop.

As American power wanes in the new century, this line of thinking will extend abroad, and we will see much more of this. There will be no end to the number of enemies on America's doorstep, and probably even more made-up ones like Saddam Hussein.

Let's go to David Frum and Richard Perle, from their book An End to Evil: How To Win The War On Terror:

  • Why the United States risks its security if it submits to the authority of the United Nations
  • Why France and Saudi Arabia have to be treated as adversaries, not allies, in the war on terror
  • Why the United States must take decisive action against Iran--now
  • What to do in North Korea if negotiations fail
  • Why everything you read in the newspapers about the Israeli-Arab dispute is wrong
  • How our government must be changed if we are to fight the war on terror to victory--not just stalemate
  • Where the next great terror threat is coming from--and what we can do to protect ourselves
Their book calls for unending war. War for the sake of just letting everyone else in the world know, including Americans, that their is no compromise. The prevailing attitude on the Right is that there is no one to talk to, no one to negotiate with, no one to share and exchange ideas with, they are all enemies. That includes all of our long-time allies, and our so-called current enemies. Isn't it pretty clear what the prescription is for North Korea if negotiations fail? Why bother, we have lots of weapons.

Leadership requires one of man's most innate qualities: empathy. If we as a people cannot see ourselves as others see us, even just for a moment, then why do some people in our country automatically assume that "they" are against us? No matter internal ot external? Filter Installed. Condition Permanent.

posted by FuzzFinger @ 3/28/2005 05:44:00 PM

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