Tuesday, March 25th, 2008
Life inside the Wingnut Bubble
This story in The Times of London comes to us from ThinkProgress. For the first time ever, Jane’s Information Group — a world-renowned military affairs think tank — has commissioned a study on the stability of the world’s nations. The findings have just been released for public consumption.
Some comments on the findings:
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America’s position as the 22nd most stable country, while distressing, is not surprising — especially given the policies that the government has pursued over the last eight years.
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The real meat and potatoes of the study that one should take away from this article is that Afghanistan is far less stable than Iraq. Gee, I wonder why that could be?
Sadly, the wingnuts have built their own little bubble about the grim situation in Afghanistan. Their comments on The Times’ website about the story are particularly instructive:
Though this is a supposedly objective rating, criteria still reflect differing values that alter the scores.
The proliferation of small arms in the United States is deemed bad by many around the world (and in the US) and “cost” us some points, but it is deemed constitutional and normal by most in the US. It is simply part of our heritage and culture because we hold freedom so dear.
This culture, despite various shortcomings, has a history of defeating oppressive regimes, especially defending our allies.
Interestingly, the countries labeled as the most stable and prosperous still exist thanks to the US. We certainly can learn a great deal from each other and improve, but do not mess with our guns, lest there be no one left to save you again. Ja, Da?
By the way, it is sincerely very sad to see the growing trend of these fine European countries losing their own cultures, to the point of extinction one day. Please recognize and reverse this, as you do have so much to offer the world!
— Chris in Columbus, GA
Translation: This is the thanks we get for saving your @$$3z in WWII? Well, FUCK YOU, you biased fucks! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
Many countries have enjoyed stability and prosperity thanks to the Pax Americana. Not that many of the beneificiaries of her efforts would acknowledge it. They couldn’t bear the humiliation. You know you’re doing something right when so many envy, resent, and hate you. Cheerio and all that.
C. W. in Columbus, Ohio
Translation: Yeah, yeah, whatevah. You sick homos just hate us for our freedoms! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
I really don’t care what this ranking survey has to say. Every country has its good and bad points.
JMS in San Antonio, TX
Translation: LA-LA-LA-LA! I’M NOT LISTENING TO YOUR AMERICA-HATING GARBAGE! LA-LA-LA-LA-LA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
Boy, that really brings home Al Franken’s point about patriotism, doesn’t it?
[Conservatives] don’t get it. We love America just as much as they do. But in a different way. You see, they love America the way a four-year-old loves her mommy. Liberals love America like grown-ups. To a four-year-old, everything Mommy does is wonderful and anyone who criticizes Mommy is bad. Grown-up love means actually understanding what you love, taking the good with the bad, and helping your loved one grow. Love takes attention and work and is the best thing in the world.
That’s why we liberals want America to do the right thing. We know America is the hope of the world, and we love it and want it to do well. We also want it to do good.
— Al Franken, Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right, page 24 (hardcover edition)
