Political Discourse in the United States

One might think that it should no longer be possible for the bizarre proclamations of U.S. politicians to astonish this writer. He has studied and written about them for years, and there is, it seems, nothing new under the sun, when it comes to such statements. Yet thisis nto the case; some statement leave him in a condition of awestruck wonder, amazed that people who have the repsect and votes of miillions of citizens can tell such blatant lies, or issues such ludicrous opinions and statments.

Let's look at just a few , some current, and some a bit older, but stillpertinent.

It was reported in The New York Tims on September 30 that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry made this remarkable statement: "The problem is the Russians don't care about international law, and we do"

Now, this is the man who, as a senator, voted to aurhtoize the invasion of Iraq, in violation of international law. He has consistently supported, and voted to fund, increased Israeli settlement-building in the West Bank, another violation of international law. Currently in the context in which he made this amazing statement, he oversees the funding of terrorist groups attemtp\pting to overthrow the legitimate government of Syria; more violations of international law. But demonizing Russia is a tried and true methof of furthering the 'us' (freedom=seeking, democracy-building) vs. 'them' (dirty, godless Communists) mentality, that has long been popular in the U.S., much like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. Popular, appealing, and total myths.