kellyb
Penultimate Amazing
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2006
- Messages
- 12,632
I love how you think that your personal interpretation binds Mr. Kent in his statements.
It's cute, in a way.
Ha. You're reminding me of one of Orwell's old warning about "how not to be":
https://www.orwellfoundation.com/th.../essays-and-other-works/notes-on-nationalism/
"...there is a habit of mind which is now so widespread that it affects our thinking on nearly every subject, but which has not yet been given a name. As the nearest existing equivalent I have chosen the word ‘nationalism’, but it will be seen in a moment that I am not using it in quite the ordinary sense, if only because the emotion I am speaking about does not always attach itself to what is called a nation – that is, a single race or a geographical area. It can attach itself to a church or a class, or it may work in a merely negative sense, against something or other and without the need for any positive object of loyalty."
The nationalist does not go on the principle of simply ganging up with the strongest side. On the contrary, having picked his side, he persuades himself that it is the strongest, and is able to stick to his belief even when the facts are overwhelmingly against him. Nationalism is power hunger tempered by self-deception. Every nationalist is capable of the most flagrant dishonesty, but he is also – since he is conscious of serving something bigger than himself – unshakeably certain of being in the right.