Stewart nailed it last night--we have lost our humanity as a nation.

[rudy23]

Over casualties in Iraq, Afghanistan, New Orleans & the gulf coast, New York and D.C., for Iowans, for prisoners, for the sick, for our miners, for our mothers, for just about everybody.

Even the "normal" people are saying awful things these days about Muslims, about Katrina survivors, and especially in regards to these wars. It really does seem like an epidemic.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Yes! Absolutely! Where has our compassion gone? Why do we have such

self-centered tunnel vision?

[dflprincess]

2. Another result of nearly 30 years of Reaganomics

"Greed is good. I'm the only person who matters. I got mine, too bad for you."

We have become a nation of 2 year olds.

[FiveGoodMen]

13. "We have become a nation of 2 year olds"

That seems to be the key. The adults are definitely not in charge. In fact, it's pretty hard to locate one.

[grassfed]

3. MICHAEL REAGAN SAYS PUT GRENADES UP BABIES RECTUMS, BLOW THEM UP

"& kill their mother too."
http://www.nolanchart.com/article4067.html

[Gato Moteado]

27. reagan says to stick a grenade up the baby's butt and then light it

i've never seen a grenade that you "light". what is he talking about?

another chickenhawk repuke that has no idea about anything military. he only knows that anyone he doesn't understand should be killed.

maybe someone should stick a grenade up michael reagan's ass...but instead of lighting it, they should pull out the pin. and then they should run like hell because when that douchebag fascist blows, there's gonna be a lot of shit flying through the air.

[DangerDave921]

4. charity

Look at the vast amounts of money contributed after Katrina and after the Asian tsunami. Why was so much money donated if we have lost our humanity? I think it's too easy to condemn people in broad strokes.

That being said, I think the current TV culture has coarsened us. We see so much crap on TV, so much trash and violence, that it begins to seem eerily normal.

[rudy23]

18. You are absolutely right.

It's a mixed bag. Places like this community, and other networks of caring people keep my hope alive, and keep me sane.

It does feel like a constant fight against the mainstream. I should say, "the mainstream has lost its humanity", but I can't count myself out of that number. As angry as I can get, I still suffer from inactivity and outrage fatigue. Just too much on the ol' plate sometimes. I bet that's the case for most.

[DangerDave921]

22. we focus on ourselves

I can't remember who said it, but someone said that because of our inate human nature, we care more when our child cuts his finger than we do when a whole planeload of strangers die in a crash. It's just natural to care about who is close to you, and who you love. It breaks my heart when my kids are sick and injured, but I can see monumental tragedy on TV and just casually change the channel.

[rudy23]

23. I learned after Katrina, that in most people, it's just a survival instinct.

If we got caught up in every human tragedy around us, we'd have no energy to fend for ourselves and our families. There has to be a cutoff somewhere.

Still, what I also got from Katrina, is that there is a point that goes beyond indifference, that goes into full-blown malice, that is now an epidemic in this country. Where "respected" broadcasters can go on the airwaves and call for genocide, call for assassinations, dance on graves, and pull for death among fellow Americans.

I'd be naive to say this hasn't always been a part of humanity, but some part of me can't help but notice how much worse it's seemed to have gotten over the past 8 years.

[DangerDave921]

24. What a coincidence

that it happened just about when Bush came into office. LOL

I hate to sound like some RW fundie, but I do believe that all the "reality" television and other similar shows that trade in mass hysteria and titilation have hurt us. And I'd include Youtube, Youporn, and other sites too. We can see literally EVERYTHING nowadays, so what once would have shocked us just seems normal.

[rudy23]

25. That definitely plays a part in it for sure, but nothing more so than these wars and Guantanamo.

When you can get the herd of RW'ers to rationalize torture and death as being things to laugh off, and compare to frat hazings, you've sapped their humanity.

[Poiuyt]

30. Torture being acceptable is what makes me think that we have lost our humanity

[Bluerthanblue]

26. since bush got in, it's become more than acceptable to be crass-

and arrogant- it has become expected.

The notion that 'we' are the only people who bleed and suffer. That we have to find someone to punish, for our pain- and give monetary 'compensation' to those who were hurt, or their relatives.

I was APPALLED by the reaction after 9/11. SO MANY of us volunteered, donated blood, looked for any way we could find to lend a hand in the effort to cope with the destruction. What did we get told to do??? Go shopping- spend money- buy a new vehicle that was "patriotic"- Fly a Flag- and salute it- And prepare for vengence- bush "just-us" on country we used as a pawn in the cold war. The Afghans who were victims of "the war on terra" were for the MOST part as innocent as those who died on 9/11.

I don't begrudge the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 the money they got, but I have to wonder what is really behind the whole pay-out circus... guilt?... How ABOUT the people who lost so much in Katrina, and Rita? and so many other disasters all over the place? The California fires- mudslides, tornadoes etc. Is losing someone to a natural disaster somehow less devastating?
Many of the pay-outs to 9/11 families from the govt- came on top of insurance payments. And while something far more precious than a home or possessions was taken from them, its survivors HAD shelter, they had support systems. Unlike the victims of "nature".

I guess I feel so frustrated by the way the nation seemed to view those from the Gulf Coast who suffered, and continue to suffer as WILLING victims. Critics said "they should have seen it coming" or "they CHOSE to stay- or live there"? I heard way too much of that- And the same for the wildfires- "it's just a bunch of rich Californians- 'cry me a river'.....

Our humanity took a HUGE hit on 9/11 when we were basically brain washed to believe OUR suffering was 'sacred'- more important, more tragic- more terrible. We'd been pretty insulated from that kind of thing.- But our own hands weren't entirely clean- many of us didn't realize just how much we DO meddle in the lives of other nations. Of the actions done 'covertly' by the powers behind the scenes in Washington.-

There WERE some families who spoke out amazingly with grace and wisdom asking America NOT to use violence in response - people who had a right to desire revenge'- but they were shouted down- silenced- marginalized, called "un-american".

Over the last 8 yrs. I've heard my kids respond to arrogant and selfish statements by "Americans" by saying "Geez no wonder everyone hates America- I do too, if that is what we are about"- I tell them- America isn't the media, or even the government, it's the little people- like the people on our road, state- region- and there are millions of 'little people' all over this country- and all over this planet, who are really more like us than we realize.

I HATE it that we are encouraged to build walls between each other rather than bridges. When people are hurt, in need, suffering and we can help- we shouldn't need to be asked or shamed into doing something. It feels GOOD to help- to be part of something that is not destructive- That in itself is its own reward.

I'm ranting- sorry.

I do think we want to be there for one another- We need leaders and public encouragement that reminds us that there is more which unites us, than that which divides us- and when we work together, we can really make a difference.

peace~

[bdamomma]

5. we have lost our souls too.

unless we find the courage in ourselves to say that is it and take action. We are letting them win and we are all being sheep now.

[Doctor_J]

6. Hate radio & hate TV

Put them on trial for treason, conspiracy to commit murder, sedition, slander, and quickly convict and imprison them. When the media is reformed, we can rescue the country.

[zeemike]

8. That could be difficult to do

But there is a better way to do it and achieve the same thing.
Shame and embarrass them into changing.
And do not turn away from them by not watching and listening to what they say. But make a list of there sponsors and send them a letterer telling them what you think and that you will not buy there goods and services as long as they support the hate.

[Doctor_J]

17. Heh. Shame them into changing?

They daily call for murder on the airwaves. The more hateful they are, the more they get on TV and radio. They have no shame left.

[JPettus]

31. Nope

You assume they feel shame.

They don't.

[BrklynLib at work]

7. True. I have seen and heard things said publicly that I would have never thought would be said.

The humanity and compassion that are supposed to be the bedrock of this nation have been buried under the hate and greed that has been fostered by the repukes.
Social Darwinism at its peak: "I've got mine. Screw you."
If they are lying in the street starving and sick, they must deserve it.
If they cannot afford health care, who cares. I am not going to pay for THEM!!!

[dorkulon]

9. I don't think Americans have ever had much humanity re: the deaths of foreigners.

When did we ever care much about the people we kill in foreign nations?

[Supersedeas]

10. but the Media claims to serve the 'public interest' -- or just advertisers?

[AndyTiedye]

16. The Media Serves the Corporations That OWN It

[patrice]

11. That's right, he DID say that. I was so totally taken with Lara Logan that I forgot hearing

John Stewart say that.

It is so completely true: just leave us alone; let us go on our merry little ways, pretending that our lives are good and meaningful, that our hobbies and various obsessions are important and useful, that we deserve everything that we have, that things are the way that they are supposed to be, we are the best ergo we should not change, getting all misty-eyed over Timthy Russert prooves that I am a good human being, I have a right to go see Sex in the City without being troubled by DEAD IRAQI CHILDREN . . . .

I'm sorry, maybe my country was like this all along and I was just lying to myself about being American, but I just don't feel anything in common with anyone who is not personally offended down deep to their heart and soul by what we've done to Iraq.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:
Oil Royalty = Pilate;
BushCo = Herod;
All of the INNOCENT Dead = Jesus.

and

You = ?

[melody]

12. The right wing has lost its humanity

If we all had, we'd have no Obama ... no Edwards ... no Olbermann and no Daily Show.

[rudy23]

19. Very true. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. It is the YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN CULTURE

that is what this is all about.

And this is the philosophy of Reaganims

It is I got mine, then it's your problem

[AndyTiedye]

15. Not So Much Lost as STOLEN!

We do not support the inhuman things that are being done in our name.
We have not been able to stop them because the elections have been stolen!

[TahitiNut]

20. We left the door open and sat on the couch watching TV and munching fast food ...

... while they walked right in and robbed us blind ... and we did NOTHING. We're a nation of cowards and criminals unless and until we leave our blood in the streets, nonviolently, and bring the Cheney/Bush criminals to justice.

Sitting and whining doesn't hack it. Saying "you first" doesn't hack it. Saying "they're to blame" doesn't hack it.

[AndyTiedye]

29. Allowing Them to Bloody Us in the Streets Won't Bring Bush/Cheney to Justice Either

Civil disobedience has always relied on being able to shame the media into reporting it.
Alas, that is no longer possible, as the current media barons have no shame.

[indepat]

21. If we have lost our humanity as a nation, then those who flaunt their love for Jesus while

supporting junior's war of aggression might pray that there is no just God in heaven to dish up just desserts upon a nation that has lost its humanity. :D

[KatyaR]

28. As is apparent by all the Tim Russert threads here today.

Seriously, I thought it was bad before, but this is fucking ridiculous.

And that's all I'll say 'cuz I think I'd be tombstoned if I said what I actually thought.

Peace.