The Frequency Is Courage

I read Shooting War as we were finishing The Mercy Seat because it looked so intriguing I just couldn't wait. I was not disappointed. This book is such a flaming criticism I nearly choked with joy while I read it. One of my favorite parts is the exchange between Dan Rather and Jimmy Burns. "The Frequency is Courage."

This day and age is a time when our country has lost its courage. But we didn't really lose it; it was stolen from us. On monday when the stock market did its impression of Tony Danza's career, on the way home on the ferry you could almost feel the panic hushed over the city like a crouched predator. Now the politicians are reaping what they have sowed. What do you get when you have an entire population overkeyed to the sensation of fear? A population that starts at the slightest word and all you have to do to get the frightened sheep to agree is say the word terrorism or attack. Hell's bells! On September 11th every soul in New York looked up when the heard a plane and the same look of panic crossed our faces. Even politicians aren't safe. When calling for support of a national defense bill, no matter how draconian or wrong it may be, simply mention that it's unpatriotic or not approving it will provoke an attack and you'll have the whole of Washington D.C. goosestepping behind you.

Where is the brave nation that rode forth to stop the Nazi's? Where is the nation that fostered leaders who weren't afraid of dissent? Did it ever exist?

"The Frequency Is Courage." Unfortunately we're on the wrong channel.