I'm not disagreeing with you skywalker, but to me the "Lemming mentality" is slightly different than what you are saying. I'm not a biologist and I never played the game, but to me a Lemming is someone who blindly follows the crowd with no thought or worry of the future and/or consequences. I think the American public has been guilty of this for a very long time. It was around before Osama (IMHO). That belief is a result of my lack of faith in the critical/independent thinking of people in general (especially Americans). (Shoot me, I'm a pessimist and a cynic).
The other part of your post I agree with. I definately get the feeling that Bush has a "with us or against us" attitude. That doesn't make him (or the coutries he's trying to convince) a Lemming. It makes him a Fascist. (Did I really just say that. Don't be too hard on me Majik [img]smile.gif[/img] )
As to Sontag. I had heard of her, but never read anything of hers except the article posted earlier. Unsensitive? Yes. Hates her country? Not from what I read in the article. Maybe in her other work. I don't know.
I don't think I hate the U.S., but I do disagree with a lot of things the government does (Rep, Dem, State and Federal). I think capitalism, in its various forms, is the most effiecient type of economy, but I'm not convinced that it is the "best" for human beings or the planet. [cf. Enron, WorldCom, pollution]. Maybe Sontag does hate the country, but I don't think any of us can say for sure. For all we know, she may be pulling an Andy Kaufman on us and writing these articles to get us (or at least Majik) riled up. I think you can be extremely critical of our countries policies and campaign for non-capitalist economies and still love the country. The country is something different than our government or our economy (although it may be partially made up of parts of those things, if that makes any sense.)
The "abuse" issue:
I don't think Majik was being abusive. Vociferous and opinionated sure, but not abusive. He walks a fine line with,
Quote:
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"She sounds like a rather spite filled officious and pompous person who hates her country and everything it stands for. But thats just my opinion of her..
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but I think the second sentence there makes it ok. He's just stating his (obviously wrong
) opinion. [side note to Majik: Just because she isn't here to hear what we are saying doesn't mean we can't be abusive. It just means her feelings won't get hurt.]