Pax Nortona – A Blog by Joel Sax
From the Land of the Lost Blunderbuss
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The Unknown American Mind
Posted on September 27, 2002 in The Home Front
I’ve seen one fellow wearing a grease-stained American flag t-shirt signed “PROUD AMERICAN” these past two days. I’ve mentioned a few loudmouths who’ve chattered eagerly about what kind of pyrotechnics we can expect to see in the blitzkreig on Bagdhad or, who like the toothpick-legs man, shouted out jingoist slogans to no one in particular. Though the news rack attracts nearly every customer at Tully’s, most people keep the substance of their minds cloaked in their skulls’ calcium shells. The only sound I hear is the crack and snap of the pages as they flip from the front page to the continuations and then on to the sports section.
This suggests to me that most people don’t know what to think about Mr. Bush’s War. Many pray that it won’t happen. If assured of a secret ballot, they would vote against it based on the flimsy exhibits blared (and Blaired) over the airwaves. Corner them, however, and they will just go along. They nod faintly at the American flag suspended over the coffee shop counter, get their drinks, and slip away. I do not count this as enthusiasm. Nor do I trust it to resist oppression.
I’ve been a little disappointed that no one other than a Canadian has acknowledged the existence of the link to Not in Our Name. I have some theories why people are avoiding it:
- The first is the most hopeful: I posted the link in the middle of the week as they were hard at work meeting deadlines. I’ve posted a lot since then and it just got buried. Perhaps this reminder will prompt them to join the call.
- A few who come here probably don’t agree with the statement. Of course they won’t sign.
- Of those who do agree, I wonder if they fear that I might be an operative in the pay of John Ashcroft. I’m not surprised by this fear and the only thing I can give is my assurance that I am not.
- More chilling is the possibility that people are afraid to sign it for fear of being labeled subversives. They agree with the words, consider this “War on Terrorism” to be the hubris of the president, but speak not because of the dwindling respect for civil rights. I find this personally disheartening and more terrifying than if I heard the knock of the Ashcroft secret police at my door because by keeping their silence, they cause Ashcroft and Bush to think they have more support than they actually do. If this war on terrorism keeps spiralling, I do not doubt that I will be in one of the next waves to be brought in for questioning on “matters of national security”. They will think they can get away because they will think that I am alone. Please, if you oppose what Bush does in the name of 9-11, please sign the statement. Show them your patriotism and regard for the Bill of Rights.
