My formative years were spent within the context of the Cold War where fear and loathing of Russians, and their satellites, was considered appropriate, if not encouraged. Sometime after the cessation of that productive period of industrial and military expansion, I was encouraged to shift my focus to the Islamic radicals. This new enemy was smaller in size and not as economically powerful as our old enemy. But they were quite effective. Foolishly, at the time, I thought there might have been a link between Western (oil) interests, the uncritical support for Israel in the Middle East and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. However, since the days of Bush Sr. I have learned that the West has been acting in the spirit of fellowship and goodwill. Our mission in the Middle East is to economically enhance the lives of its citizens and introduce them to the pleasures of democracy. This has been especially true since the WTC bombing of 2001.
Recently, I have been feeling pressure to add to my list of enemies. In fact, it may not be a new enemy; rather it is an old one, the Russians. I am led to believe they are stirring sedition in Ukraine and unconstitutionally supported or encouraged, if you will, Crimea’s vote to secede. As I am not completely familiar with the context and histories of the Slavs, I turn to news sources and opinions of experts on the region. Fox, CNN, CBC and the BBC are the approved sources for this kind of exercise. After all, they get their information directly from government sources, sources which, apparently, have no vested interest in the matter.
A month or two ago, I made an error in judgement and sought out the Russia Today (RT) news service to consider another perspective. I thought that to seek a balance of competing sources would give me some additional insight and further inform my opinion. I did not consider RT an alternative news source. Progressive politicos (the lunatic fringe, I am told) would likely sneer at my choice. However, I have learned that John Kerry has accused RT of being propagandists. Jen Psaki has also snubbed RT and those like-minded during a press conference announcement about a gathering on the Freedom of the Press. I could not bear the weight of this information so I immediately deleted the app on my tablet and hurriedly returned to my regular sources of truth. Given similar circumstances, I am certain you would do the same.
To seek out official sources and accept their coverage and opinions uncritically is the mark of good citizenship. Dissenting voices are fine as long as they are not given serious attention or a larger platform. We must rest in the comfort of the leadership, guidance and insights our officials provide. It is for our own good.
Officials let us know that the 2011 Fukushima disaster (isolated only to a small section of northern Japan) would have no effect in the West; neither would the leaks reach our atmosphere nor our western shores. Recall that the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 was responsible for less than 50 deaths and a mere 1% increase in childhood thyroid cancers in Belarus (WHO). It would appear that I am in error by calling these events disasters. Minor mishaps would be more appropriate. Perhaps they were only slight errors in the risks associated with control and containment. Eventually, I suppose, they will have never occurred.
I feel at ease now. I have benevolent leaders and their spokespeople providing me with the narrative I require to continue my contributions to the Western cause. I shall earn a living to consume goods and worry more about celebrity gossip than the intricacies of propaganda wars (while the actual wars continue) or the complexities of international relations.
I feel good. Don’t you?
Herr Doktor
Recently, I have been feeling pressure to add to my list of enemies. In fact, it may not be a new enemy; rather it is an old one, the Russians. I am led to believe they are stirring sedition in Ukraine and unconstitutionally supported or encouraged, if you will, Crimea’s vote to secede. As I am not completely familiar with the context and histories of the Slavs, I turn to news sources and opinions of experts on the region. Fox, CNN, CBC and the BBC are the approved sources for this kind of exercise. After all, they get their information directly from government sources, sources which, apparently, have no vested interest in the matter.
A month or two ago, I made an error in judgement and sought out the Russia Today (RT) news service to consider another perspective. I thought that to seek a balance of competing sources would give me some additional insight and further inform my opinion. I did not consider RT an alternative news source. Progressive politicos (the lunatic fringe, I am told) would likely sneer at my choice. However, I have learned that John Kerry has accused RT of being propagandists. Jen Psaki has also snubbed RT and those like-minded during a press conference announcement about a gathering on the Freedom of the Press. I could not bear the weight of this information so I immediately deleted the app on my tablet and hurriedly returned to my regular sources of truth. Given similar circumstances, I am certain you would do the same.
To seek out official sources and accept their coverage and opinions uncritically is the mark of good citizenship. Dissenting voices are fine as long as they are not given serious attention or a larger platform. We must rest in the comfort of the leadership, guidance and insights our officials provide. It is for our own good.
Officials let us know that the 2011 Fukushima disaster (isolated only to a small section of northern Japan) would have no effect in the West; neither would the leaks reach our atmosphere nor our western shores. Recall that the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 was responsible for less than 50 deaths and a mere 1% increase in childhood thyroid cancers in Belarus (WHO). It would appear that I am in error by calling these events disasters. Minor mishaps would be more appropriate. Perhaps they were only slight errors in the risks associated with control and containment. Eventually, I suppose, they will have never occurred.
I feel at ease now. I have benevolent leaders and their spokespeople providing me with the narrative I require to continue my contributions to the Western cause. I shall earn a living to consume goods and worry more about celebrity gossip than the intricacies of propaganda wars (while the actual wars continue) or the complexities of international relations.
I feel good. Don’t you?
Herr Doktor