Americans have grown apathetic about the war.

[cali]

They've tuned it out. They're used to it. They're in denial. Whatever. The administration knows this and is taking greater license with every passing day. I hate to say it, but it's going to take a greater than Beirut moment to wake people up. And that might not do it. 1984 was never so true as it is now. The war is just endless background buzz for most people.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. No, not all americans.

[cali]

2. No, of course not

I'm talking about the critical mass.

[Dzimbowicz]

3. I'm not apathetic

I'm pissed about what is going on. On the other hand, I can see your point; if we had a media with some guts, then maybe the country could learn the truth about what is happening. What ever happened to reporters like John Laurence, Galloway, et al.?

I think the Pentagon and the cabal in Washington have effectively castrated the media.

Just my opinion.

[JI7]

4. Bush is still telling people all is going well

and the media does not challenge anything he says.

they challenge what both sides in cases like scott peterson , kobe bryant, michael jackson cases are saying. they scrutinize every little thing in those cases. but they don't do that with the bush administration and what they say about things like iraq.

[bryant69]

5. Some of this is due to different perspectives

If you support this action than a certain number of deaths might very well be seen as acceptable, depressing as that is. Plus of course people don't want to feel guilty about what they support--this is also why conservatives are mad at stories about the homeless.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[swifty1961]

6. yea,

We I think a society tend to rapidly move on to the next topic or debate very quickly.

Topics and Events have a very short life span, and once they are digested by the American people(generally) it's on to the next news story.

Unfortuately.

We need to do better, but I don't see it happening soon.

Part of the rapid life style and the media attention.

[Jessica]

7. This could have something to do with

the fact that I've boycotted cable news, but I agree with you. I feel like society is emotionally & irrationally displaced from what's going on over there - especially the recent attacks on Fallujah. Stories I've heard from there are heartbreaking - yet I don't hear anyone around me discussing it. I know I care about this - and the people in here do as well. But the general masses .. well, I just don't know anymore.

[ProfessorPlum]

8. They've GROWN apathetic?

I've never seen a country been led, lazy, stumbling, and apathetic, towards a war like this one. Everyone just accepts that we are now at permanent war. Oh well.

Exceptions made for the millions of patriots who marched against it.

[cali]

9. OK, Prof, you got me, but

I thought I sensed, a few months ago, a higher awareness and greater unease regarding the war. Then it went away. The country seems to have settled into acceptance or tuning out, or whatever it is.

[ProfessorPlum]

12. No, sorry, didn't mean to be harsh

I think you are right about a heightened sense of thinking about it a few months ago - probably due to people thinking we might have new leadership and policies. Now that we are going to get the same old, same old for four more years, what is there to think about?

[Hey Zeus]

10. so what is the difference between you and all other americans? (nt)

[cali]

16. Fair question. I actively opposed the war

went to D.C. to march twice, wrote letters to the editor and my congressional delegation, worked with a local group to raise money to send to NGOs after the onset of the war. I'm aware, or as aware as I can be, of the disasterous results of this war. I'm not saying it's enough, but I'm not sure what else I can do.

[Hey Zeus]

19. that is plenty...

i just wish more would at least be informed of whats going on.

[spanone]

11. Same as Nam. Took over FORTY THOUSAND DEAD

to wake America up.

[MadHound]

13. And this is suprising how?

After all, this is part of the plan that allows Bushco to keep on getting away with their warcrimes. The media barely mentions the war in Iraq, and only then in the most glowing of terms. Casualties are only mentioned irregularly and briefly, enemy casulaties aren't mentioned at all. Disturbing images aren't broadcast, unless the MSM is absolutely forced to, are is caught by suprise. The Iraq war is kept to a muted background noise, unless something like Abu-Graib or the Marine shooting absolutely force the MSM to wake up.

This is a deliberate ploy on the part of the administration and their MSM minions. They know that if they showed what truly is going on, the American people would start to wake up, ask questions, and then oppose them. They learned their lesson well from Vietnam.

And while we should all be good, well informed citizens, I find it hard to find fault with the majority of people in this country who aren't. After all, many, if not the majority of them are still operating off the premise that the MSM is still a legit source for information. And the vast majority of these folks work long, hard hours, many many don't have the time, or even the resources, to go out on the web and find out what is truly going on. Most have kids, work and other commitments that take up their time, and when they do have a free moment, they just want to sit down, switch on the TV, and relax.

[bluesoccermom]

18. apathy

One can only wonder what it will take to wake Americans up? I think everyone is watching to see what will happen with the Iraqi election, I think it could be a turning point and that it may be the wake up call if people are willing to listen. For me the war was one of the major issues of the campaign and every day I feel less safe than the previous.

[American Tragedy]

14. Sometimes apathy is a product of perceived helplessness

"What is beyond my help is beyond my care."

[Cocoa]

15. but support is soon going to collapse

what is it now, 50%? That's going to be mighty hard to sustain.

When the elections prove to be yet another false "turning point", and the war rages on or escalates, what then?

When our remaining allies start dropping out, what then?

[bluesoccermom]

22. allies

btw, why are American troops 90% of the casualties? I have to wonder if there would be more of an outcry if our"allies" were at that percentage.

[IrateCitizen]

17. The war has been "normalized" for us since the beginning...

I think that the following article by John Pilger applies quite well to what you're talking about here.

Iraq -- The Unthinkable Becomes Normal

[cali]

21. Thank you very much for that n/t

[chiburb]

20. Robert Blake trial anyone?

[gatorboy]

23. Only a draft will wake these pinheads up....

At the moment, to them, it's someone else's problem, but when the draft starts up again, it's (almost) everybody's problem that has an 18+ year old son. Bush supporters will break their backs to keep their kids out of the war they encouraged.