tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573533210099052368.post6286790268262275292..comments2024-03-16T00:26:41.051-04:00Comments on Scaramouche: You've Got to Be Carefully Taught to Fear and Hatescaramouchehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04380374512378209528noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573533210099052368.post-91673772297975541112011-11-11T12:32:48.025-05:002011-11-11T12:32:48.025-05:00As always, CP, your comments are most edifiying.As always, CP, your comments are most edifiying.scaramouchehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04380374512378209528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6573533210099052368.post-68031850009894309822011-11-11T09:58:52.020-05:002011-11-11T09:58:52.020-05:00Well, Scaramouche, it probably is pointless to ask...Well, Scaramouche, it probably is pointless to ask why, in the sense of eliciting a rational response from the "'human rights'-y types." However, from the standpoint of what might be termed _sociopolitical ontology_, I think the question is useful in clarifying the underlying thought processes of said types.<br /><br />My own answer to the question is two-fold: <br /><br />(1) As I've said many times before, the Israelis are the designated honkies--and _ipso facto_ the vile oppressors--in the Middle East "narrative," while the Palestinian are the designated people of color--and _ipso facto_ virtuous victims of the honkies. I know, I know, it fails the reality test on many levels: historical, anthropological, geopolitical . . . but there you have it.<br /><br />(2) The Israelis are the industrious, conscientious, law-abiding small businessmen to the Palestinians' violence-prone, irresponsible, un-civic OWSers. In other words, the "authorities" find it easier to push the former around than the latter . . . you know, in the same way that Tea Partiers are forced to fill out reams of forms; abide by numerous restrictions as to time, place, and manner of assembly; pay extortionate fees; and post exorbitant bonds for the privilege of exercising their right to assemble. On the other hand, the OWSers get to squat for weeks and months in public squares and parks, which they proceed to turn into pig wallows, while extorting supplies and services from neighboring merchants (and trashing their stores in the process), blocking public rights-of-way and denying access to commons, and responding violently to (feeble) police efforts to impose some semblance of order on the process. The whole subject of permits, fees, bonds, rules and regulations to use public property is, of course, not even broached by the authorities in dealing with the OWS phenomenon.<br /><br />Yessiree, it's funny how sociopolitical dynamics works almost the same on the macro- as on the micro-scale: in our post-modern world, the nice, law-abiding, milquetoast little guy who says, "Yes, Officer," when told to move along is the one who gets rousted, not the violence-prone, antisocial type who flaunts his disregard of the law.Carlos Pererahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00253355647824872032noreply@blogger.com