Ray, can we repay ourselves for days that we've lost through indecision

[raybear]

You wouldn't think it by my journal lately, but I'm fairly obsessed with the news right now and fcked up governments and the war and Geneva Convention and all that wonderful stuff. It's just after reading and thinking about it, when I get to my journal, I write about some tiny other detail of my life, focusing on the microcosm because the macrocosm hurts my heart and brain.

Also, for the most part I'm lacking any in-person intelligent interactions with people on the issue, just lots of shock and awe and pity reactions. I want more anger and problem-solving and deconstructing and theory. So I'll go back to reading analysis and comparing news sources.

Comments

[cocolola.livejournal.com]

Well, you know, the theory on torture, representation, and circulation of violent imagery is right up my cheerful alley! I love to talk about that stufff, if you're still hoping to talk about that in about a week. I'm sure you're doing this already, but it is a great time to contact your legistlators, because of the hearings. For me, I feel not-so-particularly angry because I am just thrilled that the issue is on the table. It is such a common thing for the United States to go to war without declaring war and to engage in all kinds of activities that involve torture and illegal activity. I mean, of course, it always makes me furious but the truth is I walk around in a constant state of fury and disgust over U.S. policies. What amazes me is that this hasn't reinvigorated protesting the war, because strategically it is a good time to get press, attention, and to send another message to both our government and the international communities that the U.S. perspective on this is not monolithic. But, easy for me to say. I'm not doing it either, what with all my oh-so-valuable intellectual labour that will reveal to the world : torture is bad and common. Surprise!

[raybear.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know what you mean about the whole "not being angry because it's finally out in the open", which is why I get angry when I see it referred to as simply a 'scandal' instead of 'systemic'.

And I can gladly wait a week to discuss torture with you in more detail!