Irish philosopher Edmund Burke once said:
"The only thing necessary for
evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
No words could better describe the situation taking place in America today.
As the illegal war in Iraq bogs down and
the body bags start coming home to the
accompaniment of images of American POW's
on CNN, the mood worldwide is
one of shocked disbelief that events have
been allowed to go this far.
If indeed Americans who have supported this
war in the beginning are becoming
disillusioned, wait until the next curtain
comes up. Warfare in built-up areas: the
nightmare of all military commanders.
Americans seem to love war these days,
especially when they can kick back in their
well-worn easy chairs and sip their
cheap suds while taking in the deadly events
occurring in the Middle East.
Zombie-like, they exercise a level of egotism
that sets them apart from the
human race. I wonder if the "independent
media" will ever show this rotting
underbelly of the United States on prime
time, the supporters of this illegal war.
In Jakarta, my Indonesian friends now avoid
me. This is a bad sign. The radicals
are having a field day and growing stronger
by the minute. America, the Great Satan.
I used to laugh at that phrase. Not anymore.
From where I'm sitting it carries a lot of weight.
What happened to the lessons supposedly
learned in Vietnam? Are we as a nation
doomed to repeat past mistakes over and
over again until finally the American people
have had enough and attempt to call a halt
to this slaughter? What will happen to
those who do exercise their "rights" -
as if we have any left - in an attempt to steer
our country and our people back on course
with the rest of humanity?
What will the mindless, beer-swilling sheep
that comprise the majority of our electorate do
when they finally realize the gig is up?
Will they admit they were wrong, or simply bend over
and take it in the kiester because they
are, after all, the real cowards in our society?
Will the government turn the military loose
on the protesters? Will they fire on their
own countrymen? What will it take to dislodge
the evil in the White House?
I am afraid that I already know the answers
to these questions.
The one question that looms in my mind
now is: Can we still take back our country?
Or is it too late?
On a very personal level, I have to say
that I am sick of hearing average Americans
parroting the lies of the administration.
Just the other day I was attacked for an article
I wrote suggesting that a very hard look
be taken at what we the people are allowing
to happen in our name. One reader, who
appeared to possess the IQ of a smart housedog
(apologies to American dogs) actually challenged
me to a duel. I laughed at it. I'm not
laughing now. Not after watching the bodies
of my brother Marines being treated as
they were in Vietnam.
So, Mr. America, you hot dog eating, cheap
beer swilling loser who probably never
saw a day of military service, I am now
ready to take you up on it. You and me stud.
I specify sawed-off 12 gauge shotguns at
20 paces. I'll pay your way to Jakarta
- duels are legal here - and may the best
man win. I'll even pay for your cremation
and the Buddhist monks to preside over
the scattering of your ashes; it's still a
bargain in this part of the world.
My brother Marines are dying for nothing,
AGAIN, and I am now one very pissed off Marine.