This has been a long long week. Taking a leap (over my Grand Canyon of fears) and creating a web site (giving y’all a chance to take potshots) has been euphoric and frustrating, the latter leading to guilt. Why? Because others have more grave concerns.
Like this war. (Everybody else has an opinion, why not me!)
I’m having a hard time finding my balance with the “truth” of this war. Truth is personally known and skewed by our biased experiences. That’s why we so passionately defend it. That’s why what is truth to me may not be truth to you, but calls neither of us a liar.
Regarding this war …
I believe in democracy. I believe in helping my neighbor (although I’d prefer him or her to exercise a little self-help from time to time). I believe conditions in Iraq and most third world countries are horrible. I believe the superpowers like it this way (haves always need have nots). I believe terrorists are and have been supported by several countries, some of who are our allies (politics make strange bed fellows) and at times, even us (of course they weren’t called terrorists then). I believe anyone committing a terrorist act should be annihilated, without a trial, even though I generally don’t believe in the death penalty (our judicial system is too screwed).
I believe in free speech. I believe in fighting to uphold the right to that speech. And once in a war, I believe in supporting our troops whose lives have been put on the line whether they or we agree or disagree with the war. (Anti-war passion will not stop or cut short this war. A truth that will change if casualties rise.)
I do not believe unconditional support of our government’s choices and a zip of our lips is a sign of patriotism. It’s a step to dictatorship. I do not believe statements or acts by idiots deserve a free pass because “it’s a time of war.”
I do not believe this war is about giving Iraq democracy. I do not believe our president or the media or other countries are giving us the full “truth”. Come on, how did Iraq get these nuclear weapons in the first place? And their existence has been known how long? Their support of terrorism and anti-American sentiment is not new. And the cruel mistreatment and killing of their citizens and adversaries began before the last Gulf War. So why war, and why now?
I have watched and read less than five minutes of pre war and war coverage. Two minutes were devoted to the obits of David Bloom and Michael Kelly, journalists I respected. Two came from seeing headlines or scanning past the news channels. And the last occurred when I gazed at a picture of Patricia Roberts grieving at the coffin of her son, Army Spc. Jamaal Rashard Addision, one of the first war casualties and an African-American.
My heart broke. Innocents are dying. And wherever your support lies, every casualty is somebody’s mama’s child, born innocent … until we got a hold of him or her.
So this war is personal and emotional, but right now, not for me. And I’ve been given all the speeches –
- You were in New York on 9-11, this fight is for you and those you lost. If you don’t support the war, you’re part of the problem.
- The non-rich, which is mostly people of color, are paying for this war with their lives. Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc. don’t care. They’re investment is economic bounty, for them and their friends. If you don’t oppose the war, you’re part of the problem.
- If we don’t do it now, we’ll regret it later. We have no choice. We have to take out Saddam and his terrorist friends. If you don’t support the war, you’re part of the problem.
- It’s Wag the Dog, I tell you, Wag the Dog. If you don’t oppose the war, you’re part of the problem.
Maybe that’s the problem.
I hear you. But it’s babble, babble, self-interest rhetoric, babble. And my interest will remain at less than zero unless (hopefully not until) it hits closer to home – the casualties climb, I personally know a casualty, or retaliation occurs on home soil. In other words, for right now it’s not a problem.
Maybe because I don’t want to feel. I’ve lost someone to war. I barely knew him. Had met him only once. But he was my cousin’s friend. He was here, and then was gone … a concept which still puzzles me lo these many years later.
Maybe I’m jaded on politics and politicians. “Trust in me and I’ll set you free.” Yeah, right. Our economy sucks. The world’s economy sucks. We’re interdependent on the largesse of the super powers. So with a future economic gain through increased Pentagon budgets and rebuilding Iraq, can I “truthfully” believe our motives for entering this war are solely altruistic? That these gains have never been nor will be considered or discussed? Furthermore when we win (it’s just a matter of when) public support should translate into increased faith in the stock market. More gains.
Maybe I don’t see the benefit to people of color, especially African Americans. For four wars we have proudly fought for rights we are still subtly and overtly denied. Here I must say sorry to some folks who argue “those people have done nothing to black folks, so why should we kill them.” Why, because nobody from over there told us coloreds over here to get out of or not go in the Twin Towers or the Pentagon on 9-11.
Maybe I’m just more concerned about what’s happening here – assaults on affirmative action and minority (a four letter word to be addressed in another column) only programs, black colleges losing accreditation, a Republican controlled Congress and White House (I prefer a balance in my separation of powers), layoffs (everybody knows somebody), more black men in jail than in college, continued under performing schools, etc. etc. Now let’s declare on war on some of that. And on a personal front … never mind.
Maybe I’m tired of bad news and prefer to put my eye on and bring some joy.
Maybe I’m just tired. Maybe you are too.
Now that’s a problem.
Maybe I’ve pissed you off or made you think.
That’s a problem I can live with.
Ain’t that a truth.
