Friday, April 6, 2007

Truly ours has been a grand experiment in self government founded on individual responsibility, vigilance, and skepticism. But today many have abandoned our nation's beliefs, lapsing into that insidious human yearning for a simplistic vision offered up by a so-called "strong" leader, a lord, a king.

Currently the condescending, incurious Bush serves that purpose, surrounded by his cabal of secretive, paranoid, fear-mongering puppet-masters. Having taken advantage of the fortuitous catastrophe of 9/11 to brandish the club of "patriotism" over the cowering, sheep-like legislative branch of our government, Bush and the neo-cons launched their pre-planned "war" into "neutral Iraq."

Fight them there so we don't fight them here." Fight what? An Iraqi army coming in row boats? Arrogance. Stupidity. Ignorance of language, history, culture, and religion. Smart bombs not smart enough. They miss by plenty. Thousands of Iraqis dead. Families. Children. How would you feel? Guerrilla resistance mounts. Civil war erupts; 3,000 American dead. More thousands survive wounds but torn to shreds. We reap Iraqi hatred unto the third and fourth generations. Next time, I'll discuss roadside bombs, Persian war chariots, and the battle of Agincourt. Peace.

Abbott Meader Oakland