Beware the Murrikans

Hi.

Since last term, the idea of getting a blog up and running has crossed my mind quite a few times. Now that I have a little too much spare time on my hands, I figured I might as well give it a shot - and might as well make it semi-meaningful while I'm at it.

Basically, this blog will make discussion of various world events, often casting a critical eye on the way various media outlets use spin - both subtly and blatantly - to foster in the viewer/reader, often completely unjustified antagonistic feelings towards not only states thrust into centre stage as 'The Enemy', but entire civillian populations.

So, what's a 'Murrikan'? The term may give the impression of a strange, rare, exotic, Gallum-esque, swamp dwelling creature. But alas, the Murrikan is quite prevalent amongst us - for some such as myself, all too prevalent. It is impossible to recognize a Murrikan from his or her physical appearance - for all you know, you could be sitting in class, or at work right now, surrounded by Murrikans. No doubt, quite a frightening prospect, and a very real possibility.

But seriously now - quite simply, 'Murrikan' is a term used frequently by George Bush to refer to his fellow citizens. I'm not using the term though, as he does - that is, to apply to ALL Americans. Far from it. In fact, the Murrikan doesn't even have to be an American. It is also important to note that the Murrikan is not not a new phenomenon, confined to the post-9/11, or Bush administration years. The Murrikan is not bound by time, and has existed to varying degrees throughout the history of the American empire. The belief that 'Murrikanization' is a new development is a fallacy.

So, I use the term 'Murrikan' (I did not invent it) to apply to those of us, primarily in the Western world, who have fallen for it, who have been been taken by the misinformation, distortion of fact, and at times, outright deceit expounded not only by our leaders, but by those who (often) loyally serve them: the 'fourth branch', what we call the mass media. Murrikans are usually characterized not only by their trust in the objectivity and sincerity of the media, but more often, by their unwavering faith in free-market principles and their ability to 'export democracy' and the 'Western way of life' to the peoples of the four corners of the globe. Many Murrikans think fondly back to the Reagan era, the day of the 'great communicator', forgetting, of course, the many murderous regimes installed and supported under his watch (or rather his administration's watch, I doubt Reagan would have been capable of understanding much of anything worth watching). Tony Blair is the quintessential British Murrikan.

Anyways, because this blog will deal primarily with the views, myths, fantasies, double-standards, and re-writing of histories prevalent in Western circles, and perpetuated largely by Western media outlets, I thought such a title would be at least somewhat appropriate (or at the least moderately clever... mildly amusing?).

To conclude, we need less Murrikans.
So, enjoy, or don't enjoy!