If you wonder why the Left hates America...
I just reread Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It's about stirring up revolution. There's a Lunar colony that is under the tyrannical Earth-based "Authority." The Loonies develop a plan to liberate themselves.
I'd read this as a kid. I noticed it on the shelf a few weeks ago and I remembered that it was a neat little handbook on organizing revolution and insurrection, so I thought I'd take a look at it again and see how it harmonizes with current events.
There are lots of interesting connections, but the one that stands out the most -- and the one that I'd totally overlooked as a kid -- is that the entire enterprise depends on creating and amplifying hatred. The hate factor is laced throughout the book. The Loonies are constantly working to drum up hate among their constituents.
And of course we see the same thing everywhere today. Internally, we see it between the Left and the Right. Limbaugh, Coulter, Hannity, et al, hammering "liberals" while Kos, Air America, the DNC, FSTV, et al, hammer "rightwingers."
Externally, we've got -- well, the list is too long and obvious to even start. But it's a nasty infection and it seems to be spreading. It's spreading because of the increasing acceptance of the idea that it's ok to hate; that hatred is natural; that hatred is effective. If hatred is natural and effective, then hey -- let's use it! Let's start with the justified grievances people have and amplify them. Agitate!
We'd better get a grip. |
