Enemies of Convenience?

Our current global state of affairs is in such turmoil that one as to wonder if there is truly rhyme or reason to all the “talk” about “enemies of the state”.

Having just finished reading a SF book titled “Prototype D” written by Jason D. Morrow, I was impressed by the storyline, especially the content from chapter 25 and on.  So much so that I felt I had to make a comparison to our current global state of affairs.

So let’s begin.  But first, let’s imagine the following scenario.

Imagine a world where you are in a country whose leadership is constantly reminding you that you must be careful of outsiders because they are most likely terrorists looking to destroy your way of life.  Very bad people, savages even, who will kill you to take what you have earned through so much blood, sweat and tears, through sacrifice after sacrifice, to salvage from the ever dwindling resources and opportunities available to you and yours.

Imagine a leadership constantly saying that it is because of these savages that you and your fellow countrymen are suffering through all the current shortages, whether food, dilapidating housing, electricity, transportation, etc., even stating that you should be grateful to them for providing the resources you do enjoy.  And eventually saying that they have a plan to finally get rid of this nuisance so that your life can return to normal.

And how do they convince you that you should trust them, that they are your best bet at eliminating these savages, and your best choice at returning to making your country great again ?  Why, they have charisma… so hard to question when media is supporting them.  Or maybe they are smooth talkers, saying words that push the right buttons.  Whatever the “tools” they use, they have the money and connections to create a caring face.

And then one day you turn on the tv and see proof that it is a plan of a different colour.  That in reality it is a self-serving plan, a nefarious plan to subjugate you and all your countrymen… using enemies of convenience.

What would you do?

Are we in the global mess that we are in because of “outsider“ enemies, or is there another side to the story?  Are we in a global mess because we care only for ourselves, or because we have been lead to believe that there is nothing we can do to make our lives great again?

You be the judge.

If you are like most people, you will probably think this can not happen in your country.

But I am sure that there are some who will say: Enough!

Is it enough for you?

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The following are excerpts from Jason’s Prototype D science fiction story that will be food for thought.  That such a “ridiculous” idea, such a scenario, could not be true, right?

Excerpts from chapter 25:  (JS comments)

·   Let’s just say, people need somebody to hate.

·   …they are just people. Savages. But just people. They drew the short stick. We didn’t. We live on resourceful land. We have the power and technology to leave and gather fuel supplies (from anywhere on earth). We let them cherry pick off of us every so often so they don’t completely die off, and then when things get dire, they attack.

·   People need someone to hate. They need an enemy. If there is no one to fight, then what’s the point? The people can feel good and justified that there is a monster out there that caused this whole mess that we call life now.

·   Things change, … The (outsiders) can’t be the enemy forever. While we can, we have to make them seem bigger and more threatening; the (citizens) would then follow blindly once we finally destroy the group that has so long been against us.

·   It’s about creating a legacy… Sure, the (citizens) need an enemy, and we have one. But what happens when we defeat that enemy?

·   We gain the public’s unwavering adoration. The leadership can become gods among them. They will worship us for defeating the savages. So, we get the (outsiders) to a point where they bring everything they have against us. We get them to come at us and hurt us. They get desperate enough to embrace that savage image that we’ve painted of them. We get the (citizens) to fear and hate them so much that they would do anything to be rid of the (outsiders).

·   You’re talking about a police state with citizens that already worship you? The police state is for the future security of our government. They won’t love us forever. They will naturally need someone else to hate, and if there is no one else, then they will turn on us.