Fair point. That'll be around when Bin Laden was the CIA's 'secret weapon' n in Afghanistan - he might have been anti-west but GODDAMNIT he was no Commie and, by resisting the Soviets, automatically on the side of the Angels.
How that has come back to bite the US, and the CIA in particular, in the ass. They trained him and armed him without thinking where he would set his sights once the communist menace was gone.
I'm sure there are a few more "former-proxy" armies left over from the Cold War just waiting to step upon the world stage and thoroughly bite the hand which once fed it.
Back onto topic:
I have a feeling the general political lurch to the right and several steps backwards on the liberal march of progress in recent times is due to several factors. Firstly, it is a reaction to the 60s and 70s periods of general openness - these things go in cycles. Look at the regency period. Decadence and Dandyism was rife, as well as sexual and moral degeneracy. What age followed that period? The Victorian era - possibly the most reserved, moralistic and poker-faced age ever! Secondly the hangover from the Thatcher years - everyone was told they could have it all, and that greed was good and by the time it dawned on people that by assett stripping the country for short-term gain they were sawing off the metaphorical branch that they were sitting on, it was too late. People indeed 'had it all' but, unfortunately, there are a lot of people and 'all' divided by a lot of people becomes 'sod all' rather too easily. Thirdly, it is the last death throws of Christianity. The writing has been on the wall since the dawn of scientific method - religion in western society is playing less and less of a role in peoples' lives and so, in a bid to enforce relevancy it is poking its nose in everywhere it is not wanted.
If we simply sit quietly and wait, it will die a quiet death and become an interesting and diverting footnote in the pages of history soon enough.
Incidentally, I am awaiting with barely suppressed anticipation the dawning of the next age, after this one, which should be very liberated indeed. I only hope I am still young enough to enjoy it when it rolls around :)
ncidentally, I am awaiting with barely suppressed anticipation the dawning of the next age, after this one, which should be very liberated indeed. I only hope I am still young enough to enjoy it when it rolls around :)
Perhaps - From my point of view, I look around at the general attitude of 18 - 30 YOs, myself included, and see a general discomfort with the state of affairs as it stands - I personally think all generations react negatively to the societal norms they are exposed to in their youth, as they consciously or unconsciously see these as the reasons for all that is wrong with the world.
Consequently, when some of these same individuals go on to shape society, be it through artistic, political or cultural means, these unconscious biases come into play - thus come the cycles.
I can't see anyone growing up in the current climate of fear and control from Governments advocating anything but the most stringent liberalism when they are in the metaphorical driving seat :)
How that has come back to bite the US, and the CIA in particular, in the ass. They trained him and armed him without thinking where he would set his sights once the communist menace was gone.
I'm sure there are a few more "former-proxy" armies left over from the Cold War just waiting to step upon the world stage and thoroughly bite the hand which once fed it.
Back onto topic:
I have a feeling the general political lurch to the right and several steps backwards on the liberal march of progress in recent times is due to several factors. Firstly, it is a reaction to the 60s and 70s periods of general openness - these things go in cycles. Look at the regency period. Decadence and Dandyism was rife, as well as sexual and moral degeneracy. What age followed that period? The Victorian era - possibly the most reserved, moralistic and poker-faced age ever! Secondly the hangover from the Thatcher years - everyone was told they could have it all, and that greed was good and by the time it dawned on people that by assett stripping the country for short-term gain they were sawing off the metaphorical branch that they were sitting on, it was too late. People indeed 'had it all' but, unfortunately, there are a lot of people and 'all' divided by a lot of people becomes 'sod all' rather too easily. Thirdly, it is the last death throws of Christianity. The writing has been on the wall since the dawn of scientific method - religion in western society is playing less and less of a role in peoples' lives and so, in a bid to enforce relevancy it is poking its nose in everywhere it is not wanted.
If we simply sit quietly and wait, it will die a quiet death and become an interesting and diverting footnote in the pages of history soon enough.
Incidentally, I am awaiting with barely suppressed anticipation the dawning of the next age, after this one, which should be very liberated indeed. I only hope I am still young enough to enjoy it when it rolls around :)
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I hope you're right. I'm not as optimistic :/
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Consequently, when some of these same individuals go on to shape society, be it through artistic, political or cultural means, these unconscious biases come into play - thus come the cycles.
I can't see anyone growing up in the current climate of fear and control from Governments advocating anything but the most stringent liberalism when they are in the metaphorical driving seat :)
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