Whose Opinion is World Opinion?

Prominent among the deities on whose altars we modern men are summoned to toss our pinch of incense is the dread goddess, World Opinion. Sometimes She is not unlike to the bogeyman of childhood, who gets us if we don’t watch out. We can’t send in air cover over the Bay of Pigs, use advanced weapons in Southeast Asia, take steps against violations of the persons and property of our citizens, tell the truth in the United Nations or try to get something for our money, because—World Opinion will get us if we don’t watch out.

Then too, She is like our Fairy Godmother who will grant our fondest wish—above all, that supreme wish to be loved—if we are good little boys and girls. Just throw away those naughty bombs and vote with the poor dear nations in the UN and elect soft-headed internationalists and invite Negroes to the country club—and World Opinion will give us a great big kiss and a sugarplum.

JB

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James Burnham

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Prominent among the deities on whose altars we modern men are summoned to toss our pinch of incense is the dread goddess, World Opinion. Sometimes She is not unlike to the bogeyman of childhood, who gets us if we don’t watch out. We can’t send in air cover over the Bay of Pigs, use advanced weapons in Southeast Asia, take steps against violations of the persons and property of our citizens, tell the truth in the United Nations or try to get something for our money, because—World Opinion will get us if we don’t watch out.

Then too, She is like our Fairy Godmother who will grant our fondest wish—above all, that supreme wish to be loved—if we are good little boys and girls. Just throw away those naughty bombs and vote with the poor dear nations in the UN and elect soft-headed internationalists and invite Negroes to the country club—and World Opinion will give us a great big kiss and a sugarplum.