I-deology of Winning
Another year has passed and we witnessed again our president trivialize the institutions of the presidency with another meaningless State of the Union speech which contained nary a bold policy to change this country for the better. In foreign policy the dramatic shift was made years ago in 2002, and now it nears fruition as the President intensified his rhetoric towards Iran. But somethig else loomed in his speech when the discussion turned towards his thoughts on escalating America's military prescence in Iraq.
It is something a casual listener of the news will also hear from conservatives, pundits, and other media types. It is an idea that has little relation to the truth, or what is the right path in foreign affairs, yet it fuels America's current decision-making process.
Let's flash back four years ago, to the buildup to the invasion of Iraq. Half the case for attacking was that America would triumphantly prevail. It was the underlying fact that allowed Americans the convenience of ignoring the merits and ignoble justifications for war. The early boasts of our leaders were widely accepted as true and now our political elites hide their embarassment by demanding they be allowed to increase our committment in this war that is not ours to win. It really was not ours to win, it is history, it is culture, it is animosity bore out of our support for brutality of one man during one period of time, and then our change of heart.
This tragedy that is Iraq is America's fault, but tragedy is never described by its winners and losers, but solely by the depth of its horror and sorrow. In our national debate its only mention today is that it will be worse if we do not WIN. It appears now, that in the media, to our political elites, and to our president and his ilk, that our only moral failure in Iraq is that it is not a definitive victory. The howling criticism from so many political elites, cried that we were sold a fake victory. So now our president, pleads to allow him another chance to win it all. A win will undo all the evil we have seen.
It is this mantra, "We must win." or rather "We will win." It enables our failure, furthers our country's descent into tyranny, continues the incoherence of thought among our highest decision-makers. We simply must not lose, even if there is nothing here to win or lose. In American politics we are obsessed with the word and it destroys the fabric of our republic. A win in Iraq will not end any conflict. At best a win will slow the conflict, pacify the tensions for period of time so that America can have its "win". But it will never soothe the hatred, undo the devastation, or heal the wounds wrought by our invasion.
But this thinking is easily perpetuated in our culture. In America winning is an ideology in itself. It cuts across party lines, religious belief. Americans are always bent on winning. We are trained from the beginning of our lives that winning is our proof of self-worth. Many Americans proclaim moderation in political thought because it is a winner. It is thought worthy and virtuous to be in the middle because it wins and because to far to one side or another loses. But the only thing that is worthy is the truth. And the truth is that moderation of politics has no inherent worth when both sides are wrong. It is in America today a virtue to be in the middle of what is wrong.
The leadership of the Democratic Party is so high off winning that it merely bases the merit of its candidates on their ability to win. Hillary Clinton is the ultimate believer in this gospel of winning. Her defining statement of her candidacy was that she was "in it to win it." How embarassing to see our candidate be solely motivated to explain her campaign to her supporters that she is merely there to win. It is obvious statement demonstrated by the act of declaring. This stand alone statement shows the inherent lack of her worthiness to be president. Yet it is something the media did not criticize or lambast for it ridiculousness, because they perpetuate this game that is to be "won."
Our media apparently lacks the ability to think critically or deductively. It merely induces that by winning, something is true. If your idea or your wishes are not winners, be it the electoral box, in the marketplace or otherwise, then whatever fact you have said, or whatever proof you might present, whatever truth you might encounter, it is not real. Throughout American history, one sees examples where winning decides the truth.
But really, isn't that history? It is a series of interpretations by the winners of conflicts and competitions? America is only addicted to its sweet poison so long as it wins. It is one that many civilizations have sipped throughout our known human existence, and its bitter aftertaste always leaves tragic consequence.
Winning is the ideology of America and its inhabitants. Our chattering and political classes look to winning as the moral guidance of our country's decisions, it shows the probity of policy. And that sad fact is what drives this nation and this world into greater tragedy.
It is something a casual listener of the news will also hear from conservatives, pundits, and other media types. It is an idea that has little relation to the truth, or what is the right path in foreign affairs, yet it fuels America's current decision-making process.
Let's flash back four years ago, to the buildup to the invasion of Iraq. Half the case for attacking was that America would triumphantly prevail. It was the underlying fact that allowed Americans the convenience of ignoring the merits and ignoble justifications for war. The early boasts of our leaders were widely accepted as true and now our political elites hide their embarassment by demanding they be allowed to increase our committment in this war that is not ours to win. It really was not ours to win, it is history, it is culture, it is animosity bore out of our support for brutality of one man during one period of time, and then our change of heart.
This tragedy that is Iraq is America's fault, but tragedy is never described by its winners and losers, but solely by the depth of its horror and sorrow. In our national debate its only mention today is that it will be worse if we do not WIN. It appears now, that in the media, to our political elites, and to our president and his ilk, that our only moral failure in Iraq is that it is not a definitive victory. The howling criticism from so many political elites, cried that we were sold a fake victory. So now our president, pleads to allow him another chance to win it all. A win will undo all the evil we have seen.
It is this mantra, "We must win." or rather "We will win." It enables our failure, furthers our country's descent into tyranny, continues the incoherence of thought among our highest decision-makers. We simply must not lose, even if there is nothing here to win or lose. In American politics we are obsessed with the word and it destroys the fabric of our republic. A win in Iraq will not end any conflict. At best a win will slow the conflict, pacify the tensions for period of time so that America can have its "win". But it will never soothe the hatred, undo the devastation, or heal the wounds wrought by our invasion.
But this thinking is easily perpetuated in our culture. In America winning is an ideology in itself. It cuts across party lines, religious belief. Americans are always bent on winning. We are trained from the beginning of our lives that winning is our proof of self-worth. Many Americans proclaim moderation in political thought because it is a winner. It is thought worthy and virtuous to be in the middle because it wins and because to far to one side or another loses. But the only thing that is worthy is the truth. And the truth is that moderation of politics has no inherent worth when both sides are wrong. It is in America today a virtue to be in the middle of what is wrong.
The leadership of the Democratic Party is so high off winning that it merely bases the merit of its candidates on their ability to win. Hillary Clinton is the ultimate believer in this gospel of winning. Her defining statement of her candidacy was that she was "in it to win it." How embarassing to see our candidate be solely motivated to explain her campaign to her supporters that she is merely there to win. It is obvious statement demonstrated by the act of declaring. This stand alone statement shows the inherent lack of her worthiness to be president. Yet it is something the media did not criticize or lambast for it ridiculousness, because they perpetuate this game that is to be "won."
Our media apparently lacks the ability to think critically or deductively. It merely induces that by winning, something is true. If your idea or your wishes are not winners, be it the electoral box, in the marketplace or otherwise, then whatever fact you have said, or whatever proof you might present, whatever truth you might encounter, it is not real. Throughout American history, one sees examples where winning decides the truth.
But really, isn't that history? It is a series of interpretations by the winners of conflicts and competitions? America is only addicted to its sweet poison so long as it wins. It is one that many civilizations have sipped throughout our known human existence, and its bitter aftertaste always leaves tragic consequence.
Winning is the ideology of America and its inhabitants. Our chattering and political classes look to winning as the moral guidance of our country's decisions, it shows the probity of policy. And that sad fact is what drives this nation and this world into greater tragedy.
posted by Amos at 2:18 PM
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