I always find it telling how authors have to walk on eggshells to even suggest something against the popular narrative, even when it’s become so obvious that anyone who bothers to look into it can see the reality. The way this article starts with setting the scene as sort of relaxed, and how the title reads like “We’re obviously super great and everything, but is it possible that maybe just this once we’re wrong?”
It’s the same with the Ukraine conflict. It wasn’t until the catastrophic failure of a counterattack that people even began suggesting that it might have been a disaster, or that Ukraine is flawed - at least in more public media - and even then, the earlier stuff starts off so… “Well obviously the Ukrainians are in the right and totally could win, but maybe this was a bad idea”.
I don’t know, I just find it pretty telling in our freedom-loving society, which values Free Press and Free Speech, that every mainstream journalist acts like they’ll get executed if they report something that displeases their masters. I mean, getting fired and blacklisted from a major media outlet would probably serve the same purpose anyway, so…
It’s even wilder when you consider that the gap between the “left” and “right” in the US is closing despite partisanship being fiercer than ever. Both sides are virtually identical at this point, probably more so than any other point in history. Democrats may spout lip service to progressive causes, but don’t lift a finger and consistently aid Republican causes. Both parties constantly claim election tampering and the democracy being corrupt, they just disagree on who’s responsible. Both support war and corporate power. I’m sure historically the “progressive” party has always been a weak, lying power, but now it feels so bald-faced that I’m amazed anyone can still delude themselves.
The question is, is the US finally going to cross the line and just admit to what they are in some fascist coup, or will the “progressives” accomplish some meager win for human rights at the end and draw millions back into the illusion? I can’t tell if it’s always been like this and I’m just seeing it for the first time, or if it really is becoming more and more obvious, more unwieldy, closer to collapse.