7/07/2005 09:35:00 PM|||Joe|||So I've looked around at various reactions. They seem to fall into three camps:I am currently very much in the third camp about this. It seems no matter what happens, people politicize things. I understand the tendency, but I think it's useless. Or worse, counterproductive.

Why do people so easily fall into the first two camps? Both groups consider themselves enlightened, I suppose. They think those with opposing thoughts are morons.

Then again, I suppose it's unfair to ascribe these reactions to cynicism. I don't know.

But I read something today from an American apologizing to the British, claiming that it was somehow America's fault.

WTF?

On the other side, check out a selection from this jerk's post:
I’m tired. I’ve been up all night waiting to hear from my best friend, who is visiting in downtown London this week. He’s probably fine, but I’ve got a feeling he’ll understand the importance of fighting terrorism and tyranny much better now — as will many others. My best wishes to everyone in London. The bastards are trying to bring this fight to your doorstep; don’t let them in…
Why not worry more about whether they're ok? You can concentrate on how you'll cynically influence their political views later.

I swear, people take every chance they can to bang the patriotic drum or to denigrate their country. Take your pick.

I mean, people are free to think however they want and say whatever they want. I'd just like to think that when things calm down people will be more level-headed about this. Or at least have something useful to say. I can dream.|||112079883470772323|||More on London...7/08/2005 08:28:00 AM|||Blogger cczernia|||I fall into apolitical or "I don't really care." There are terrorist bombings all the time all over the world. How often do we hear about terrorist bombing in Iraq and all it is now is another blurb. But now it is in London and now I'm suppose to really care. I don't think so.7/08/2005 09:47:00 AM|||Blogger Joe|||By "apolitical" I didn't mean "I don't care."

Let me put it this way. If I got stabbed, would you just shrug and say, "Hey man, people get stabbed all the time all over the world. How often do people get stabbed in the UK and Japan? But now you got stabbed and I'm supposed to really care? I don't think so."

There's nothing wrong or abnormal about being moved by one event and less by a similar one. Context is relevant.

Britain is a close ally and they have a very similar culture to ours. We identify strongly with them. Not to mention they are our "mother" country. That's why most people care.

But I don't buy this argument that since there's attrocities all over the place, we're not justified (or we're somehow hypocritical) in mourning one unless we mourn them all.7/08/2005 10:10:00 AM|||Blogger cczernia|||I figured that but out of 3 categories to choose form that one was the closest.

People can feel whatever they want. I've not a few who feel guilty for not caring. But I'm not going to feel guilty for not caring. If say, the same thing happened here I may care more.

It is about on par with London winning the Olympics.