WAR is COOL revisited
Just wanted to update this a bit, based on what I've read these past few days. The original post is below and of course is quite lengthy. It's prob like alot of my longer posts and runs around 2000 words. I don't write for anyone but myself so it's nice not to have to worry about "space" constraints.
Remember, the theme of the below post was the "fear" people should have not of Chinese Nationalism per say, but of American Nationalism. Nationalism being the root of many a war, from the Confederacy of the South to Japan in the 30's.
I came across on consecutive days a couple of stories which in my view illustrates the below rather well.
Here is a link to one story in particular:
In short, the above regards how American History should be taught in the Great State of Oklahoma. One may also refer to this state as America's Version of North Korea.
Many people have taken exception that certain parts of an Advanced History Class did not include certain parts of US History. As many a Chinese knows and well understands, it is silly to expect every important date to be included when it comes to History Class. Still, events such as D-Day and Bunker Hill seem to both have been excluded. Both seminal aspects of American History. The subject of the article above also railed at the tendency of the creators of the test to focus more on negative aspects of American History(hmmm...what other country worries about it's history being taught in too negative of a way ?)
In short, the lawmaker in the article wishes we could focus more on American Exceptionalism. This of course for close to two centuries has been a cornerstone of American cultural thought. Today, however, it is often associated with Very Conservative Thinking.
When a politician begins a sentence with the phrase "American Exceptionalism" today, you better perk yours ears up, as you damn well know the ending of that sentence will include a justification of some conflict with somebody.
Don't get me wrong, nearly all Americans(myself included) believe in the above concept. Yet many of us with the priviledge of having lived abroad have learned to take the above with a grain of salt. It is a dangerous phrase that can be manipulated, and abused, to justify one's own foreign policy agenda. It is a phrase best left unspoken. Especially by a right leaning politician. Left unchecked, it is a coda for putting America's stamp on more places around the globe.
Finally, with impeccable timing, I read today another quote from a famous, well known War Hero, and US Senator..... John McCain.
"I’m ashamed of my country, I’m ashamed of my president and I’m ashamed of myself....."
This is in reference to the Ukraine. He seems a bit upset that the USA hasn't quite frankly sent troops to Ukraine to help them in their fight against Big Bad Russia. He uses the word "aid", but it's actually code, in my view for American Troops.
My point in all this is tucked neatly in the below post I wrote a year ago: If left unchecked American Nationalism will cause us all problems.
This is what the Nationalists would do if they had their own way, neatly unfettered by practical thoughts of collateral damage and mindless casualties:
They'd invade Syria and Iran.
They'd possibly even attack Chinese airfields in the South China Sea.
They'd put US troops in Ukraine. Quick reminder here: The US has 3000 of it's top of the line battle tanks in storage. The Abrams M1A1. Why on earth we even built that many is beyond me. Very much beyond me. McCain would want to probably send these to the Ukraine, as well. These tanks would be perfect for Ukraine's terrain.
Further, it is true that jobs are being lost because the US military has stopped production of these tanks. It is also very true and worrisome that a country that depends upon military industrial production in order to maintain any semblance of national industrial might is also a nation held hostage by military spending. (next time someone tells you Eisenhower was a poor president, slap that person)
If the American Nationalists were elected to office though, you bet that tank factory would reopen.
What does one think Russia would do if the USA put tanks in Ukraine? Would Russia just lie down and whimper? Any aid we were to give Ukraine, would just be matched by Putin. We add tanks. He adds tanks. When does it stop? Anyone? Never mind the logistical nightmare of such an event. Nevermind the logical conclusion that the USA sending aid to Ukraine is akin to electing Putin for Life as President of Russia.
And guess where those ships carrying those tanks would have to travel through? Turkey's Bosphorous Straights of course. How long did it take China to get it's carrier out of that channel? Years? How are US Turkish relations today? Hell, how are Turkey's relations today with anyone? You think Turkey is just gonna look the other way as these tanks go through? you don't think their gonna want their pound of flesh? And what does Turkey want? They want Assad gone from Syria of course. In short, they want Syria to wind up just like Libya. A lawless territory(no longer a proper nation).
Bottom line: The Ukrainian Russian border would probably become much more heavily armed than it already is. And last I checked, Russia's supply lines are shorter than ours.
Of course, the Neanderthals we have in America today consider logistics a "black art" more than anything an ambitious, narrow minded politician should have to worry about. Ukraine is fucked. There's nothing we can do about it. Advantage Russia. Move on. The difference between the American Nationalists and everybody else is they want to "spread" democracy everywhere.....like Libya, for example. Well....tell us....how that work out?
A nation should only fight the battles it can win.
This is the danger of American Nationalism, and what the world better hope never sees the light of day in Power in DC. If these lunatics ever gain power it's bad news for everyone.
The original post is below:
It’s Olympic Time everybody, and that means it’s now time to finally talk about something that has lay dormant in my mind for the past several years, only to prop up again during this gathering of Nations.
Remember, the theme of the below post was the "fear" people should have not of Chinese Nationalism per say, but of American Nationalism. Nationalism being the root of many a war, from the Confederacy of the South to Japan in the 30's.
I came across on consecutive days a couple of stories which in my view illustrates the below rather well.
Here is a link to one story in particular:
In short, the above regards how American History should be taught in the Great State of Oklahoma. One may also refer to this state as America's Version of North Korea.
Many people have taken exception that certain parts of an Advanced History Class did not include certain parts of US History. As many a Chinese knows and well understands, it is silly to expect every important date to be included when it comes to History Class. Still, events such as D-Day and Bunker Hill seem to both have been excluded. Both seminal aspects of American History. The subject of the article above also railed at the tendency of the creators of the test to focus more on negative aspects of American History(hmmm...what other country worries about it's history being taught in too negative of a way ?)
In short, the lawmaker in the article wishes we could focus more on American Exceptionalism. This of course for close to two centuries has been a cornerstone of American cultural thought. Today, however, it is often associated with Very Conservative Thinking.
When a politician begins a sentence with the phrase "American Exceptionalism" today, you better perk yours ears up, as you damn well know the ending of that sentence will include a justification of some conflict with somebody.
Don't get me wrong, nearly all Americans(myself included) believe in the above concept. Yet many of us with the priviledge of having lived abroad have learned to take the above with a grain of salt. It is a dangerous phrase that can be manipulated, and abused, to justify one's own foreign policy agenda. It is a phrase best left unspoken. Especially by a right leaning politician. Left unchecked, it is a coda for putting America's stamp on more places around the globe.
Finally, with impeccable timing, I read today another quote from a famous, well known War Hero, and US Senator..... John McCain.
"I’m ashamed of my country, I’m ashamed of my president and I’m ashamed of myself....."
This is in reference to the Ukraine. He seems a bit upset that the USA hasn't quite frankly sent troops to Ukraine to help them in their fight against Big Bad Russia. He uses the word "aid", but it's actually code, in my view for American Troops.
My point in all this is tucked neatly in the below post I wrote a year ago: If left unchecked American Nationalism will cause us all problems.
This is what the Nationalists would do if they had their own way, neatly unfettered by practical thoughts of collateral damage and mindless casualties:
They'd invade Syria and Iran.
They'd possibly even attack Chinese airfields in the South China Sea.
They'd put US troops in Ukraine. Quick reminder here: The US has 3000 of it's top of the line battle tanks in storage. The Abrams M1A1. Why on earth we even built that many is beyond me. Very much beyond me. McCain would want to probably send these to the Ukraine, as well. These tanks would be perfect for Ukraine's terrain.
Further, it is true that jobs are being lost because the US military has stopped production of these tanks. It is also very true and worrisome that a country that depends upon military industrial production in order to maintain any semblance of national industrial might is also a nation held hostage by military spending. (next time someone tells you Eisenhower was a poor president, slap that person)
If the American Nationalists were elected to office though, you bet that tank factory would reopen.
What does one think Russia would do if the USA put tanks in Ukraine? Would Russia just lie down and whimper? Any aid we were to give Ukraine, would just be matched by Putin. We add tanks. He adds tanks. When does it stop? Anyone? Never mind the logistical nightmare of such an event. Nevermind the logical conclusion that the USA sending aid to Ukraine is akin to electing Putin for Life as President of Russia.
And guess where those ships carrying those tanks would have to travel through? Turkey's Bosphorous Straights of course. How long did it take China to get it's carrier out of that channel? Years? How are US Turkish relations today? Hell, how are Turkey's relations today with anyone? You think Turkey is just gonna look the other way as these tanks go through? you don't think their gonna want their pound of flesh? And what does Turkey want? They want Assad gone from Syria of course. In short, they want Syria to wind up just like Libya. A lawless territory(no longer a proper nation).
Bottom line: The Ukrainian Russian border would probably become much more heavily armed than it already is. And last I checked, Russia's supply lines are shorter than ours.
Of course, the Neanderthals we have in America today consider logistics a "black art" more than anything an ambitious, narrow minded politician should have to worry about. Ukraine is fucked. There's nothing we can do about it. Advantage Russia. Move on. The difference between the American Nationalists and everybody else is they want to "spread" democracy everywhere.....like Libya, for example. Well....tell us....how that work out?
A nation should only fight the battles it can win.
This is the danger of American Nationalism, and what the world better hope never sees the light of day in Power in DC. If these lunatics ever gain power it's bad news for everyone.
The original post is below:
It’s Olympic Time everybody, and that means it’s now time to finally talk about something that has lay dormant in my mind for the past several years, only to prop up again during this gathering of Nations.
Nationalism
When we think of the above what are we reminded of?
If you are thinking of well orchestrated rallies held in North Korea, the answer would be YES!
China during New Years Day Chunwan….absolutely!
And on and on and on…..
Except there is one place that should scare others the most. In my view there is one nation more nationalistic than most, more self assured and confident, brimming with swagger at all the seams, less leary of telling a foreigner to “piss off” than any other other.
America
When commentators speak of the extreme nationalistic rhetoric of Chinese media, or the unpredictable actions of North Korea, they show more than a glint of ignorance of the World’s Truly Nationalistic Society. Always simmering just below the surface, todays commentators, both American and Foreign, are ignorant of the Big Swinging Dick attitude existing in American society today.
They tell us to be sensitive when dealing with the Chinese. They ask we show restraint and caution when discussing North Korea. But no one ever thinks more than twice about the emotions within the USA.
Maybe it’s best I just not say anymore. For anyone who doesn’t believe me can just watch the Olympics this weekend. Can you hear the chant?
USA! USA! USA!
View the crowd. Most likely, half of them will be drunk, loud and obnoxious. And none of them will give a shit. Yes, I know most countries have similar chants abt themselves(whatever they are), but in my view the USA is more apt to display wanton patriotism, cum ugly nationalism, on a impromptu basis far more than anywhere else. At the drop of a hat. And this is a dangerous thing.
Unlike China, or anywhere else, no mass planning is needed. No buses need to be arranged to bring in students.(China?)
But back to the commentators of our day. The lazy among us fret with worry abt “disturbing the masses” when we discuss China, or unleashing the “nationalistic furor” when discussing armed conflict. Yes, it may be true. These things may occur. Yet the Media uses these phrases as a way to express to others around the world that China is not to be tangled with.
I say “you’re right”, but if we want to talk good old annoying, irritable Nationalism, the USA has China beat hands down. Not in numbers, but in “attitude”. WTF?, you ask? Here are the differences between Chinese and American Nationalism. And why American Nationalism is more dangerous. And why it’s a good thing.
In America, nationalism is real.
It’s not fake. It’s not contradictory. Today in China you have too many Chinese that hate Japan yet drive a Honda. Or have a Japanese camera. The USA, meanwhile, has long since gotten over it’s internal conflict with Japan. As long as they build their cars in America we’re all good. Honda now exports more cars from the USA than it sells. For all practical purposes, Honda is an American company now. It’s been “co-opted”. (is Toyota next?)
The Chinese have yet to solve the internal contradictions of hating people that employ them. Their nationalism is too specific. It’s mostly Japanese focused. It’s not broad enough. So in a way you can say it’s “convenient nationalism”.
Not in America. (See above) We may show nationalistic resentment towards China, but we have very little internal contradictions.
For example,(segue time) very few Chinese companies are here. Those that are, like to hire Chinese. It’s a joke really. I used to call Chinese suppliers up all the time. Suppliers with “American” offices (read LA, or NY). More often than not, the “employee” was a Chinese national who spoke English I could barely understand on the other end of the phone line. After awhile, I realized most of these “companies” were just like that.
“Just great”, I thought. “Another fucking Chinese company hiring only Chinese to work in their ofc”. So with few exceptions, most Chinese companies in America only hire Chinese. (ZTE and Haier are notable exceptions) So you see, it’s easy to be nationalistic towards Chinese in America if they don’t hire American workers.
A decade ago in Vegas, during the biggest electronics exhibition of the year, I finally unleashed on a Chinese “supplier” and started berating him in Mandarin. Pretty much all I said was “all you guys do is come here and hire people just like you.( ie non American citizens). Why don’t you hire Americans? Do you look down on us or something? Why would I want to work with you?” All he did was smile his stupid smile. Now, was I being racist? (American’s are sensitive abt things like that) No, I don’t think I was. I was just stating a simple fact, that pissed me off: you come here to get our business, and won’t even take the time to hire an American in your ofc, who speaks English. Remind me why I want to work with you ? Instead you hire someone I can barely understand. (maybe a green card holder, not an American)
And the reason you hired this person was simple: it’s convenient for you, and their CHEAP!
(Not to pick on the poor Chinese. I find the Koreans the same way. )
Do I hire Americans when I open an ofc in Shenzhen? Nope. I hire Chinese.
So as you can see, American nationalism has few internal soul searching contradictions towards the Chinese. If China created 10 million jobs in America, it might. (See me in 70 years)
The point above also illustrates American Nationalism has ATTITUDE.
Chinese nationalism doesn’t. (unless you’re Japanese) One often hears the Chinese Media screaming at God knows how many countries, but you never hear the Chinese complaining as such.
American culture is ARROGANT. It has SWAGGER. Why is that?
Is it because we’re King of the Hill? Not really. It’s because American Culture has grown up knowing it’s #1. Is this taught in schools? Of course not, Silly…..But it’s in the movies!
American Cinema has had a far more reaching impact on how Americans see themselves than Mom and Pop could ever give to their children. American Cinema is the Black Hand behind American Exceptionalism. (still another post) All Americans grow up knowing how badass they are. It’s naturally internalized from an early age. From the time of John Wayne to Clint Eastwood, to Independence Day and Saving Private Ryan, American’s have always kicked ass, and unless American Cinema goes the way of the dodo bird, always will.
Whose Ass have Chinese kicked in the Movies? Despite the near total extinction of MODESTY amongst many Chinese youth today, modesty is still considered a virtue in Chinese Society. American Cinema doesn’t teach modesty. Modesty isn’t entertaining. Killing the Bad Guy is. So what does China have as a society that can impact the way Chinese think of themselves? Cinema? (nope)
The only thing rivalling the impact of Media in America is the good ole CCP in China. 中国人民万岁！
American Media does a great job of retelling the American West. The stories of America at War. American Cinema is the American version of China’s Communist Propaganda Dept. Except America simply has a better story to tell, and tells it well. Too damn well. Thus Americans grow up with PRIDE, and quite frankly, an exaggerated view of themselves. We’ve drank as much of our koolaid as anyone.
China’s movie industry loves to talk about it’s ancient history, or make a movie abt yet another KMT spy, or maybe even another movie about how many Japanese they killed in the 30’s. But does Chinese Cinema inspire the Chinese? Does it instill an attitude? An identity?
As for America, add up our arrogance and our swagger, and our sense of Nationalism. And what do you get? 300 million people that think they are unstoppable, and can achieve anything they want, if only the politicians would get out of the way.
The below link in 90 seconds perfectly summarizes American Fervor. (I wonder if they show this overseas? I doubt it.)
And what does arrogance and swagger breed? For better or worse it breeds confidence.(or is it HUBRIS?) Chinese Nationalism lacks all these things. This is why in my view, Chinese Nationalism is a bit hollow. It’s Entertaining, but certainly not Frightening. The Chinese as a people just aren’t self confident enough yet. They have too much doubt amongst themselves. Though 5000 years old, they are STILL trying to figure out their place in the world. (this is a good thing).
America has no such qualms. For better or for worse, we know who we are. We know we’re number one, and we know it’s not even close.
But why is China after all this time still so unsure of it’s self? Simple. They haven’t kicked anyone’s ass, in a very, very long time. Korea was a nightmare the USA gracefully ended. Even Vietnam’s 2nd Team bloodied China’s nose. There is no Chinese Commander today that has seen one second of combat. No platoon that has driven anyone out of a town. So what is there in Chinese Cinema to “celebrate”?
What about China’s recent moves in the South China Sea? Is that the action of a confident nation? Nope, that’s the action of a bureaucratic class that can makes decisions without accountability. The Chinese Masses just follow along. Thus the potential for HUBRIS. In the West, it’s hard to have HUBRIS when there is freedom of the press within your society. (trust me, it’s still possible) One simply cannot escape accountability. However, HUBRIS is always more apparent in CLOSED societies. And that’s why closed societies as a rule are always more dangerous(unpredictable?)
Finally, America is in your FACE. A whole generation of kids have grown up on violent video games. Nearly every generation since 1917 has been to WAR. It’s as if it’s a population in perpetual training for combat. But with the popularity of military themed video games, the Youth of America damn near are starting to think War is Cool. There is great prestige in America society if one is a former soldier. (like in many countries, but esp so in the States’)
Hollywood loves a Winner. It loves to tell a good story. It’s an neverending cycle. America goes to War. Comes home the Jaded, Wounded Warrior. Emotionally Scarred. (Only Hollywood can make it a dignified event. ) Next generation see’s the great prestige these soldiers have, the free college education, the chicks, and high on the latest Video Game and Hollywood movie, can’t wait to get into the fight.
Scary, scary stuff. The USA thus is ever producing a generation anxious for the same prestige bestowed upon an uncle, or an older brother.
When will it stop?
And here is why it can’t:
The world needs a Big Swinging Dick. A people with attitude, high on the latest military video game, with the gleam of a relative’s medal in his eye. Quite often for worse, but sometimes for better, it needs a nation on the planet willing to send it’s youth into harms way. More importantly, Hollywood needs it, too.
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