#murray

Open Thread - Thurs 03 Aug 2023 - USA In Decline

USA In Decline

Recently I read an article on Consortium News by Michael Brenner, Professor Emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh. The article, 'The New 'New World'' (with this subheading: 'What happens when reality hits delusion? U.S. mythology and fantasy will remain resilient. Denial, doubling-down, scapegoating, recrimination and more audacious adventures are the instinctive responses') is very good, and made me really think.

I've been wrestling with posting this article, because of a couple reasons: 1. It's depressing and scary 2. It's way too damned long and repeats itself, but then, the writer's a professor, so, of course, it is and, of course, it does. 3. I agree with his points in the article, but I don't agree with them as well, at least as they pertain to me and those closest to me and, I think, as they pertain to most of the people on Caucus99% too. On the other hand, the writer, Brenner, is insightful and argues his points well. I wanna know what you think about the article, so here's the beginning of it:

Americans discount the past. They live in the present and imagine the future. Events are assimilated into a mythologized pageant of progress that leads to an ever fuller realization of a more perfect union — liberty and justice at home, goodwill and good works abroad.