With all that depth
and longevity of culture – all that wonderful architecture, soulful music,
sumptuous art, and probably the best female dancers on the planet – why do you
have leaders who present a derogatory image to the world? Why do they show us
abuses in Tibet, suppression
of dissent, and ethically dubious expansionism in the South
China Sea? And why do we still remember Tienanmen
Square?
And I want to talk about nationhood generally and its pre-eminence
in the value system of the human psyche. Why do American Republicans use the
phrase ‘America First’? Why don’t we draw lessons from the fact that ‘Britain
First’ gave rise to the largest empire ever known, an empire which is now
provoking debate in Britain over whether the term ‘genocide’ should be attached
to its dealings. And why is it so difficult to note that ‘Germany First’ spawned
the rise of Adolf Hitler? And why, when Angela Merkel says she won’t abandon
the refugees, do I see a YouTube video spring up with the title ‘Angela Merkel
Betrays the German People.’ Why do people in positions of power so rarely say ‘Humanity
First?’
But I can’t be bothered because it’s a contentious issue and
I’m tired and I’m not looking forward to the rest of this week.
Instead, have a picture of Penny le Pooch wearing my hat without
asking permission. That isn’t contentious, is it? It isn’t likely to provoke outrage
among patriots who will feel moved to accuse me of being a dangerously misguided traitor, even
when they have trouble spelling the word ‘traitor.’ OK, so here it is.
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