What do Dogs in China and Abu Ghraib Have in Common?

This morning at we talked about a few things. As usual, the discussion soon went directly into the "red" zone. 

First, we were discussing these crazy pix of dogs groomed to look like other animals, especially panda bears. This is allegedly a new fad in China among the nouveau riches. Pretty fantastic pix, eh? 

But really? The noble dog-turned-fashion statement? My Chinese friend confirms for me that it is entirely possible. One of the photos, however, has a caption that it originated in HERSHEY, PENN - so Americans are also doing this stuff. Crazy, right?

Its over-the-top; its excessive. Its silly. 

But then S. said she had been watching a documentary last night on Abu Ghraib and she was so sad. She described a cabby who had been wrongly tortured and died as a result of his torture, at the hands of Americans. 

Horrible, no?

It is shocking to think of Americans using such primitive means as torture to ellicit responses from innocents. Our country does not sanction torture and killing mercilessly. Or does it?

S. decided that the whole thing is about what were we doing in Iraq anyhow. She thinks we should not be there. 

More to the point, what the hell happened to those soldiers? What made them behave so horrendously? What makes people do that? Where does that kind of anger and hatred come from?

And again, where did the hate that caused 9/11 come from? Because as much as we love freedom in America, those people and their comrades hate us just as much as we love freedom.

And this is where the comparison lies.

During the Cultural Revolution, China's youths were loosed on the intelligencia and the bourgeoisie to wreak violent class struggle and to overthrow the old ruling class, a class that Mao thought had allowed elements of the bourgoise to seep into the Communist culture. He wanted these elements purged.

With the State's permission, youths upended China, spilling into private homes, torturing and raping, violently beating people they considered the bourgoisie. So much anger was unleashed. A monster of sustained hostility was released on the population at large. The underclass was given carte blanche to go ahead and act out. That loosed a horrifying wave of destruction. Elements of China's revered and honored history were destroyed and are gone forever. Creatives and academics were purged from society. Much good was lost forever.

Following the Cultural Revolution, China returned to its rigid social hierarchy and strict order. For many years, the country has enjoyed peace, albeit within a socially restricted world. 

A Chinese friend has informed me that in urban areas, until the last decade or so, dog ownership was forbidden. As individuals become wealthier, their country is entering a new era. Citizens are expressing their bourgoise element much the way we do, here in America, with conspicuous consumption. After decades of supression, that element rises to express itself in the excesses we see in these photos. 

Acting out has been state-sanctioned or has errupted in seemingly civilized societies throughout history. For example, the Reign of Terror in France, or the persecution of Christians in Rome. In this country, the Ku Klux Klan often included members of law enforcement and elected officials. Locally, here in Los Angeles, the Zoot Suit Riots, when members of the militiary attacked hispanics dressed in zoot suits with impunity, as law enforcement and the media sanctioned their violence. The Latino community banded together to protect their community against such violence and prejudice; thus, the Chicano gangs in Los Angeles were born.

What makes people engage in evils like the Cultural Revolution or Abu Ghraib? What makes them dye their dogs rainbow colors? It is the human condition. And even horror and disgust are human emotions that can motivate excessive responses. "I hate the military," or "I hate Islam," for example. Two extremes of judgement. Hate is a powerful emotion.

Upon reflection, this morning's conversation was a conversation about the human condition. Is there a simple center with equilibrium, tolerance and peace? In China, dogs are being transformed into mini-camels. In America, we are walking a fine line between tolerance and protecting our freedom. 

These morning conversations are on the edge. Anyone care to join?