Reply #54: In absense of an "answer" - or in times of great uncertainty [View All]

[salin]

I think it is human nature to try to grasp for something simple and concrete for a)explanation and b) security to move through the period.

This accounts for early mythology in various cultures that attempted to explain natural phenomenon.

I think that when the top gave a simple answer rather than pushing a harder to conceive of/undestand answer - many people felt 'more safe'. Pushing around the edges of that answer though would lead to more questions, so taking it whole - and the actions that followed it - and pushing OUT other more complex (and scary) explanations was a gutlevel human nature reaction.

With a different model of leadership at the top - the pattern would probably have been different. FDR brought people INTO the effort, sacrfice... don't fear but fear... we are in this together. Bush says... its all them... lets gitem (even if its a different 'em then those responsible as is the case in Iraq)... and hey... do your part and go shop!