Between Blinders & Bible-Thumping, Fanciful Flights & Party Suicide, Where is America Heading?

Radio Flyer is a small 1992 film about two brothers, Mike and Bobby, who invent a flying machine out of a little red wagon so that Bobby can escape the brutal abuse he regularly suffers at the hands of his drunken stepfather.

The end of the film never baffled me. It seemed clear that Bobby's escape down the side of a mountain failed, and that in order to ease the pain of his brother's death, Mike invented an alternate reality that had Bobby sending him postcards from all over the world. As a grown man, Mike tells his children the story and says:

"Do you guys understand what I meant about history being in the mind of the teller?"
"I think so."
"Yeah."
"Good. Good, because that's the way I remember it."

I wasn't aware until recently that there was a controversy about the movie's end. Some people, it seems, are adamant that the little red wagon sailed off into the sky and that Bobby spent the rest of his life happy and traveling. This fantastical possibility was offered by the film's somewhat cryptic ending and many fans decided that, despite the grim reality of the rest of the story, a fantasy ending was somehow fitting. The director, Richard Donner, seemed to want that, too, but he couldn't sink the weight of writer David Evans's final few lines.

Even as a writer and a creative person, it has always surprised me that some people are so willing to suspend reality in favor of even the most obvious fantasies -- like karma and its accompanying bromides like "what comes around goes around" or "there are no accidents". Bad things happen to good people every day. Some ignorant or bad people are greatly rewarded. Sixteen year old girls blow lottery fortunes on fake boobs and cocaine, while people who've worked hard for 30 or 40 years lose their jobs and homes. Talent and persistence don't always win out -- sometimes luck, nepotism, or family connections matter more.

And the chances are that if you see a baby being thrown against a wall, or a woman getting raped, or a gay man being beaten by a bunch of thugs, you're not going to think it's karma, or the mythical fates at work -- you're not going to think "there are no accidents" -- instead you're going to think that such events are wretched, horrible, often preventable, and totally unacceptable.

I believe that people buy into the karma myth because it comes with blinders attached. If people can delude themselves into believing that there's some higher reason for unacceptable acts or circumstances, and that the world runs as it is supposed to, then they're essentially letting themselves off the hook from having to consider the realities of the world they live in and, consequently, their place and role in those realities. If they believe that "there are no accidents," then they don't have to put forth much effort in righting the wrongs, or even acknowledging them, because wrongs simply don't exist -- and if they do, well, karma -- not effort -- will take care of them.

Many otherwise smart and liberal-minded people I know have fallen under the spell of karmical thinking. They are so enamored with idealized concepts of peace, fairness, inclusiveness, and supporting the underdog that they have become intellectually lazy. They may be willing to lend their names to the progressive cause du jour -- Palestine, free elections in Iran, health care reform -- but their understanding of the issues may be extremely narrow, often on purpose and adamantly so, because they refuse to see anything beyond their magical blinders.

While some liberals may be bent on mystical, karmic thinking, even more pervasive, particularly when it comes to politics and religion, is the dogmatic adherence being exhibited by many conservatives. Here, people have ceased to think critically, as independent beings, and have instead subscribed to a rigid, and often fantastical, set of beliefs as proffered by their religion's or party's most prominent spokespeople.

Paradise in exchange for murder and suicide; heavenly forgiveness for even the most brutal and intentional of acts; forced marriages of young girls to older men; oppression and brutality heaped upon women, children, minorities, and the underclass -- there are those, in America and abroad, who insist that God is a co-perpetrator of these and other savage and systematic abuses of humanity, and that man is only carrying out God's will when he bombs an abortion clinic, forces a thirteen year old Texas girl into a polygamous marriage, or stones a Sudanese rape victim to death.

The horrors of oppressive religion become entwined with culture. In Afghanistan, a ten year old girl beaten with wires by her two older brothers for visiting a skateboard park says, "I'm not upset with my brothers for beating me, they have the right." In Canada as well as the U.S., women and teenage girls defend a lifestyle in which it is common for 14 and 15 year old girls, most of whom have never experienced life outside of their isolated communities, to marry and bear children.

And while American conservatives have leaned on the gospel of Christianity a great deal, almost none of their social responses are merciful, e.g. Christian, in nature. They buck against the idea of society helping the poor or uninsured. They seek the harshest of punishments against even non-violent offenders. They bring guns to town hall meetings. They favor the deregulation of corporations and a mitigation of corporate responsibilities. They fight against increases in the minimum wage. They either don't believe in global warming, or don't think measures to curb it are fair to industry. They think the Constitution and Bill of Rights should bend to their whim -- making things like the Patriot Act morally acceptable, but a secular, inclusive government evil.

Under the umbrella of Christianity, the Republicans have stood against equality for women. They have sought to undo affirmative action. They do not believe gay people should have equal rights to the benefits of marriage. They believe that hate crime legislation imposes on their religious freedom. They continue to fight against The United Nations Bill of Rights for Children, which seeks to make children less the chattel of their parents and give them protections as autonomous but dependent beings. 193 countries have signed the bill over the past decade. America and Somalia are two who have not.

In the fantastical world of fundamentalist religiopolitics, it is acceptable for Glenn Beck to call Obama a racist, but not acceptable to question the racial motives behind the continuous, frivolous, and often frighteningly ignorant attacks on President Obama. It was acceptable when a Republican President put the country into trillions of dollars of debt, lied to the American people, advocated torture, kept prisoners without due process, and allowed companies like Halliburton and Blackwater to fill their coffers with tax money -- but it is unacceptable that Obama works towards health care reform, and speaks to school children about working hard and not giving up. It was unpatriotic to criticize war and torture under Bush, but it's perfectly patriotic to bring a gun to a protest against health care.

Ever since Obama became a contender, I have watched the dogmatic branch of the right-wing slip into a state of near hysteria. While there was just something sad and pathetic about watching religious Republican mouthpieces like Jerry Falwell debate the sexuality of Tinky Winky or blaming gays, feminists and pagans for the attack of 9/11, what's happening now is steeped in a vicious and hateful brew that makes yesterday's spewed ignorance seem almost innocuous. From conspiracy theories about the President's birth certificate, to ongoing accusations that Obama is a Muslim, socialist, Marxist, thug -- even Satan incarnate -- these attacks step way outside the realm of political disagreement or religious differences, and seek to illegitimize and demonize a President who hasn't even been in office for a full year; who hasn't yet significantly changed the political or social landscape of America; and who, coincidentally, happens to be America's most powerful and popular minority figure.

Of course, the possibility that racism is behind much of the expressed hatred is met with staunch denial. Then again, as long as they don't mention blackness, but instead insist that Obama is an A-rab and play on the fears of their most ignorant followers, then that's not racist but somehow proper and worthy of consideration.

If a political parallel between the Radio Flyer movie and politics were to be drawn, the mystical thinkers in the liberal party would be the blinders-on idealists who really believe that their little red wagon can effortlessly defy the laws of physics and reality, and fly happily into the sunset to live happily-ever-after in some future made of dreams and wishes. They actually do little to accomplish their imagined flight because that would involve having to fight and possibly alienate the people that don't want them to take off in the first place. Instead, the mystical thinkers seek to build consensus even among the most inhospitable people, compromising themselves right into a steady holding pattern where little gets done but hey -- the intentions were good and in the end isn't that what's most important?

Conservatives, on the other hand, may be helping the Republican party commit suicide with their outlandish escapades and maniacal speech but they're playing it off as if they, too, were taking flight -- into a future that glorifies and seeks to replicate the past -- when uppity black and poor people, women, and children knew their places; labor laws and unions didn't interfere with business; war was glorified; prayer was considered more fruitful than knowledge; and non-white, non-Christians were viewed as less than equal or heretical.

In between the two extremes, there are those who seek neither fanciful flight nor destruction of progress. We wonder why it's not possible to effect a rescue before the wagon goes careening down the mountainside in the first place.

The ending that wasn't offered by the movie Radio Flyer also seems absent in politics. The question is, between the inaction of the karmic thinkers and the screaming of the backward dogmatists, will the country be able to save itself from the kind of cryptic politics that leaves the future precariously hanging from the side of a cliff?

This version corrects film director's name.

Follow Jane Devin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/janedevin

Comments

[MsDee]

NICE!! Brilliantly said.

[Skepticat]

The advantage to having dogmatic religious or ideological belief systems is you don't have to learn anything new, think very much - or be particularly bright to get by. Everything is explained for you. . Unfortunately in a world of constant uncertain change, prisoners of dogma have only two options:
1. They can reject or modify the belief system to accomodate new realities. This "scientific method" - requires critical thinking, acceptance of uncertainty and willingness to admit error.
OR
2. They can deny facts that challenge their belief system - and redouble their fanaticism. They can invent elaborate conspiracy theories to deny reality. They can cling to uniformed interpretations of the bible or constitution and demonize opponents as "atheistic muslim nazi-commie gay socialist baby killers. What to do when a smart Black guy got elected president - but you believe only whites are real 'merkins? Birthers solve the dilemma with the “foreign birth certificat­e”conspira­cy. This allows them to justify what would to them otherwise be disloyal behavior - and disguises fearful obnoxious racism as patriotic protest. Unfortunately nothing will change their belief system because it's all they have.

[Agentprovokatur]

It also leads to and feeds the fear that fuels much of their anti-social activity. Fear of the new, the unknown and the unexplainable. Without tools (or out of laziness in even trying) to understand the unknown that doesn't fit their "belief systems" they are left to thrash about in that fear.

What an unhappy existence.

For them and for us who have to deal with it.

[benchy]

I think some of the concerns people on the right have are valid and we should listen to. I do worry about the amount of money that is going to be spent in any of the programs that are being proposed, but I do believe that we need change, in our thinking. We have stopped being a country were we always looked after the ones that needed help, at home and abroad, but worry too much about how profitable it will be. But at the same time we do need to understand how we are going to pay for some of these programs. What I do not accept is the hypocrisy of some people on the right today, who stood silently for 8 years, while the Bush government spent and drove the country into the biggest deficit in years, and never said a thing, nor did they question how would we pay for an unjustified war and the social bankruptcy of giving tax cuts to the richest of people. Rightfully so, I can see why many on the left, would conclude that some of the opposition to our current President is tinted with racism and plain old ignorance. You can't have this kind of two face approach to the same issues. People on the left also need to stop and think and be rational.

[TerrapinCB]

only a two step process is needed benchy.

1. stop the two wars (afghanistan and iraq)

2. end the bush tax cuts for the rich.

[benchy]

I agree, the wars need to end, however we are deep in the mess now and we can't just cut and run, so although the intention is there, the reality is different, and without a strategy to get out of Afghanistan (I would like to think we have one for Iraq, but not really sure) we are still going to have to pay that price. President Obama seems in favour of reinforcing our presence in Afghanistan, so there may be a long term involvement there and we still need to take care of our domestic issues.

Regarding tax cuts for the rich, that should be done immediately, I wholeheartedly agree, if it hasn't been done already.

[DocManhattan]

Terrific article. I am right there with you, Jane.

[StPeteDave]

I wonder sometimes if there are limits to human understanding. I think so. I think there are things that a human brain simply could not comprehend, and I also think its arrogant to believe humans are be all to end all. Maybe we are, but I still think it's arrogant to think that. It's a big universe and we are very small.

[writer10027]

I enjoyed your well-written article Ms. Devin and agree with you that, often, people are more than willing to embrace (and cling to) a pretty lie rather than face and deal with harsh truth...
But I think you've mistakenly interpreted "karma" as something punitive -- like a big hand of justice comes and slaps down one's enemies -- "take that you meanies!". That is not karma in the sense in which the concept was generated and used for centuries before it became a buzz word among westerners.
Cause and effect; energy is neither created nor destroyed.­.. the interplay of action/reaction is what "karma" describes. In the overview of quantum physics, there are no coincidences. That is not the linear, limited form of "justice" that is the common misinterpretation of "karma".
Materialism is part of the whole picture, but let’s not be tunnel-vis­ioned... that's not "truth" either. There are many intelligent, well-grounded, adult people who acknowledge a non-material aspect to the functioning of the world -- a "cause & effect" in the world; a dynamic that underlies the strictly physical.
It would be simple and much easier to deal with the world if it we all just feel in to the category of the "self-deluded" or the smart, awake pragmatists, but life and the human condition are so much more complex and harder to label and control than that.
... I agree with you wholeheartedly about the ending of "Radio Flyer"!!

[Arch Angel 71]

If I am allowed, I'd love to answer your title question "... where is America heading?"

With America's military bulged down in Iraq & Afghanistan, its capitalism on the decline, its citizenry well armed to the teeth, and its white folks creating chaos while "wanting their country back!", the only thing missing is a spark and this very explosive mixture will explode!!! And when it does, it will most probably end with an America that is more racially divided, more violent, harder to govern, etc. It is not hard to imagine that this new America will have more enemies around the world than it has now!

The new America would surely get its act together after decades, but by the time it finally does that, the world will already have a Super Power, I guess HYPER POWER will be the fitting way to call it... and that hyper power will be known as CHINA!!!

From here onward, America's problems will multiply, because history teaches us that a Super Power usually does everything to sabotage another wanna-be super power. With America's ever present divisiveness, China may have a very easy task.

I hope my guess turns out wrong... but after watching America for the past 9 years, one is tempted to believe that everything (about America) is indeed only KARMA...

[wildedge]

HuffPost's Pick

A number of audience reviewers at IMDb.com have made a convincing case that Bobby was really a psychological invention by MIke, who was being abused by his step-father, in ordr to project his discordant inner responses to the abuse, as a means of both denying and accepting it as inevitable.
We are all living in one defensive fantasy or another, because the truth of America today is too painful, too self-contradictory, to tolerate. America doesn't torture - yes it does; America is a democracy - no it's not. America is the land of opportunity - if you're rich; we can't trust our government to provide social services, but we must trust them to deport 15 million illegal aliens; hate speech is tolerable if it comes from the mouth of a media celebrity - but it is intolerable for the President to admonish students to do their homework; the technology developed by modern science, like nuclear power, is wonderful, but discoveries made possible by that technology - e.g. evolution - are evil; the rights of the unborn supercede those of the living, but bettering America for future generations is a communist plot.
There's no doubt that politician, the media, and big business have all colluded to abuse us to such an extent that living in America is only tolerable by projections into fantasy.
Personally, my own Bobby flew off the hillside a long time ago.

[nowpolitics]

Great article. I have been looking up other things that you have written and I am quite impressed.

America, the United States, that is, a country that taunts itself in the world as epitome of civility and democracy. The country that showed the world in the last century how to advance humanity in many bold steps have simply been hijacked by a 'few' crazies.

It is not just the world that is currently stunned on the imagery coming out of US after the historic election of a half-black man, the immigrants who founded the country should be restless in their grave for the disdain with which immigration is viewed in this country.

This is not a debate of two sides to an issue, it is simply nihilism on one side and intellectual laziness on the other to call a spade, a spade. If America is to reclaim its place in the world, we need to wake up and smell the coffee.

[randakost]

Karma represents an order to the universe that some of us need, especially atheists and agnostics. If we're good, good things will happen to us. If something bad happens, we deserved it. It isn't reality but it's easier than no order whatsover. It's too hard to realize that any one of us could be hit by a bus tomorrow through no fault of our own and that would be it.

[Moosekilla]

I would feel better if they just dawned there white robes and mask and just called him a "N" and get it over with. As some one mentioned before , Bush got us into all of this unnecessary spending through lying to the American public, but thats OK. Fox news is spewing all of the hate and fear mongering. Its like is a place were rednecks and the ignorant can go to find a reason to swell there anger.

What kills me is Obama is trying to help people with health care , energy, stimulus package. How many of those rednecks used cash for clunkers to by a new car, how many are on government run health care.

White people have had good for thousands of years , they built wealth on the back of free labor , they pushed the once proud indian's out of there lands, They go into Iraq on the principles of christainity and kill thousand sof Iraq's. There were no car bombs when Sadam was in power. Are white people truly evil or just greedy capitalistic pigs.

If something happens to Obama , you will see a new emergence from the black community one that probably will not be too peaceful. I hope that day never comes. I hope that this people would wake up and see what this man is trying to do for all of us. And I am a black man.

[randakost]

Most white people are just as oppressed as anyone else, they just don't seem to mind the oppression as long as it's done by someone that looks like them. Race hatred is stirred up and perpetuated by the wealthy to keep the rest of us fighting amongst ourselves so we don't unite and fight against them. It's working beautifully.

[Shayrae]

'' Most white people are just as oppressed as anyone else, they just don't seem to mind the oppression as long as it's done by someone that looks like them.''

Very true. They don't mind being oppressed because Beck, Limbaugh and that crowd
doesn't let them know that their hate filled venom is making them, Beck and Limbaugh, even richer. It's really a sad day for America when people yell hate on Saturday and today are sitting in churches, certain that they are doing what God wants them to do. Hate in the name of God. Amazing.

[Ergon]

Karma can be a little more complex than the way it is portrayed by New Agers, but I accept your point: we need to get off our behinds and hold people accountable for their ACTIONS.

[DorisRoseMacBean]

A thoughtful and well articulated description of the "coolade" mentality we are living. I came of age in the 60's and 70's where folks did voice dissent and not just email their friends. We are on a very slippery slope, I'm afraid. I appreciate your excellent voice in speaking truth to power.

[Dynamohum]

I started protesting for civil rights when I was 14 (1968) an against the Viet Nam War when I was 15( 1969). I protested against the draft. I protested against nuclear weapons and power. I protested in the STREET until 1979 when all but the last vestiges of organized PRODUCTIVE protests had all but disappeared.

The protests were covered extensively on the evening news during all of it. Now, we have a media that legitmizes the protests it wants and totally ignores all others. Thus we have the TEABAGGERS getting 75% of the protest airtime and progressives getting 25%, if that much. This next phase of outrage and protest must

[Bobotheclown]

"Ignorant people." That used to be an epithet one used against people you could not stand who were arguing against your position. Now it has crept up toward an actual condition of large segments of society. I don't know what has caused it, are the schools so much worse now than they used to be? I don't think so. Rather there seems to have been a cultural shift of increasing emnity toward thinkers of all types. People who see the other side of questions, people who acknowledge shades of gray, people who know facts are seen as dangerous to something. That odd epithet "reality based" is scary on a lot of levels. It is the face of something very bad peeking through the deterioating fabric of our culture. We seem to be drifting toward a world much different than the one we grew up in.

[PlantGod72]

Thank you for a powerful and lucid reading of the events that are swirling around us today. It seems that we've unleashed the vilest elements of our society by electing someone who I believe is basically a compassionate, intelligent, visionary person as our President. Barack Obama may not be the uber-Progressive that many on the left would like to see, but he consistently reminds me that he has a stronger grasp on the challenges facing us than many of us give him credit for.