Paul Bushyan, American Hero

Welcome Comrades,

The history of our great nation is littered with hyperbole, fabrication and self-justification in books written by the victors. What's different about that then any other nation, you ask? Not a damn thing, but I live here. I can't help feeling frustrated at the blatent American disregard of facts flying in the face of desire. Any evidence contrary to ambitious outcome is ignored more often than not. Putting on these uniquely American blinders allowed us to invent the light bulb and the telephone, but there are times when a clear field of vision is important... like, at the brink of war, perhaps.

How did we get this way? Where does our feeling of entitlement come from? These attitudes are deeply rooted in our national psyche. In 1925, America was still feeling tough from winning World War I and mass-producing the automobile. That year,James Stevens wrote "Paul Bunyan," and used these words to describe an American folk-hero...

'Paul Bunyan felt amazed beyond words that the simple fact of entering Real America and becoming a Real American could make him feel so exalted, so pure, so noble, so good. And an indomitable conquering spirit had come to him also. He now felt that he could whip his weight in wildcats, that he could pull the clouds out of the sky, or chew up stones, or tell the whole world anything.

"Since becoming a Real American," roared Paul Bunyan, "I can look any man straight in the eye and tell him to go to hell! If I could meet a man of my own size, I'd prove this instantly. We may find such a man and celebrate our naturalization in a Real American manner. We shall see. Yay, Babe!"'

Does that attitude sound familiar? Other than the narration from, "Triumph of the Will?" (you know, Aryan Superman propaganda 10 years later...) I think it frighteningly describes our leaders, today, reflecting an attitude a century out of date.

"C'mon, Babe, let's show 'em
how Real Americans kick ass!"

It is interesting to note that Paul Bunyan and Babe are immigrants, don't you think? Damn Canadians...

Hasta la victoria siempre,

TVD

--- 2/15/03

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