Almost from its first moments, the 21st century has been plagued by insecurity and doubt; the disputed election of 2000 has given rise to such a pervasive habit of political cry-babyist-conceit that a graceful concession speech has become the grown-up exception rather than the selfless rule. Tolerant America, which managed after the September 11th attacks of 2001 to make clear distinctions between peaceful Muslims and radical Islamists, has lately“perhaps because her leadership seems unwilling to use meaningful words to maintain those necessary distinctions“become confused about who to trust on that score.
A near-decade of weather-fetished movement hyperbole“which routinely went the apocalyptic route, even unto declaring the humble incandescent lightbulb to be a plague upon helpless humanity“collapsed under the weight of its own shoddy science, dubious plenary indulgences, and hypocrisy. Formerly credible and instructive prizes out of Oslo have become laughable spite-trophies awarded not on the basis of what one has accomplished, but simply for ones managing to not-be someone else.
