The Collapse of Enlightenment...

THE COLLAPSE OF ENLIGHTENMENT


by Richard Neville

http://www.opednews.com

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Long ago, there was a widespread consensus that Britain and its allies emerged from World War 2 with an enhanced moral stature. Tales of gutsy pilots pitting their Spitfires against the Luftwaffe served to nourish some of us through the wintry years of boarding school. A line of Western leaders from Winston Churchill to JFK exuded an aura of valour, integrity and pizzazz; despite their flaws, despite the sanitised memoirs. Then came Vietnam. And with it the realisation that all men are equal in the capacity to commit war crimes, no matter what their flag.

This is why noble leaders are vital. It is why the Geneva
Conventions matter. It is why a free press is exalted, though almost
extinct. It is why a 100 countries have joined the International Criminal Court, despite bullying and blackmail from the US (cutting off aid to around 40 friendly countries who refuse to immunise its troops from prosecution). Thuggery knows no boundaries, as the terror wars are teaching us, but we can sometimes see its face. It was John Bolton who pulled the US out of the Criminal Court in 2002, and it was John Bolton who stymied the UN's recent attempt to condemn Israel's assault on the civilians of Lebanon. There are many such faces at the pyramid's apex.

The tone of an era is shaped by its senior decision makers. The West is sinking into the cesspit under the weight of leaders who stink. It is why we are tongue-lashed by liars financed by oil billionaires. It is why elections are stolen. It is why our presidents and Prime Ministers promote democracy abroad and befoul it at home. It is why the West is bereft of moral authority and keeps backing wars that backfire. It is why Tony Blair has called for a "fundamental reappraisal of British and US foreign Policy". Too late Tony, by too many years and too many bodies. Nothing you say rings true; fly off to MurdochWorld®, where dancing to the madman's tune will fill the coffers.

The rest of the article is at: http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_richard__060803_the_collapse_of_enli.htm

K&R

It is the endarkenment.

Your username reflects reality in Bushamerica. Thanks for the Rec!

that was Israel has turned into a madman with a missile launcher in his pocket"." Wow. that says it all. Also powerful

"Citizens of America, Britain and Australia now seem to accept that their democracies are acting like fascist states, though on tiptoe, not in goosestep... What really goes on in the collective mind of this imperial trio, each one brilliantly equipped to claw his way to the top of the power-heap...?

All three profess to be Christians. All three have shared prayer meetings. What is binding Blair to Bush so idiotically, in this matter of perpetual war? How does the insane belligerence of Rupert Murdoch's media tie in with their delusions?

In the context of current events in the Middle East, the quotes contained here are scary:
http://wwwjohnhowardpm.org./thefirethistime.pdf


CRACKING THE WALLS OF A FORTRESS

Since 9/11, the actions of all these leaders have ensured the opposite of what they pretend to want. A US friend remarks, "the fiddler on the roof that was Israel has turned into a madman with a missile launcher in his pocket"."




Thanks for posting. Recommended.