Barbarians At The Gate

You know what's funny? I've been thinking about the same concept regarding Newspeak that Maybe I'll Catch Fire mentioned in his last post. I will receive emails written in Textspeak. I refuse to answer them. If you cannot write an email properly than I see no reason why I should struggle to understand your Textspeak. Is it really that difficult to write an email with proper sentences. I've received texts written in Textspeak. In some cases I'll send one back asking them to clarify what the hell they are saying. If i'm going to learn another language it will be Chinese or Spanish, not Textspeak. . I can only imagine the frustration I'll Catch Fire must have to see textspeak on student essays. I think it is time for his students to read 1984. Then have a nice class discussion on Newspeak and their thoughts. Then point out the similiarities between Newspeak and Textspeak.

The Patriot Act may not be the downfall of the American Empire. But I feel that September 11 started the downfall of our Empire. Rome was only safe because no one dared attack it. The city had an aura of invicibility. To attack the city would be suicide. You would not succeed. One day barbarians knocked at the gate. They sacked the once invincible city of Rome. It lost all it's aura and mystique. The Roman Empire became more militaristic and less democractic. If one group of barbarians could do it so could another.

We all know what eventually happened. I see parallels between September 11 and the first barbarians at the gate for Rome. For a long time we saw ourselves as invincible. No one would attack American soil. We are have an ocean separating us from any major powers. During World War I and II we were safe from major battles. After that we felt safe and secure knowing that ocean was huge. We could stop any attack before it hit us. We'd see any enemy approaching our gates before they could arrive.

Then came September 11. A group of guerilla fighters, our version of barbarians, attacked us. And not just anywhere but on our own soil. On two symbols of American power, the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Not long afterwards The Patriot Act was passed. We lost many little freedoms and no one cared. If it would protect us from other barbarians, please take away our rights. The best example of losing freedom is to look at airtravel. The restrictions are unbelievable. You can't just arrive 45 minutes before a flight. You need a minimum of two hours!

We developed a mentality of you're either with us or you are against us. If you don't support us then you support terrorism. Does anyone remember Freedom Fries? I was in Europe during that period. Let me tell you the Europeans had a good laugh over stupid concepts like that.

Were is this post going? I'm not sure. But then again most of my posts end like that. All I can say is this: beware. We are entering a historically significant era in world history. Where does the greatest Empire in history go from here? Do they continue their slow slide into mediocrity? Or do they bounce back with a militaristic vengeance?