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Nov. 2, 2004 As the hours draw nearer to what is proving to once again be a very close presidential race in the United States, the political rhetoric on both sides of the campaign trail is intensifying at an alarming rate. The Bush campaign continues to focus exclusively on the president's achievements in foreign policy in order to avoid having to explain the current administration's dismal failures on domestic issues, most notably the decline in America's economic situation. The other day as I edited the final chapters of my second novel, I found myself half-heartedly listening to a CBC documentary on the Bush administration. There was nothing truly novel about the program; it primarily examined the complex propaganda machine that the Bush administration has been wielding since 9/11. Most intelligent twelve year-olds are aware of this pervasive manipulation. However, as I once again listened to excerpts from many of the carefully crafted speeches on the "global war against terror" that Bush has regurgitated during the past three years, I couldn't help but feel ill. And the program did put forth one very interesting point about the intensity and scope of the Bush administration's propaganda machine. They proposed that the world has experienced nothing like it since the carefully constructed propaganda of the Nazi regime. And as inflammatory as such comments must initially seem, one cannot help but recall a quote from Mein Kampf in which Hitler states that: "The efficiency of a truly national leader consists mainly of preventing the people's attention from becoming divided, and of always concentrating on a single enemy." Seem familiar at all? Bush and his minions claim to be waging a "noble" war with the singular purpose of eradicating terrorism as a phenomenon. And since Osama Bin Laden made his entrance into the election fray a few days ago with his videotaped, personalized message to all Americans, both Kerry and Bush have reiterated their determination to "hunt down" all terrorists and the organizations that support them. Bush has consistently declared this aim as a universal mission to "defeat terrorism wherever it may exist," and that it is, "not directed against those that practice Islam." Interesting. From what I've personally experienced and seen since the events of 9/11, I'd say that Bush's "war on terror" certainly seems to target "terrorists" and people of specific races, cultures and religions. For instance, as many Torontonians know, flying in and out of Washington, D.C. is a daunting task these days. Ever since the events of 9/11, passengers leaving Pearson Airport on flights bound for the American capital are treated to separate lines at U.S. customs and and all security checkpoints. The entire process can be a nerve-racking, nail-biting experience. Cracking a smile whilst being questioned by a customs official is akin to playing Russian roulette. This is particularly pertinent if, like me, you're traveling with a flawed passport. From December 2001 until August 2004, I traveled with a passport in which my name was printed as Mary Payne Payne. This is obviously not my legal name. The mistake came about due to extreme fatigue and an undiagnosed case of hypothyroidism when I last renewed my passport. Yet I was able to travel without question on that passport to many destinations renowned for their tight security measures, including: Havana, Washington, D.C., and London, UK (the latter a total of five times). I even flew into Washington on that passport in December of 2001 when America was on a state of heightened alert. It wasn't until I went for a police check in Toronto that the error was pointed out to me. I'm sure you're wondering how this could have possibly happened. After all, the US and UK are fighting a global war on terror, right? Well, I have to chalk up my good fortune to the fact that I am a picture perfect portrait of your typical White Anglo-Saxon Person. In fact, I could pass for Drew Barrymore's older sister. And let me tell you, it's pretty obvious that no one is even remotely thinking that someone like me could be a terrorist. A smile and a bit of a flirt with male customs officials and I'm through the line in a flash. But I'm not the only one finding the global war on terrorism slightly one-sided. Just ask Cat Stevens. Part of the reason for my last visit to Washington was to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with my aunt and her young children. Having been raised in an Irish Catholic household, I've acquired more than a few odd traditions. One of these involves throwing the clothing out of children's drawers and wardrobes on the eve of St. Patrick's Day and hiding "gold coins" (foil- wrapped chocolates) in their shoes with the claim that leprechauns were responsible. Well, I was not the only Irish Catholic celebrating St. Paddy's Day in Washington this year. As I walked off my flight the next day in Toronto, I spotted a familiar face disembarking directly in front of me. Gerry Adams. There was no mistaking it. Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA, was also getting off the plane and walking along the corridor directly ahead of me. Having lived and spent a great deal of time in England, I can say with great confidence that many Brits unequivocally consider Adams to be a terrorist. They point out the fact that he is a former IRA commander and that it is strongly alleged that both he and Martin McGuiness still sit on the Provisional IRA's Army Council. If Bush is being truly honest about his desire to eradicate terrorism regardless of culture, creed or race, then why is someone like Adams walking off an outgoing Washington flight clutching National Geographic store and Smithsonian shopping bags? As one BBC journalist so aptly put it, if Britain were to adopt a similiar foreign policy to that of the United States, it would ultimately mean bombing Dublin and then turning their "attention to those states which had supported and funded the IRA terrorists through all these years. The main provider of the funds was, of course, the USA." The contradictory nature of Bush's war on terror is evident. It's okay to be a white, Christian supporter of organizations such as the Friends of Sinn Fein that regularly raise substantial funds in cities such as Boston, Chicago and New York. However, it's not okay to fundraise if you are a prominent member of your local mosque. At the end of the day, it's okay to be Gerry Adams, but you're out of luck if you're Cat Stevens. I hope as Americans go to the polls tomorrow they will reflect on what their country needs the most. Tolerance. Justice. Open-mindedness. It is also my hope if Kerry wins tomorrow that he will create a more tolerant, just government. If not, the American people need to step forward and work together toward the creation of a more equitable society that is driven by common sense and compassion rather than fear. ------------ About the author: Jennifer Payne lives and works in Toronto, Canada. She is the author of numerous short stories, poetry, articles and reviews. Currently she is finishing her second novel. Please visit her website at: www.maryjenniferpayne.com Email: mj_payne00@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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