Building an impossible future (EN)

Israel is currently locked in a losing battle with the rest of the world to assert an impossible vision.

The vision to which the current Israeli government committed itself is that Israel has an absolute and unquestionable right to do anything it deems necessary to secure itself - whatever the costs and implications, whatever the suffering and death that it inflicts on others. By refusing to accept limits and constraints to its actions, which are the very essence of civilization, it effectively behaves as a barbarian entity.

The battle to impose this vision is one that Israel cannot possibly win, and - as so many of its honest friends realize - one that will certainly turn it into a pariah state and may potentially lead to its destruction.

The latest blunder at sea is only the latest episode in a long series of - by now - familiar occurrences.

Patriotic Resisance (EN)

Patriotic "Resisance" is what happens when the New Barbarians get their troops out to demonstrate.
There is a lot more where this came from.
And remember this?


The epic struggle that is taking place in America is not just one of civilization against barbarity. It is also one of reason vs irrational fear and proud ignorance.

Tough Call (EN)

I wonder whether this guy will be seen by the Tea Party movement (or by the New Barbarians) as a hero, or as a terrorist.

Where America's Founding Principles Came to Die (EN)

Three months ago I wrote:

The real, mortal danger comes when a civilization's core values are compromised from the inside. When the very things that distinguish it from its enemies are trampled by those who claim to be their defendants. When those who make the decisions at the centre give away moral superiority for the sake of some temporary tactical advantage. When in the fog of war one forgets what he or she ultimately stands for and morphs into something else.
In absolute, atemporal logic, this is the biggest threat for a civilization: to lose or compromise its core principles. From there on, it's only a matter of time before it succumbs to historical erosion.

What emerges from Guantanamo seems to confirm the worst fears.
Read Andrew Sullivan's text after the jump. And his other today's pieces that are linked from there. Read carefully. And reflect.

Sadly, the mindset that made it possible seems to be back, and its champions ride the wave again. We'll talk about that soon.
I would just say now that America increasingly hysterically has begun to hate the hope that it voted for little more than a year ago.
I ultimately don't much care about Obama, he's just a guy. And yes, he maybe screwed up a thing or two. But this is not about him, it's about us.
God save us.

The Meaning of Abu Ghraib (EN)

My statement that the New Barbarians pose a bigger threat to the Western civilization than Al Qaeda (and also than islamic fundamentalism, nuclear proliferation, rogue states or any other external enemy) has raised some eyebrows. I will try to explain.

The point is not whether more Americans (or West-Europeans) and foreign civilians have perished or are at risk because of Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld policies (or those of their allies in Europe) than due to, say, terrorist attacks over the same period. While the case could be made, the point isn't about the body count. Rather, it's about the nature of the threat.

The New Barbarians (III) (EN)

If you wanted to see Sarah Palin at the White House and if you are a fan of Joe the Plumber, you are likely to love Glenn Beck's show on Fox:

The New Barbarians (II) (EN)

So why is Obama getting the Nobel Peace Prize?
Most people I talked to are perplexed. Surely he hasn't done anything truly great so far, except maybe being the first non-white to win US presidential elections... but this is hardly a reason for being awarded the Nobel.

I have a different explanation, which starts eight years ago.

The New Barbarians (I) (EN)

The Western civilization is under attack, and in serious danger. And the most serious danger comes not from Al Qaeda-type terrorism, fundamentalist Islam, rogue states, nuclear proliferation or any other external factor. Rather, it comes from within, from people who profess to be its defenders. And who, in the name of defending the West's fundamental values violate them on a routine basis. People who think they can abolish the rules when it suits them, and reinstate them at will. Who think double standards are OK - e.g. you can unlawfully spy on your citizens or torture suspects and be a liberal democracy at the same time. Who think you can eat a cake and have it.

I call them the New Barbarians.