Going bonkers over faith

[cleanhippie]

Yesterday, a nut-job demagogue held a huge rally in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, a majority of Americans object to the building of a peaceful cultural center in New York and one in five “believe” that the president is a Muslim, as though someone else’s professed religion is a matter for national referendum.

With Labor Day around the corner, it’s time to admit it.

The country has gone bonkers. We’re as feverish as a bad heat wave. Folks, behold the summer of our raging insanity.

The source of the madness blanketing this country like an ugly oil spill is unclear. Perhaps it began with the election of a black president, or maybe it goes back to 9-11. Maybe we’ve become so unhinged by the terrorist attacks that we deem it appropriate to scapegoat an entire religion, and tremble at the prospect that even our president is one of them.

----snip----

I hate when that happens. Mostly, though, I fear for this weird time in our history, when too many Americans favor spirits and demonization over facts and realities. (emphasis mine)




http://www.telegram.com/article/20100829/COLUMN01/8290381

[trotsky]

1. Irrational thinking breeds irrational thinking.

This country is phucked.

[cleanhippie]

2. Yep, especially if the neocons get back in power.

Say goodbye to rational thought and true religious freedom........

[struggle4progress]

3. "The source of the madness" is not at all unclear: it is the systematic

media production of various rightwing forces

This is not simply something that springs up unbidden from some dark national unconsciousness: it is carefully shaped by particular interests in the society and it is continually reproduced using industrial methods and advanced technology controlled by a small group of people

[cleanhippie]

4. I think I can agree with that.

Seems to makes sense to me.

[laconicsax]

5. I disagree with part of your premise.

Namely, the idea that people are crazier than in the past. I would argue that the crazy isn't new, just louder.

The unwillingness on the part of the media to clearly delineate fact and opinion/fiction certainly doesn't help.

[cleanhippie]

6. You may be right, but its not my premise.

The unwillingness on the part of the media to clearly delineate fact and opinion/fiction certainly doesn't help.

And that is the truth right there!

[wookie72]

7. The source of this madness is simple, IMHO

The notion that the motives of those who disagree with you (by which I mean anyone) are simple, while yours are complex.

How many times have we heard "they hate our freedoms," "they hate women/blacks/gays," "they just want to control us." EVERYBODY does this.