Cheering the prospect of death

The ugly NATO war to destroy Libyan independence was launched as a “humanitarian act of assistance” for the people of Libya.

As it grinds on the farce is maintained that the 23,248 sorties conducted by NATO war planes between 31 March and 19 September are somehow protecting Libyan life, rather than pounding the hell out of it.

I say it is a farce because no-one complicit in this war of aggression really believes in humanitarianism.

The rabid right does not even extend humanitarianism to people of its own country.

Witness the following exchange between the US CNN’s Wolf Blitzer and Republican Representative Ron Paul during last Monday’s debate between Republican presidential candidates.

Blitzer asked what we should do if a 30-year-old man who chose not to purchase health insurance suddenly found himself in need of six months of intensive care.

Mr. Paul replied, “That’s what freedom is all about — taking your own risks.”

Mr. Blitzer pressed him again, asking whether “society should just let him die.”

And the crowd erupted with cheers and shouts of “Yeah!”

And this is the country that is behind giving “humanitarian assistance” to the Libyans???

All kinds of thinking are stamped with the brand of a class; the consciousness of people is determined by their conditions of existence or social being.

Those who enjoy great privilege and wealth, generally speaking, are devoid of humanitarian feelings and compassion.

Whether death comes from a Raytheon-built Paveway missile or from the poverty that precludes health care cover, that death is cheered if it helps maintain class privilege.