Yes, I agree, this culture prevails everywhere. Most of our media comes from south of the border. They say when the US sneezes, Canada gets a cold. But here in Canada, we have similar problems, and although influenced by the US, we are the authors of our own misery so to speak, and indeed, sometimes try to out-do the Americans in their headlong rush to this new world.
I forgot to add in my previous post the Afghan prisoners. That was another neat trick. Although the US waged war, invaded the country and wiped out the government, these prisoners are not prisoners of war. Strictly speaking, to be thus designated, they would enjoy certain privileges, so what to do is to re-classify them, put them into a kind of legal limbo, where you don't have to worry about any convention or scrutiny. They are now "unlawful combatants". They have no rights, and could stay prisoner forever. The war is over, the US has won, but these guys ain't goin nowhere soon, unless they meet certain conditions. That is the kind of whittling away of human rights, through spin and slant that I am sure the fathers of the US constitution would have abhorred.
Yes, I too believe the US has changed, has lost its idealism and is now advertising its new status. I see her in full battle dress, daring anyone to oppose her. It's not a pretty picture. Unfortunately, most Americans see a different image in the mirror.
Phil |
