The Age of Fear

Any real War on Terror would require each modern citizen to look into his/her heart of hearts and confront the fear which now underlies each action or thought of each waking ( and dreaming) moment.

"Are we but recently afraid, or were we always afraid but too slow or blustery or full of hormones to know it? We have always been afraid. We are only now sufficiently feeble to visibly shake."

from "Manifesto" by Padgett Powell published in the inaugural issue of Little Star. It is a sort of Yeats' Second Coming for our Time.

Afraid of God ( there are now 81 churches in this small rural valley, five new ones being constructed) ( by comparison, there are 7 pharmacies)
Afraid of the Other ( each Opinion Page contains one or more letters warning of socialists, illegals, infidels,tyrants, despots, bureaucrats, democracy and the contagion which emanates from each of these.)
Afraid of Human Nature ( see churches above)
Afraid of Complexity ( scientists/ science, educators, "mainstream media", law, economics, all theory)
Afraid of Each Other ( the boss, the soldier, the cop, the politician, the tycoon, the snitch, the neighbor,your fellow worker,your child)
Afraid of Change ( this isn't great, but it could be worse! Look at how content we USED to be, let's stick with what we know)

If we have nothing to fear but fear itself that is a lot to be afraid of. Afraid of losing my job, my status, comfort, my spouse, my mind. Afraid of appearing weak, of being weak.

Again,from "Manifesto" : "We are afraid to be men, to engage the world bravely, to be upright in our behavior, to have moral height, to display ditto fiber, to shoot ourselves, to have another dog- ...
You are incoherent, almost.
The edge of incoherence is a strong position, militarily speaking."

Dedicated to Che Bob: Show up, pay attention, don't worry about the outcome.