2nd editorial 7 February 2006
We have gone as far as we can with defining the problem, with naming names and railing against injustice and unveiling corruption, brutality, and evil of all kinds. The question is: now what are we going to do about it?
All my life, when I have asked the question, “Yes, but WHY did they do that?” WHY did they bomb civilians, lie to their own people, exploit the poor, withhold medicine from the sick, torture the imprisoned, scorn the weak? WHY did they do that? All my life, people who should have known better have been giving me different versions of this answer: “Because they’re assholes.”
This is not an answer. This is an assertion of superiority. I will not put up with this, because this is about making the subject feel good at the expense of the object. And in the search for Truth, it’s that Truth that is all-important. Not that one person feels he or she is saved and the poor sucker on the other end (even when that poor sucker is a very rich bastard) is doomed.
Exterminating Angel Press is not interested in the “Because they’re assholes,” argument. Sure, there’s always going to be a certain amount of asshole naming in any search for Truth, and it’s for sure that nobody should get a free pass…not to mention that mutual tolerance is not an excuse for weakness. And, contrary to popular belief, real courtesy is strength, not letting people walk all over you.
But you can only go so far blaming others and whining that there is no answer. Cozy and comfy and fun in the pub as that position might seem.
There is an answer. Or, say there isn’t. What the hell do we have to lose by pretending there is?
So let’s start with the answer instead of the question, for a change. And the answer is: a society based on principles of equity and not of power. A fundamental belief in the importance of mutuality and its trumping of hierarchy. A functioning society that links autonomous communities, each made up of fully fledged and invested members, no matter what their class or economic status. And, the most basic of all, an environment that provides enough space, food, clean air and water for each and every member…because we all know (and if we don’t, all we have to do is look at the map to see the truth of it) that the more environmentally degraded a place, the more politically degraded, and that cared for resources are the most basic ingredient in a truly civil society. And, hey, you neocons, if you really want liberal democracy to spread, providing a decent environment worldwide is absolutely the best shot you have (forgive the pun) — not the smart bomb, not even the ballot box. A good environment and a little calm would go a long, long way.
That’s the answer. Now let’s start walking there.