Objectively, I agree that sometimes evil is wrought by the USA. But as per Randy Newman's “few words in defense of our country,” it's relative. Constantly the dialogue between Pontius Pilate and Ben-Hur in the 1959 classic is brought to my mind. Ben-Hur tells Pilate what Rome has unjustly done to his family. Pilate's reply: “Where there is greatness, great government or power, even great feeling or compassion, error also is great.” It is the nature of the beast, because we are human, and human institutions are going to multiply human foibles on a grand scale, even when intentions are good.

I don't know exactly what variety of Christian Bruce Cockburn is. His indignation at injustice is not really all that different from some of David's Psalms. My Christianity is secure in the understanding that God is just and will repay the evildoers, whatever their politics or philosophy. That calmness seemed to inform Cockburn's earlier work. Perhaps I selfishly wish, as a listener, that he would be a little more of an entertainer and less of a philosopher. Though, with all the bad and sad in the world, I can't really blame him for lamenting the dark side.

Thanks for the great post.

In Canada, the man has a drop-dead arsenal of chart hits, including the above two songs, “Lovers In A Dangerous Time”, “Fascist Architecture”, “Tokyo”, “Dream Like Mine”, etc. etc. He's definitely worth checking out if you're not already familar with his work.