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Indybay Feature

US: A CULTURE IN DENIAL

by loel (loel [at] coolrio.com)
How can the people of the US come to grips with the knowledge that their leadership has been involved in some of the worst acts of terror known to the planet?
Psychologists report that in abusive relationships the abusers often display an attitude of denial of their behavior even when faced with overwhelming evidence to the contrary. This phenomenon is the current dysfunction of the most abusive sovereign state on the planet. The political entity known as the United States of America, through its leadership and media are having trouble acknowledging the fact that the US engages in terrorism on a grand scale and has meted out some of the most horrendous terror ever wreaked upon the planet.

THREE MILLION VIETNAMESE were KILLED by the US in a war the reason for which we are still trying to figure out. Academics studying the war tend to agree that it was not about halting the “domino effect” of communism, as was told to the US populace by their leaders. Oh, and what about the ONE MILLION CAMBODIANS who DIED in illegal bombings directed by former US Secretary of State Henry Kissenger? But can these acts of violence compete with the current killing of FIVE THOUSAND CHILDREN PER MONTH in Iraq as a result of economic sanctions imposed by the US? To demonstrate the extent of the state of denial being exhibited by the US one need only remember the comment of former Secretary of State Madeline Albright when she said, with a straight face, that the DEATHS OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND IRAQUI CHILDREN is an acceptable price for the furtherance of US goals.

The list goes on and on . . . the policy of GENOCIDE PRACTICED ON NATIVE AMERICANS . . . the huge numbers of MINORITIES EXHILED TO GHETTOS palatably referred to as “public housing.’’ . . . the OVERTHROW OF LEGITATELY ELECTED GOVERNMENTS in Guatemala and Chile and elsewhere . . the missile firings that were responsible for KILLING INNOCENT CHILDREN, MOTHERS AND FATHERS IN KOSOVO. . .; and of course, who can forget the SUPPORT OF APARTHIED PRACTICES OF ISRAELIS? For more go to:

http://houston.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=1399&group=webcast

History of US Interventions

This attitude of denial for past and current bizarre behavior on the part of the US leadership appears to have infiltrated many living within the boundaries claimed by that sovereign entity. This is true even though many who live within the borders of that nation-state have experienced abuse at the hands of the same leadership that is inflicting terrorist practices on other parts of the world. Victims of state abuse through sanctioned police violence are not admitting that the government of the United States is one that will and often does use violence and terror even at home to carry out its policies and thereby perpetuate itself.

The questions arise: What is to be done with an abuser who is in denial? Or as in this case, what is to be done with a whole nation-state that seems to be in a state of denial? Those from a criminal justice perspective would call for incarceration or some other type of punishment. Behavioral psychologists might recommend intervention and therapy. Others would call for different solutions. However, followers of most schools of thought agree that an abuser must get beyond the state of denial, accept and understand their errant behavior, before being able to move on to a fixing of the problem. If we are really a waking giant, as the designated leader of the political entity known as the United States of America has recently stated, we can only hope that this awakening is the beginning of realizing this state of denial and an admission of our own terroristic practices. The bottom line is that until the US can admit that its activities are acts of terror, the world is not safe. So far no US official is able to admit this propensity for terrorist acts. No one in a position of leadership in the US has made that step.
by Shaka
<yawn>
by Stevie Steve
Here's an example that might clear up your confusion...

After invading Kuwait, the US forces Iraq back into its borders.

Saddam signs a peace agreement where he agrees to allow inspections in his country to make sure he is not producing biological and nuclear weapons, and to no fly zones to protect ethnic groups like the Kurds.There are sanctions defined as consequences if Saddam does not comply with what he agreed to.

So Saddam hassles the inspectors and blocks inspections. He flies in the no fly zones. He attacks ethnic groups in Iraq. This leads to sanctions, then Saddam cries "foul."

Furthermore, Saddam has been given permission to sell oil for food and medical supplies for his people. He refuses to sell unless he can control the profits, therefore, millions of potential $ for food and medicine for the people of Iraq are not attained.

In short Saddam tries to hold the people of Iraq hostage in order to get out of the agreements he made with the US to stop the Gulf war. He propagandizes that its all the US's fault, but he is the true root cause.



Now the US has done both good and bad things w.r.t foreign policy, but how many countries have been attacked, have to fight a bitter battle, and then rebuild the countries that we defeat (note Germany, Japan and Italy from WWII)? How many countries would be flying in air drops of food like we are in Afghanistan?
by Kiz O'Mek
Women and children are suffering in Iraq because of the sanctions. The sanctions reduce the leadership of Iraq to only spending the billions of dollars they get from oil production on weapons and research on WMD. (note: sarcasm)

What do you think will happen if/when we lift the sanctions? You think Saddam will step back and say, "Whew, that's a relief! Now, with all of this additional money, I can fund all those social welfare programs I've been wanting for all these years!"

I don't think so.

He will take the additional resources and also direct them towards his WMD research programs, allowing him to achieve his goal more quickly. Since he is supportive of many terrorist groups (either implicitly or tacitly) it's likely that one of these types of weapons will find it's way here, and I don't think the terrorists care whether or not you are against our foreign policy. Radiation, chemicals and microbes are neither selective nor compassionate.
by u.s. powerless
So, the U.S. is powerless to depose Saddam Hussein? Boy, you all must have your TV surgically attached to your brain. Saddam is there because it is politically effective for the U.S. government. Why do you think George Sr didnt take him out? Why do you think Saddam was an ally of ours throughout all of the 80s?

People are so stupid.

Redneck: "But I watched CNN during the Gulf War!! Thats not what they told me!!"

Everyone else: "Yes, but you are a stupid, brainwashed patriot."
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