Art, Truth and Politics

[joysness]

I found this link on another site I go to and it so moved me I wanted to share it.

http://nobelprize.org/literature/laureates...-lecture-e.html

It took my breath away and got me thinking.

I enjoy the discussions here and respect all of you and your views and thought this might be worth exploring.

[andsome]

It's all a wee bit above my head, I try not to get too profound, just argumentative. ;)

[Thos]

Well there is plenty there to argue about. Pinter concludes that it is all a machiavellian American plot. My opinion is that the wrongs he talks about are the result of well-meaning people thinking they are doing good for their country and also because of that, themselves.

Thos.

[catgate]

I had heard of this speech a few days ago, but not had chance to hear/see it. Thanks for posting it joysness. There is an awful lot of perception and truth in there. Some of it is a bit abstruse, but a lot of it makes perfect sense to me. I suppose he can wave goodbye to a "Sirship" now!

[edbanger]

the result of well-meaning people thinking they are doing good for their country and also because of that, themselves.

Try telling that to the families of the countless thousands of victims wordwide, who have suffered in the name of the USA's search for their brand of freedom and democracy.

This quote from Pinter's speech sums up how the US administration feels about the rest of the world.

The United States no longer bothers about low intensity conflict. It no longer sees any point in being reticent or even devious. It puts its cards on the table without fear or favour. It quite simply doesn't give a damn about the United Nations, international law or critical dissent, which it regards as impotent and irrelevant. It also has its own bleating little lamb tagging behind it on a lead, the pathetic and supine Great Britain.

[joysness]

I have to agree with catgate and edbanger.

I've lived in the US for 28 years now and have watched it go from semi- arrogant to downright "We are the best and we are the only ones who know what is best for everyone". And this is not just the government but in a lot of the population as well.

I moved here for my own reasons and have enjoyed living here but retained my Canadian citizenship because I always felt there may come a day when I would no longer be able to live in a country so bent on bending the world to it's way of thinking and doing.

This lecture really brought home to me why I feel the way I do and has given me some things to seriously think about.

The problem for me is, I see no solution. Those with the power do whatever they want and those who want change feel powerless to do anything so apathy reigns. :(

[catgate]

"The problem for me is, I see no solution. Those with the power do whatever they want and those who want change feel powerless to do anything so apathy reigns."

The only hope for change, both in UK and USA is for "the people" to force change. Sadly this will not be possible until 1) the establishment's use of the old Roman method of keeping the citizens happy with lots of "bread and circuses" is rumbled and 2) someone with sufficient integrity and honesty organises a new system of government of the people, by the people for the people and 3) the populace throw off their hypnosis. Much of what goes for "news" is slanted towards giving the people things to "fear", and more reason to trust those in power, since they "are the only people capable of doing anything" about the cause of this fear.