By Cliff Montgomery – May 2nd, 2011
Imagine the following events…
For the last several years, a certain nation–any nation, in any part of the world–has become known for such activities as consistently spying on its own people, invading and occupying other countries under false pretenses, torture, secret prisons, and numerous arrests and detainments without charge.
That nation, sliding toward totalitarianism, claims it is at war. Its leaders cannot bring itself to declare a definable war against a clear enemy, so it claims a never-ending battle against a vague concept…like, ‘fear’.
However, now and again it does point to one group, headed by a certain person, as a primary target. It’s as close as this particular nation gets to defining an enemy in its vague, constant war.
After a long span–say, a decade–the nation creeping toward totalitarianism claims to find that certain person spoken about above.
The would-be ‘total state’ then sings an epic narrative of battle, of futile resistance by that certain person…and of complete victory by the ‘total state’. At least, that’s what the ‘total state’ tells the world.
This narrative reaches sublime heights, and at just the right time. The state’s top leader has largely been unwilling to tackle his nation’s fundamental problems: jobs losses, an out-of-control corporate elite, and his country’s continual loss of both power and prestige.
And suddenly this announcement of a bitter struggle, complete with bravery, death and victory. The world waits with baited breath for the great leader to make his official proclamation on this epic narrative. His cue is held almost until the narrative breaks…then he provides a grand entrance, and offers a short soliloquy to a gasping audience.
Along with that comes a display of flags, of banners, and pronouncements of justice done. And of course, after the great leader’s crisp soliloquy comes the chorus on television and radio to sing its praises and wrap up the events of this grand spectacle. Just like the best Greek drama.
Of course, the only source for this sweeping narrative is the ‘total state’ itself…you know, the one with the false wars, the authorities who torture, the secret prisons, and the numerous arrests and detainments without charge.
The only clear evidence to prove this recent spectacle is the body of the deceased enemy–and the ‘total state’ quickly and quietly disposed of it, before any independent party could provide a proper identification of the deceased.
Here’s our question: Would you immediately believe every word of this drama, from such a state? Or would you first ask tough questions about the unverified narrative?
