[Col. Writ. 7/8/05] Copyright '05 Mumia Abu-Jamal
The bombing of London's underground, which left almost a hundred
people dead and over 700 wounded, has, in a lesser degree, shown that
America's 9-11 was not an end, but a beginning.
Although there is no certainty of the perpetrators, early news
reports suggest Islamicists may be involved.
For the British, perhaps the numbers 7-7 will acquire a similar
resonance as did 9-11 for Americans.
We wonder if other social and political responses will mirror the
American experience.
Will the British, inflamed, hurt and embarrassed at the day's
events, announce a bold, new initiative featuring contempt for
international treaties?
Will they rattle their shimmering sabers in the air, and growl,
"You're either with us, or against us?"
Will they announce a war against Morocco, or Egypt? (Not because
these countries played any real role in the bombings, but merely to
'send a message?').
It is doubtful, doubtful in the extreme, that Britain will do any of
the things that America did willy-nilly.
That's because the U.S. is an empire; Britain is post-empire.
America does virtually whatever it wants; Britain must consult with
its international and continental allies.
Also, Britain, given its long imperial and colonial history, has
long memories. It knew a time when 'the sun never set' on its vast
global holdings.
The U.S. is in the midst of its imperial stage, and cannot conceive
of a time when it will not span the globe in dominance and power.
Yet, several short generations ago, neither could Britain.
No empire sees the rock on which it crumbles and falls.
There is another reason why Britain may not imitate their Yankee
cousins in rushing to a demonstration war in the Mid-East.
That reason? Iraq.
The Iraq invasion, war, and occupation has not gone well.
The British would be stupid to rush into a briar patch such as this.
Moreover, British public opinion has been bitterly opposed to the
Iraq war and occupation, costing serious parliamentary losses by the
ruling Labor Party.
And there is yet another reason.
The British press, which has been relentless in its coverage of the
lies that led to war and occupation.
While America boasts of its First Amendment, and freedom of the
press, the nation's news media is as 'free' as those who own it allow it
to be (that is to say, not very).
Indeed, I'd wager that more Americans are reading British
international news accounts than before the war, especially given the
culture of subservience that now rules the newsroom.
American reporters want to prove their patriotism.
British reporters want to prove their professionalism.
There will undoubtedly be repercussions from the bombings of July
7th in London. There will probably be changes in immigration, more
intense investigations, and other actions designed to insure such events
to not reoccur. There will probably not be the temper tantrums that
occurred in the U.S. That's because England is a mature country, not
one drunk on the wine of its youth. It is a junior partner of the
newest imperial power; not the leader.
These things may come to pass; we don't know, but we suspect these
things will happen.
As ever, time is the best teller of things to come.
The Americans, the people of instant coffee, instant liquid
breakfasts, instant dinners, and instant wars, leapt into a war
ostensibly to 'stop terrorism', and, instead attracted combatants to a
new front of its own creation, that is waxing stronger each day.
I may be wrong, but I don't think Britain will make the same mistakes.
Copyright 2005 Mumia Abu-Jamal
Technorati Tags: Politics Terrorism Mumia Abu-Jamal
The bombing of London's underground, which left almost a hundred
people dead and over 700 wounded, has, in a lesser degree, shown that
America's 9-11 was not an end, but a beginning.
Although there is no certainty of the perpetrators, early news
reports suggest Islamicists may be involved.
For the British, perhaps the numbers 7-7 will acquire a similar
resonance as did 9-11 for Americans.
We wonder if other social and political responses will mirror the
American experience.
Will the British, inflamed, hurt and embarrassed at the day's
events, announce a bold, new initiative featuring contempt for
international treaties?
Will they rattle their shimmering sabers in the air, and growl,
"You're either with us, or against us?"
Will they announce a war against Morocco, or Egypt? (Not because
these countries played any real role in the bombings, but merely to
'send a message?').
It is doubtful, doubtful in the extreme, that Britain will do any of
the things that America did willy-nilly.
That's because the U.S. is an empire; Britain is post-empire.
America does virtually whatever it wants; Britain must consult with
its international and continental allies.
Also, Britain, given its long imperial and colonial history, has
long memories. It knew a time when 'the sun never set' on its vast
global holdings.
The U.S. is in the midst of its imperial stage, and cannot conceive
of a time when it will not span the globe in dominance and power.
Yet, several short generations ago, neither could Britain.
No empire sees the rock on which it crumbles and falls.
There is another reason why Britain may not imitate their Yankee
cousins in rushing to a demonstration war in the Mid-East.
That reason? Iraq.
The Iraq invasion, war, and occupation has not gone well.
The British would be stupid to rush into a briar patch such as this.
Moreover, British public opinion has been bitterly opposed to the
Iraq war and occupation, costing serious parliamentary losses by the
ruling Labor Party.
And there is yet another reason.
The British press, which has been relentless in its coverage of the
lies that led to war and occupation.
While America boasts of its First Amendment, and freedom of the
press, the nation's news media is as 'free' as those who own it allow it
to be (that is to say, not very).
Indeed, I'd wager that more Americans are reading British
international news accounts than before the war, especially given the
culture of subservience that now rules the newsroom.
American reporters want to prove their patriotism.
British reporters want to prove their professionalism.
There will undoubtedly be repercussions from the bombings of July
7th in London. There will probably be changes in immigration, more
intense investigations, and other actions designed to insure such events
to not reoccur. There will probably not be the temper tantrums that
occurred in the U.S. That's because England is a mature country, not
one drunk on the wine of its youth. It is a junior partner of the
newest imperial power; not the leader.
These things may come to pass; we don't know, but we suspect these
things will happen.
As ever, time is the best teller of things to come.
The Americans, the people of instant coffee, instant liquid
breakfasts, instant dinners, and instant wars, leapt into a war
ostensibly to 'stop terrorism', and, instead attracted combatants to a
new front of its own creation, that is waxing stronger each day.
I may be wrong, but I don't think Britain will make the same mistakes.
Copyright 2005 Mumia Abu-Jamal
Technorati Tags: Politics Terrorism Mumia Abu-Jamal
0 Comments: