The Stranger in the Mirror (Bob Hebert)

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

by Bob Herbert

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0914-33.htm

<snip>

What I thought was the greatest expression of the American character in my lifetime occurred in the immediate aftermath of those catastrophic attacks. The country came together in the kind of resolute unity that I imagined was similar to the feeling most Americans felt after Pearl Harbor. We soon knew who the enemy was, and there was remarkable agreement on what needed to be done. Americans were united and the world was with us.

For a brief moment.

The invasion of Iraq marked the beginning of the change in the American character. During the Cuban missile crisis, when the hawks were hot for bombing — or an invasion — Robert Kennedy counseled against a U.S. first strike. That’s not something the U.S. would do, he said.

Fast-forward 40 years or so and not only does the U.S. launch an unprovoked invasion and occupation of a small nation — Iraq — but it does so in response to an attack inside the U.S. that the small nation had nothing to do with...

[babylonsister]

1. A sad but important commentary; thanks. nt

[ixion]

2. We are entering a phase of neobarbarism, which, when coupled with

technology, fear and religions fervor will, IMO, bring about that Armageddon that all the fundies are praying so hard for.

:-(

[yurbud]

6. a caveat--most people have jumped off the neobarb lynch mob bandwagon

We might still crash, but I feel better knowing that at least the majority of Americans won't be pushing our country off the cliff and cheering when it smashes in flames as would have been the case in 2002 to 2004.

[raccoon]

3. Can someone translate what it says at the bottom of the picture? nt

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

4. It's supposed to say...

..."No it's not the booze, citizen."

[tomreedtoon]

5. "This is a good night for Schnapps and a burger."

Otherwise known as the Idiot's Oktoberfest Feast.