Whenever anyone brings up the Hillary-why’d-you-vote-for-it question for supporting the Bush administration taking the nation to war in Iraq, it must befuddle the Senator as much as it does me. At that time, she couldn’t ignore the emotional outcries from the majority of citizens, who demanded patriotism from every corner in their lives. Whether they were sincere or grandstanding a situation, they evoked a manic demonstration of American eagles, flags and ribbons. 9-11 made an indelible mark on hearts and minds. Hillary went with the flow. It was the right thing to do: get those weapons of mast destruction out of Iraq. I doubt many foresaw how the eventual military mess that Bush & Company would endanger so many of our troops, with no foreseeable success.
If the current sad state of affairs has been an orchestrated effort, it was composed with the help of all the Vice-President’s men. The President continues to put our democratic freedom at odds with the perception from the rest of the world. , making us less civilized in the eyes of other countries. Public opinion of our involvement in Iraq has turned against continuing the war, yet many cringe at the cut-and-run option. We are not cowards.
So, Hillary is going with the flow, again. It’s the right thing to do: admit the President’s failure to win his war, and take a responsible stance for future involvement in international matters, which does not include surrendering to our basis of being in the Middle East.
The Lady In Waiting was duped by the President, as were the rest of us. His strategy was political. Hillary’s response was political. If anyone should question someone’s action and he/she doesn’t respond, politics is the honest answer. Apology not accepted.
PARCEL POST 2008 @ www.parcelpost08.blogspot.com A New Year. A New Blog.
Showing posts with label Iraq War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iraq War. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Of Vietnam and Iraqi Wars
It was the protests against the Vietnam War that brought down the Democrats during the 1968 election, at which time Richard Nixon began the pull out of American troops.
It will be the silent protests against the occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan, misnamed the War on Terrorism, that will bring down the Republicans in 2008, at which time a Democrat president will begin the pull out of American troops, or reshuffle their assignments.
Come January 2009, President George W. Bush could very easily have been vacating the White House with a true legacy for American history books.
Once Sadam Hussein had been ousted and executed, and weapons of mass destruction were proven non-existent, a quick victory exit might have lead to committed support from Congress to address the broader goal of addressing worldwide terrorism. Perhaps events would have garnered involvement from the United Nations and NATO and we would not be alone in this Iraqi mess.
That date of triumph should have been May 1, 2003, when President Bush proclaimed "Mission Accomplished" aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. In honor of President Lincoln's legacy, it should have been a day to celebrate the "emancipation of the Iraqi people". Bush could have had a legacy of his own if only he had a mind to lay claim to the success of a conflict that was accomplished with 41 days (March 19 - May 1, 2003) compared to the 193-days (August 2, 1990 - March 3, 1991) it had taken Bush, Sr. to bring Desert Storm to an end.
Bush was too quick and too fast to do more than what could be accomplished by one nation. Today, most Americans feel he won’t be out of the Oval Office soon enough.
Regardless which political party takes residency in the Oval Office in January 2009, hopefully we will shortly see our borders secured and there will be bipartisan resolve on illegal immigration. At that point, we may also have the opportunity to regain respect from the world community, and the United Nations and NATO will be in alliance with the United States to address global terrorism. The icing on the cake (or the icecap in the Arctic Circle) would find the United States a committed member to resolve global warming without getting all heated up about it.
PARCEL POST 2008 @ www.parcelpost08.blogspot.com
A New Year. A New Blog.
It will be the silent protests against the occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan, misnamed the War on Terrorism, that will bring down the Republicans in 2008, at which time a Democrat president will begin the pull out of American troops, or reshuffle their assignments.
Come January 2009, President George W. Bush could very easily have been vacating the White House with a true legacy for American history books.
Once Sadam Hussein had been ousted and executed, and weapons of mass destruction were proven non-existent, a quick victory exit might have lead to committed support from Congress to address the broader goal of addressing worldwide terrorism. Perhaps events would have garnered involvement from the United Nations and NATO and we would not be alone in this Iraqi mess.
That date of triumph should have been May 1, 2003, when President Bush proclaimed "Mission Accomplished" aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. In honor of President Lincoln's legacy, it should have been a day to celebrate the "emancipation of the Iraqi people". Bush could have had a legacy of his own if only he had a mind to lay claim to the success of a conflict that was accomplished with 41 days (March 19 - May 1, 2003) compared to the 193-days (August 2, 1990 - March 3, 1991) it had taken Bush, Sr. to bring Desert Storm to an end.
Bush was too quick and too fast to do more than what could be accomplished by one nation. Today, most Americans feel he won’t be out of the Oval Office soon enough.
Regardless which political party takes residency in the Oval Office in January 2009, hopefully we will shortly see our borders secured and there will be bipartisan resolve on illegal immigration. At that point, we may also have the opportunity to regain respect from the world community, and the United Nations and NATO will be in alliance with the United States to address global terrorism. The icing on the cake (or the icecap in the Arctic Circle) would find the United States a committed member to resolve global warming without getting all heated up about it.
PARCEL POST 2008 @ www.parcelpost08.blogspot.com
A New Year. A New Blog.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
A 2% Solution?
Generally speaking, a figure representing 2% of the total sum is an extremely low number. A loan with such an interest rate would be exceptional, yet unrealistic by all means. Couple that with a similar sales tax on all goods and services and every American family budget would find it easy to catch up on outstanding bills, although many would extend their debts to maximize such a bonanza of value.
There are other items that would bring a sigh of relief and a hope for financial gain. Interest rates on many savings accounts and money market accounts. Such a limit on increases for home insurance, property taxes, health care and gas prices over a year’s time might be a catalyst for consumer retirement accounts. For some wage earners a 2% pay increase would be unacceptable, but for many employees such a pay raise would be better than none, especially so if job loss is of major concern.
The list could go on identifying the benefits of such a small increase but, just as easily, there are numerous other cases where a 2% increase would be disastrous. Returns on typically safe investments or the gross national product are just a couple items.
Taking a look at other statistical percentages, should we be willing to accept a mortality rate of 3% of breast cancer victims, or 2.7% for those with prostate cancer? They may be small numbers in themselves but when referring to a survival rate, the equation demands the least amount of heartbreak.
Taking a serious look at another group of numerical facts, what about the death rate of servicemen as a result of WWI at 2.5%? WWII at 2.1%? The Korean War at 3.0%? Vietnam War at 2.2%? Gulf War at 1.8%? These figures include those who are Missing In Action.
Thus far, the Iraqi War figures indicate the death rate of our troops to be at 2.4%, which may be in question considering the honesty of our current administration in divulging the truth of occupational hazards. By all averages, this number seems to be in line with the other wars, but perhaps the percentage would be lower if victory had been declared with the capture and the ultimate execution of Sadam Hussein; the total would surely be much less regardless of any percentages.
At this point, the U.S. military is assuming an extended period of military occupation in Iraq but it will surely expand to more involvement in Afghanistan, Iran and, more likely than not, Pakistan, Turkey and Syria.
The United Sates took the task to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction with little or no support from our historical allies. As the years have passed, those nations that had once participated have abandoned what they have come to see a lost cause.
With the demise of Saddam Hussein, President Bush had achieved his original goal and would have been considered a winner if he had taken the victor’s prize at that time. At that point, if he had been willing to re-evaluate strategies to wage a true war on the broader task of fighting terrorism in the region, perhaps the United Nations and NATO would, right now, be at our side, giving support to the effort, sharing the expenses of time, money and the loss of lives.
Without argument, waging a war on terrorism in just one of many countries that harbor these scourges of humanity has been poorly focused; all roads to Iraq do not lead to the sources of Islamic extremists. Iraq has never been the solution to labyrinth of terrorist factions.
Other disturbing numbers of war involve the amount of time the troops have been deployed.
Whereas service men were in combat for an average of 40 days during WWII, and those in the Vietnam War were deployed for 240 days, the length of time in Iraq is 24 months. This equates to 720 days, or 300% longer than the time a soldier served in Vietnam and 1800% for those serving WWII. Such a lengthy tour of duty is a detour from life for every soldier in battle.
By any means, percentages may be derived from simple math, but the sum of all these numbers represent a negative solution for success.
Parcel Post 2008 @ www.parcelpost08.blogspot.com A New Year. A New Blog.
There are other items that would bring a sigh of relief and a hope for financial gain. Interest rates on many savings accounts and money market accounts. Such a limit on increases for home insurance, property taxes, health care and gas prices over a year’s time might be a catalyst for consumer retirement accounts. For some wage earners a 2% pay increase would be unacceptable, but for many employees such a pay raise would be better than none, especially so if job loss is of major concern.
The list could go on identifying the benefits of such a small increase but, just as easily, there are numerous other cases where a 2% increase would be disastrous. Returns on typically safe investments or the gross national product are just a couple items.
Taking a look at other statistical percentages, should we be willing to accept a mortality rate of 3% of breast cancer victims, or 2.7% for those with prostate cancer? They may be small numbers in themselves but when referring to a survival rate, the equation demands the least amount of heartbreak.
Taking a serious look at another group of numerical facts, what about the death rate of servicemen as a result of WWI at 2.5%? WWII at 2.1%? The Korean War at 3.0%? Vietnam War at 2.2%? Gulf War at 1.8%? These figures include those who are Missing In Action.
Thus far, the Iraqi War figures indicate the death rate of our troops to be at 2.4%, which may be in question considering the honesty of our current administration in divulging the truth of occupational hazards. By all averages, this number seems to be in line with the other wars, but perhaps the percentage would be lower if victory had been declared with the capture and the ultimate execution of Sadam Hussein; the total would surely be much less regardless of any percentages.
At this point, the U.S. military is assuming an extended period of military occupation in Iraq but it will surely expand to more involvement in Afghanistan, Iran and, more likely than not, Pakistan, Turkey and Syria.
The United Sates took the task to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction with little or no support from our historical allies. As the years have passed, those nations that had once participated have abandoned what they have come to see a lost cause.
With the demise of Saddam Hussein, President Bush had achieved his original goal and would have been considered a winner if he had taken the victor’s prize at that time. At that point, if he had been willing to re-evaluate strategies to wage a true war on the broader task of fighting terrorism in the region, perhaps the United Nations and NATO would, right now, be at our side, giving support to the effort, sharing the expenses of time, money and the loss of lives.
Without argument, waging a war on terrorism in just one of many countries that harbor these scourges of humanity has been poorly focused; all roads to Iraq do not lead to the sources of Islamic extremists. Iraq has never been the solution to labyrinth of terrorist factions.
Other disturbing numbers of war involve the amount of time the troops have been deployed.
Whereas service men were in combat for an average of 40 days during WWII, and those in the Vietnam War were deployed for 240 days, the length of time in Iraq is 24 months. This equates to 720 days, or 300% longer than the time a soldier served in Vietnam and 1800% for those serving WWII. Such a lengthy tour of duty is a detour from life for every soldier in battle.
By any means, percentages may be derived from simple math, but the sum of all these numbers represent a negative solution for success.
Parcel Post 2008 @ www.parcelpost08.blogspot.com A New Year. A New Blog.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
A Draft to Arms
In light of today’s world of military confrontations against terrorist activities, am I amiss to believe that reviving the draft system would be appropriate? Could we not turn those flabby, overweight kids into toned, muscular representatives of American pride? And correct the diabetic-prone adults of tomorrow into solid, physical, healthy dynamos? Honest exercise programs from grade school onward would put them at odds to continue their poor dietary habits. Parents would be put on notice to resolve excesses.
Teamwork, responsibility and dedication to achieve success at self-discipline would supplement the advantages of textbook learning. Taking charge to achieve goals by supporting the efforts of classmates would prepare them for the interactive social skills that life necessitates.
One of the challenges of our citizenry is to put backbone to its professed support of our troops and put to test their loyalty to promote the greatness of our nation by accepting the enlistment of their children to take part in upholding our freedoms of democracy.
There is little doubt that extended tours of duty of our volunteer army have reached the near end of its sustainable effectiveness and that there is no honorable route to take than giving youth the opportunity to take pride for their inherited homage to defend our liberties.
Kids are said to be tech-prone in the half-light of their computer screens, I-Phones and X-Boxes that, in part, purvey games of military confrontations for victories with horrific consequences before their squinting eyes. The popularity of these games suggests expressions of individual superiority over threats to humanity. Technical advancements of electronic equipment that enhance military operations with state-of-the-art radar, sonar and underwater devices would take them where no digital connection has taken them before.
The realities of life, war, and the future of liberty and justice are not games of entertainment.
For young adults to participate in the wonders of this brave new world of advanced technology, they will have to pull up those britches, cover those cracks of insubordination and take on the challenge to live, learn and, literally, make the grade in the early years of academics. They must achieve excellence in reading, writing and adding up the whole of learning to sum up their futures as productive members of society.
Mandatory enlistment of every able-bodied young adult would prove a patriotic resolve to reinforce the American ideology of freedom. Everyone, regardless of race, color, creed, social or economic background should take part in defending the security of our citizenry and forge a future of global integration.
The offspring of elitist politicians and wealth, who may have a tendency to avoid the draft, would face a lifetime of overcoming the stigma of nepotism and cowardice. It would be those very parents of affluence who will have the influence to demand that the safety of our troops be of paramount concern and overcome the inferiority of armor, weaponry and military vehicles and aircraft. Friendly fire is a misnomer. Unfriendly equipment is a calamity for troop survival.
The lengthy tours of duty for our troops in Iraq, and subsequently Afghanistan, calls for the long-awaited reevaluation of our military strategies. Whereas servicemen were in combat for an average of 40 days during WWII, and those in the Vietnam War were deployed for 240 days, the length of time in Iraq is 24 months. This equates to 720 days, 300% longer than the time a soldier served in Vietnam and 1800% of those serving WWII. Such a lengthy tour of duty is a detour from life for every soldier in battle.
A mandatory two-year tour of duty could easily reinvent the ultimate honor of military integrity with re-enlistments, creating careers in national pride. Assistance in higher education would be an award. The more years in service, the greater the rewards. With the current turmoil of mankind in nearly every country in the world, at no time soon will there be a shortage for the need of military excellence.
One of the aspects of participating in the military has always been the “opportunity” to travel. This gives a broader range to experience first-hand the living conditions of other societies. Appreciation of our freedoms become self-evident when faced with the realities of others less fortunate and those whose daily fears destroy otherwise honorable men and women.
Acts of liberation can overcome the perception that military occupation demands democracy. Working together for the betterment of the world community can make this a safer world for everyone. A steadfast and true military machine can achieve success, but time is less a guideline than the conscientiousness of determined conviction toward freedom’s goal of self-government.
With dedicated citizen participation, perhaps we could regain the respect and involvement of our allies and prompt a positive outlook of our intentions for global goodwill, not the self-interest of a superpower that is viewed as soft to the core of its society.
Moms and dads would come face to face the realities of war. There will always be Prisoners of War, those who are Missing in Action, and the dreadful Casualties of War. Supporting our troops no doubt must include the enlistment of emotional support, not just from friends and relatives, but also for those friends and relatives whose loved ones face the daily horrors of war. The emotional needs of spouses and families left behind should be an aforethought.
I give considerate thought that, when I was deemed unfit for military duty during the years of the Vietnam War, might I not have been placed in an administrative position, perhaps no less patriotic than those in the throes of danger? My status of 4-F due to an asthmatic condition didn’t leave me without an ability to support our national interests, yet in hindsight I feel I may have found a sense of pride and personal achievement had I been placed in an administrative position. I realize these words sound admirable now, decades beyond that time when I feared my draft number may have been drawn for duty at any moment.
We should pursue an avenue of patriotic involvement now, for the young have no choice but to inherit the evils of global confrontations.
Confronting terrorism is reason to sustain our presence in the Middle East and Southeast Asia with telltale signs emerging in North Africa; there are no borders that bound the ideals of extremists as they spread their hatred through all streets of civilization. It may take decades to claim victory but with every successful operation we could once again say, I am proud to be an American, with earnest conviction.
I realize the Vietnam War and the horrific memories it congers is a major cause for the hesitancy of implementing another draft lottery. There was fear and loathing, anger and protesting that polarized the American populous. If we cannot rely on ourselves to defend our way of life with rational deliberation, are we doomed to loose liberties given to us by our forefathers? Did they not fight to uphold their beliefs and lay way for the emancipation of these United States?
Another concern apparently lies with advanced technology and the availability of personal communications. Instant messaging and picture phones give soldiers the opportunities to share the sights of the rockets’ red glare and the bombs bursting in air, giving proof through the nights that those military conflicts are still theirs. In love and war, show and tell must have its limits.
“Support the troops” has become a safe and convenient phrase to give honor to those soldiers in harm’s way. There is no honor for those who proclaim patriotism when personal sacrifice becomes an inconvenience and men and women in uniform spend their days and nights in foreign surroundings, doing the best they can to survive. We show little gratitude, as though throwing tidbits to a pet.
In times of sustained military aggressions, participating in an all-volunteer army gives pause for enlistment. Faced with mandatory extended tours of duty adds to the decay of families’ lives. Expansion of war activities into Afghanistan is making the task of meeting the demands of recruitment an unlikely attainable goal. Criminals are given opportunities for freedom but for what purpose? Perhaps they are considered expendable.
“Support the troops” certainly has its limits Sending foodstuffs to men and women in uniform is a very thoughtful gesture and a welcome connection to the homeland. But reading the labels on packages of perishable items gives an expiration date that may or may not bring thoughts of the same fate to those who recieve the generosity of the folks back home.
What about the support, or lack of, given to soldiers injured in action? They stand to lose limbs or their lives because their status is given less importance that what is demanded for their contributions. Two steps beyond the welcome home mat and they are dog meat at the mercy for health care. These soldiers have been injured in the line of duty yet treatment is questionable due to the inability of VA hospitals to accommodate their needs. Long delays of treatment, or possible denial of benefits, puts their lives at risk… again. Mental health treatment also lacks the consideration it deserves.
How honorable it is to profess support of the troops but what about the soldiers who may face a future of being homeless? Some come marching home yet have to beg for mercy, but mercenaries they were not meant to be. They are entitled to have a life support system, not one that lacks a generosity for services rendered.
See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. These are words of ignorance and will lead us to the waste of our lives, our liberties and our pursuit of happiness. Too many Americans hide behind a wall of denial for what the war on terrorism really demands: sacrifice from everyone. It’s much too easy to profess patriotism behind walls of luxury and personal security.
The National Guard continues to provide military support overseas as it has over the years; the Army National Guard since 1636, the Navy National Guard since 1947. They all deserve the consideration of honor as does the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.
Will volunteers fulfill the needs of our military involvement over the stretches of the globe? There is already a shortage of the able-bodied willing. Who do we turn to when the victories are no longer ours? Can we claim victory in our current wars?
The only alternative may be to subcontract American military interests to the likes of Blackwater, Inc. and other “guns for hire”. Is this the type of patriotism we want to employ, with no consciousness of battle? Their forces are paid better, given better equipment with less responsibility for their actions. In one sense, the expense in dollars and cents is of concern; the ultimate cost would be abandonment of national pride.
What would be the next step? Developing the ultimate war machine of programmable robotic soldiers? Would this resolve our preference to become less involved with the consciousness of war?
We would no longer have to be concerned with giving legitimacy to our claims to “support the troops”. Would we then pledge our allegiance to corporations of war spoils (COWS) and make it an investor’s reward with little speculation for earnings potential?
No.
It is time to bring the draft to arms. It is the winds of war that bring the draft into our lives.
Quotes to be acknowledged:
“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.” George Washington
“To stand upon ramparts and die for our principles is heroic,
but to sally forth to battle and win for our principles is something more than heroic.”
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
“Patriotism has become a mere national self assertion, a sentimentality with no constructive duties.” H.G. Wells
“Where’s the coward that would not dare to fight for such a land?” Sir Walter Scott
“Are modern-day heroes to be nothing more than sandwiches?” Ronald A. Rae
“It is easy to be brave from a distance.” Aesop
“Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state.” Thomas Jefferson
[I suggest reader participation at www.newsweek.com /id/40757 which will take you to “Why We Need A Draft” written by Cpl. Mark Finelli, an American Patriot)
PARCEL POST 2008 @ www.parcelpost08.blogspot.com A New Year. A New Blog.
Teamwork, responsibility and dedication to achieve success at self-discipline would supplement the advantages of textbook learning. Taking charge to achieve goals by supporting the efforts of classmates would prepare them for the interactive social skills that life necessitates.
One of the challenges of our citizenry is to put backbone to its professed support of our troops and put to test their loyalty to promote the greatness of our nation by accepting the enlistment of their children to take part in upholding our freedoms of democracy.
There is little doubt that extended tours of duty of our volunteer army have reached the near end of its sustainable effectiveness and that there is no honorable route to take than giving youth the opportunity to take pride for their inherited homage to defend our liberties.
Kids are said to be tech-prone in the half-light of their computer screens, I-Phones and X-Boxes that, in part, purvey games of military confrontations for victories with horrific consequences before their squinting eyes. The popularity of these games suggests expressions of individual superiority over threats to humanity. Technical advancements of electronic equipment that enhance military operations with state-of-the-art radar, sonar and underwater devices would take them where no digital connection has taken them before.
The realities of life, war, and the future of liberty and justice are not games of entertainment.
For young adults to participate in the wonders of this brave new world of advanced technology, they will have to pull up those britches, cover those cracks of insubordination and take on the challenge to live, learn and, literally, make the grade in the early years of academics. They must achieve excellence in reading, writing and adding up the whole of learning to sum up their futures as productive members of society.
Mandatory enlistment of every able-bodied young adult would prove a patriotic resolve to reinforce the American ideology of freedom. Everyone, regardless of race, color, creed, social or economic background should take part in defending the security of our citizenry and forge a future of global integration.
The offspring of elitist politicians and wealth, who may have a tendency to avoid the draft, would face a lifetime of overcoming the stigma of nepotism and cowardice. It would be those very parents of affluence who will have the influence to demand that the safety of our troops be of paramount concern and overcome the inferiority of armor, weaponry and military vehicles and aircraft. Friendly fire is a misnomer. Unfriendly equipment is a calamity for troop survival.
The lengthy tours of duty for our troops in Iraq, and subsequently Afghanistan, calls for the long-awaited reevaluation of our military strategies. Whereas servicemen were in combat for an average of 40 days during WWII, and those in the Vietnam War were deployed for 240 days, the length of time in Iraq is 24 months. This equates to 720 days, 300% longer than the time a soldier served in Vietnam and 1800% of those serving WWII. Such a lengthy tour of duty is a detour from life for every soldier in battle.
A mandatory two-year tour of duty could easily reinvent the ultimate honor of military integrity with re-enlistments, creating careers in national pride. Assistance in higher education would be an award. The more years in service, the greater the rewards. With the current turmoil of mankind in nearly every country in the world, at no time soon will there be a shortage for the need of military excellence.
One of the aspects of participating in the military has always been the “opportunity” to travel. This gives a broader range to experience first-hand the living conditions of other societies. Appreciation of our freedoms become self-evident when faced with the realities of others less fortunate and those whose daily fears destroy otherwise honorable men and women.
Acts of liberation can overcome the perception that military occupation demands democracy. Working together for the betterment of the world community can make this a safer world for everyone. A steadfast and true military machine can achieve success, but time is less a guideline than the conscientiousness of determined conviction toward freedom’s goal of self-government.
With dedicated citizen participation, perhaps we could regain the respect and involvement of our allies and prompt a positive outlook of our intentions for global goodwill, not the self-interest of a superpower that is viewed as soft to the core of its society.
Moms and dads would come face to face the realities of war. There will always be Prisoners of War, those who are Missing in Action, and the dreadful Casualties of War. Supporting our troops no doubt must include the enlistment of emotional support, not just from friends and relatives, but also for those friends and relatives whose loved ones face the daily horrors of war. The emotional needs of spouses and families left behind should be an aforethought.
I give considerate thought that, when I was deemed unfit for military duty during the years of the Vietnam War, might I not have been placed in an administrative position, perhaps no less patriotic than those in the throes of danger? My status of 4-F due to an asthmatic condition didn’t leave me without an ability to support our national interests, yet in hindsight I feel I may have found a sense of pride and personal achievement had I been placed in an administrative position. I realize these words sound admirable now, decades beyond that time when I feared my draft number may have been drawn for duty at any moment.
We should pursue an avenue of patriotic involvement now, for the young have no choice but to inherit the evils of global confrontations.
Confronting terrorism is reason to sustain our presence in the Middle East and Southeast Asia with telltale signs emerging in North Africa; there are no borders that bound the ideals of extremists as they spread their hatred through all streets of civilization. It may take decades to claim victory but with every successful operation we could once again say, I am proud to be an American, with earnest conviction.
I realize the Vietnam War and the horrific memories it congers is a major cause for the hesitancy of implementing another draft lottery. There was fear and loathing, anger and protesting that polarized the American populous. If we cannot rely on ourselves to defend our way of life with rational deliberation, are we doomed to loose liberties given to us by our forefathers? Did they not fight to uphold their beliefs and lay way for the emancipation of these United States?
Another concern apparently lies with advanced technology and the availability of personal communications. Instant messaging and picture phones give soldiers the opportunities to share the sights of the rockets’ red glare and the bombs bursting in air, giving proof through the nights that those military conflicts are still theirs. In love and war, show and tell must have its limits.
“Support the troops” has become a safe and convenient phrase to give honor to those soldiers in harm’s way. There is no honor for those who proclaim patriotism when personal sacrifice becomes an inconvenience and men and women in uniform spend their days and nights in foreign surroundings, doing the best they can to survive. We show little gratitude, as though throwing tidbits to a pet.
In times of sustained military aggressions, participating in an all-volunteer army gives pause for enlistment. Faced with mandatory extended tours of duty adds to the decay of families’ lives. Expansion of war activities into Afghanistan is making the task of meeting the demands of recruitment an unlikely attainable goal. Criminals are given opportunities for freedom but for what purpose? Perhaps they are considered expendable.
“Support the troops” certainly has its limits Sending foodstuffs to men and women in uniform is a very thoughtful gesture and a welcome connection to the homeland. But reading the labels on packages of perishable items gives an expiration date that may or may not bring thoughts of the same fate to those who recieve the generosity of the folks back home.
What about the support, or lack of, given to soldiers injured in action? They stand to lose limbs or their lives because their status is given less importance that what is demanded for their contributions. Two steps beyond the welcome home mat and they are dog meat at the mercy for health care. These soldiers have been injured in the line of duty yet treatment is questionable due to the inability of VA hospitals to accommodate their needs. Long delays of treatment, or possible denial of benefits, puts their lives at risk… again. Mental health treatment also lacks the consideration it deserves.
How honorable it is to profess support of the troops but what about the soldiers who may face a future of being homeless? Some come marching home yet have to beg for mercy, but mercenaries they were not meant to be. They are entitled to have a life support system, not one that lacks a generosity for services rendered.
See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. These are words of ignorance and will lead us to the waste of our lives, our liberties and our pursuit of happiness. Too many Americans hide behind a wall of denial for what the war on terrorism really demands: sacrifice from everyone. It’s much too easy to profess patriotism behind walls of luxury and personal security.
The National Guard continues to provide military support overseas as it has over the years; the Army National Guard since 1636, the Navy National Guard since 1947. They all deserve the consideration of honor as does the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.
Will volunteers fulfill the needs of our military involvement over the stretches of the globe? There is already a shortage of the able-bodied willing. Who do we turn to when the victories are no longer ours? Can we claim victory in our current wars?
The only alternative may be to subcontract American military interests to the likes of Blackwater, Inc. and other “guns for hire”. Is this the type of patriotism we want to employ, with no consciousness of battle? Their forces are paid better, given better equipment with less responsibility for their actions. In one sense, the expense in dollars and cents is of concern; the ultimate cost would be abandonment of national pride.
What would be the next step? Developing the ultimate war machine of programmable robotic soldiers? Would this resolve our preference to become less involved with the consciousness of war?
We would no longer have to be concerned with giving legitimacy to our claims to “support the troops”. Would we then pledge our allegiance to corporations of war spoils (COWS) and make it an investor’s reward with little speculation for earnings potential?
No.
It is time to bring the draft to arms. It is the winds of war that bring the draft into our lives.
Quotes to be acknowledged:
“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.” George Washington
“To stand upon ramparts and die for our principles is heroic,
but to sally forth to battle and win for our principles is something more than heroic.”
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
“Patriotism has become a mere national self assertion, a sentimentality with no constructive duties.” H.G. Wells
“Where’s the coward that would not dare to fight for such a land?” Sir Walter Scott
“Are modern-day heroes to be nothing more than sandwiches?” Ronald A. Rae
“It is easy to be brave from a distance.” Aesop
“Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state.” Thomas Jefferson
[I suggest reader participation at www.newsweek.com /id/40757 which will take you to “Why We Need A Draft” written by Cpl. Mark Finelli, an American Patriot)
PARCEL POST 2008 @ www.parcelpost08.blogspot.com A New Year. A New Blog.
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