Like you, I think, I am overwhelmed by the fact that it never changes, or at (although there were some years I thought it was) has not changed in my 73 years. We have been warned over and over again by the likes of Hannah Arendt, Richard Rorty, et al, but those of us who get their message and seek peaceful lives seem to have no story powerful enough to overcome the story of power.
I can tell you as a liberal free-thinking Canadian living in rural NH during the Bush -Cheney "War on Terror," I thought I was losing my mind, living in a parallel universe, so alone I was in my thinking. Eventually, I decided to never broach the subject.
Now, 20 years later, I understand this is just the way America ensures it has economic dominance. The reasons for war, in accordance to this economic dictum, are less important than ensuring any threat to economic dominance are dealt with, sometimes via sanctions, often by military force.
It does not matter if it makes sense. It does not matter if trillions are spent. It sounds nuts to us here in Canada, but the use of reason is not part of American foreign policy.
Yes. And yes and yes. It’s hard to believe how long ago it was now but the reasoning stays the same. I can’t forget how surreal it was living in Boston at the time and feeling the press of that parallel universe.
Thank you for your thoughts on this topic and for your presence. I'm here by way of Chris La Tray's newsletter and was inspired by him to read your book, A Walking Life, which I am now recommending to friends. I was especially moved by what you wrote about the Montana Vet Program.
I can't tell you what that means to me, having so much respect for Chris and his work. Thank you. And thank you in particular for the comment on the Montana Vet Program. That is in fact the story in the book I get asked about the least, and it saddens me because, as I wrote, I think it's the most important. 🧡
Like you, I think, I am overwhelmed by the fact that it never changes, or at (although there were some years I thought it was) has not changed in my 73 years. We have been warned over and over again by the likes of Hannah Arendt, Richard Rorty, et al, but those of us who get their message and seek peaceful lives seem to have no story powerful enough to overcome the story of power.
I can tell you as a liberal free-thinking Canadian living in rural NH during the Bush -Cheney "War on Terror," I thought I was losing my mind, living in a parallel universe, so alone I was in my thinking. Eventually, I decided to never broach the subject.
Now, 20 years later, I understand this is just the way America ensures it has economic dominance. The reasons for war, in accordance to this economic dictum, are less important than ensuring any threat to economic dominance are dealt with, sometimes via sanctions, often by military force.
It does not matter if it makes sense. It does not matter if trillions are spent. It sounds nuts to us here in Canada, but the use of reason is not part of American foreign policy.
Yes. And yes and yes. It’s hard to believe how long ago it was now but the reasoning stays the same. I can’t forget how surreal it was living in Boston at the time and feeling the press of that parallel universe.
Thanks for linking back to this.
Thanks for reading, John!
Thank you for your thoughts on this topic and for your presence. I'm here by way of Chris La Tray's newsletter and was inspired by him to read your book, A Walking Life, which I am now recommending to friends. I was especially moved by what you wrote about the Montana Vet Program.
I can't tell you what that means to me, having so much respect for Chris and his work. Thank you. And thank you in particular for the comment on the Montana Vet Program. That is in fact the story in the book I get asked about the least, and it saddens me because, as I wrote, I think it's the most important. 🧡
Great writing. Very proud of you.