More Imposed Restraint

I planned to discuss self restraint this week, in connection with Ramadan. But imposed restraint keeps rearing its ugly head and cannot be ignored.

In principle, I agree with social restraint. It will never work though. Not in the United States of America. Not unless the lawmakers passed stringest legislation with dire penalties to physically force conformity.

This country is not like others. I lived in Thailand, for instance, where everyone drinks coffee the same way--with heavy cream and sugar. In Thailand, conformity is a way of life. It's easy to convince the populace that it's impolite to point their feet and it's much worse to insult the monarchy. Thai people accept restraint willingly, and often with a gentle smile.

But the U.S. was founded on rugged individualism. This is our heritage. We are descended from hundreds of countries and ethnic groups. Often we are more different than we are alike. And conformity must be imposed, but even that doesn't work. Not really.

I've already discussed the university student who asked the uncomfortable questions. What about the congressman who noted the lobbying power of AIPAC? It's not a secret, but he has been criticized for saying anything about it. If he's not careful, he could lower himself to the ignominy of Jimmy Carter, the former president who believes there can and should be peace in the Middle East. How dare he?

The media can shout and scream and the radio talk show hosts can rant and rave. In the end nothing will be changed. You cannot impose restraint on the American people. Not yet, anyway. Not ever, I hope.