We have been there before

[OETKB]

I was reading some passages from Mark Twain and was struck by these two examples:

<http://www.lnstar.com/mall/literature/warpray.htm>

<http://www.peterboroughcollective.org/36twain.htm>

It is time to start a peace movement again, but now with the kind of protest which makes people examine their silent motives. The people must be moved to reason, not anger. How to do this?

Sorry for the little typo and thanks for the reminder.

[RC]

1. Always check to make sure links work.

http://www.lnstar.com/mall/literature/warpray.htm

[MissMarple]

2. A return to reason. Good question.

I don't think the government thinks its best interest lies in cultivating a growth of reason among the citizenry. We will have to use the media, the arts, and the churches. I don't see any other way.

"Before long you will see this curious thing: the speakers stoned from the platform, and free speech strangled by hordes of furious men who in their secret hearts are still at one with those stoned speakers -- as earlier -- but do not dare to say so. And now the whole nation -- pulpit and all -- will take up the war-cry, and shout itself hoarse, and mob any honest man who ventures to open his mouth; and presently such mouths will cease to open. Next the statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them, and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself that the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self-deception."

[Martin Eden]

3. "grotesque self deception"

I liked this snippet; it could have been written about Iraq:

Next the statesmen will invent cheap lies, putting the blame upon the nation that is attacked, and every man will be glad of those conscience-soothing falsities, and will diligently study them, and refuse to examine any refutations of them; and thus he will by and by convince himself that the war is just, and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self-deception."