Stay The Course? What Course?

Doesn't "Stay The Course" invoke images of resolve, strength, and intent? Shouldn't we be thinking - "Yeah, we're strong enough to see this through and we don't run from a fight." ?

America really does WANT to stay the course, but we need to actually HAVE a course if we're going to stay it. We're the ones who threw open the saloon doors, hitched up our belts and flashed our guns, sidled up to the bar and slapped the old man called Afghanistan in the face. We cleaned up his act then asked if anyone else wanted some of that action. No one volunteered so we found Iraq cowering in the corner and started in on him. Now, everyone in the bar knew that Afghan-man was a bad guy and the town was better off without his noise. Yes, sir, the whole town was on board with that. However, since we still had rounds in the chamber we were still itching to fight. We didn't have the patience to indict the little man, but what the heck, he was a bad guy once before, what's changed.

Okay, enough of the silly analogy. What I'm getting at is that we, as a nation, aren't running from the very real and very necessary fight against terrorism. What we do need is a plan with courses of action and an anticipated end state. We can no longer just plunge headlong into the breach without some sort of realistic plan, based in the real world, and a timeline to accomplish it. It's not time to cut and run. It is time to think, logic, reason, and maybe even listen from time to time. Here's my plan. Turn Iraq over to the corrupt Iraqi government, its corrupt police force, its corrupt legal system, and its corrupt military. If the insurgents really just want "the occupiers to leave," then the liberals will finally see that sectarian violence is indeed sectarian, but it's not an American issue. If Arabs want to keep killing each other, well, have at it. Our work is done and Iraq needs to stand on its own, right now.


If I Only Had A Brain

Kenneth Lay - Abatement? Why?

Kenneth Lay keeps sticking it to Enron's investors, even from beyond the grave.

Today's article in the Washington Post has me more worried than ever that this great nation of ours has completely slipped beyond the control of its citizenry. Henry David Thoreau had it right over 150 years ago when he worried that government was losing sight of the fact that it serves at the pleasure of the people, and the people were losing their control over this monster that we had created. Case in point...

A federal judge in Houston revoked the fraud and conspiracy convictions of Kenneth Lay (yes, of Enron fame), who died of heart disease in July. The government was attempting to seize $44 million from the "Lay" estate (hopefully for repatriation of the investors, though that's probably overly optimistic), however, this latest invocation of precedent has stalled that effort. It seems that abatement allows for the vacation of a conviction if defendants die before they are able to exercise their right to appeal. Courts can rule that defendants' constitutional rights to challenge their convictions outweigh other considerations and "the law hesitates to punish the dead," according to some unnamed analyst. However, the punishment, albeit undeserved, for those living souls who suffered from Lay's crimes, well, we're just going to go right on punishing them.

Here's where American citizens need rise up and confront this BEAST that we've created (and allowed to consume everything in its path until it was too large for the chain we posted out in front of the house). Why in the world are we more concerned about the rights of a dead guy than we are about doing "the right thing" for the living? This man ruined lives with his criminal greed and pursuit of cash, all at the expense of the common investor. Now that he's dead, and may the soul rest in peace (if that's what you believe in), he doesn't require the right to appeal. Toss out the stupid rule and find in favor of the victims of his crimes.

America is crumbling from within, and we're watching it happen. It's like a train bearing down on us, we see the tracks are missing, and know the trail will derail, but we're simply not doing anything about it. I know this Kenneth Lay story doesn't spell the demise of Western Civilization; but it sure does flip another straw on that camel's back, doesn't it?


If I Only Had A Brain

Convert to Islam - It's the Only Way (to Live)

Al-Qaida's al-Zawahiri and an American issue a video...

Today's (9/3/06) AP article reports on the latest Al-Qa'ida video sponsored by Ayman al-Zawahiri and featuring the American Adam Yahiya Ghadan. Now, I am certainly not against anyone's right to his/her opinion, beliefs, religion, or affiliation. I am, however, against anyone who exercises those rights to the detriment or harm of others. If you want to espouse certain ideals and do no more harm than draw attention to your own ignorance, more power to you. But, when you make ridiculous claims that cause injury or harm to other humans, you're accountable for those actions (for example, when a certain news outlet prints claims that U.S. servicemen defiled a Qur'an, a story that directly resulted in the death of dozens in protests, accountability is due).

But now the claim rises from the leftist ashes that Adam is simply proffering an invitation to Westerners (read: Americans) to convert to Islam. It is, after all, the only truth. Furthermore, Adam's message directed to U.S. Soldiers (all services inferred) is one inviting mutiny and desertion since they're fighting an unjust war at the urging of a warmonger who has sent them into the breach on a crusade.

The fanatical American liberal undoubtedly welcomes this latest "revelation" and fully understands the depth of compassion and logic of Adam's statements. Of course, any attack on the current administration stokes the fires and passions of the ignorant far left. Never mind that Adam makes comments like, "no Muslim should shed tears for Westerners killed by al-Qaida attacks." What's more, why is it acceptable that Muslims kill to spread their beliefs but Americans are labeled as killers on a crusade?

Adam, aka Azzam the American among Islamic circles (as it is clearly a victory for Al-Qa'ida to sport an American fanatic - like they're difficult to find?), condemns all Christians and Jews (among others) to Hell for their crime of not being Muslim. He states, "It is time for the unbelievers to discard these incoherent and illogical beliefs. Isn’t it the time for the Christians, Jews, Buddhists and atheists to cast off the cloak of the spiritual darkness which enshrouds them and emerge into the light of Islam?" Now, on the surface this is just another zealot, or perhaps a true believer, championing his cause. Captain McLefty would label this just another American freedom. However, once Lefty engages his/her G0d given ability to think and reason (Did he just say God granted us something? Get your God off my politics! But I digress, sorry Lefty.) he/she would make the connection between "conversion" to Islam and Adam's previous statement about no Muslim shedding a tear for Westerners killed by Al-Qa'ida. Granted, I don't sport the intellect of the Left (or the far Right for that matter) so I'll have to wait for someone smarter than I to educate me (or to feed me my opinion). Someone needs to help me form my opinion about the true religion being the one that champions the murder of the others. Good call, Adam.

Now, on to the Right. Adam provided further fodder for the grist mill of the hackneyed rationalization for warfare, homeland security, invasions of privacy, watch lists, and generalizations. There is a very real threat from extremists worldwide, and this is a conflict from which we can not hide, but one must admit that we're not doing a bang-up job of it at the moment. Waging a war in Iraq is certainly keeping Islamic terrorists busy and unable to plan and execute actions in the United States, however, it's tough to see an eventual "end" to the conflict on Iraqi soil. It's time for a change of mission and some sort of plan for the future (not tomorrow).

And here is where I cast off the stench of the Far Left - after finding fault I would offer a solution or a course of action. Furthermore, I would attempt to see the issue from both perspectives and, without being pigeon-holed into the middle of the road, here's the way I see it:

This problem is not going to go away. Iran is rising in Middle Eastern prominence and it certainly instigated, armed, and supported Hizballah in their battle with Israel. Syria sits quietly behind the scenes and supports anything that may lead to harm against or the destruction of Israel. But is this terrorism? It's probably better to give terrorism a broader definition than a limited one. Is it a far leap of logic to assume a governmental objective of "the destruction of Israel" as a terrorist perspective? If not, we're mired in semantics and losing our ability to reason.

Terrorism is very real, alive and kicking (shooting, blowing themselves up to kill others, trying to crash airplanes, setting young men and women off on missions of murder and suicide - pick your poison), and here for the long haul. Turning away from it and closing our eyes is not going to make it go away. It must be faced, dealt with, and defeated. However, we are not going to win this peace through superior firepower. Terrorist acts are the symptoms of an underlying malady. Dialogue, diplomacy, and understanding may help to define that disease; however, I am not optimistic that identifying the illness affecting the roots is going to cure the tree. It is going to take a protracted search to identify the harmful roots, destroy them, and nurture the remainder back to health. That said, it is not for us to simply hack away at roots and hope we get the bad ones without regard for the cost to us all.

All of us must adopt an attitude of compromise, tolerance, and moderation if we're going to coexist on this ever-shrinking planet. The information age has drawn us all closer together and put us in more immediate and more in-depth contact with one another, wanted or not. The world has to come together (America included), not drift apart into little fragments like spoiled brats fighting over the schoolyard. We must coexist, or die trying. There is no simple solution, of course, since some of these nations/groups/sects do not work and play well with others. However, the greater world community needs stand as one and adopt an attitude of cooperation and moderation, despite disparate beliefs at the personal level.



If I Only Had A Brain

If I Only Had A Brain

The War Against Terrorism, and Against Ourselves

Why do we feel compelled to force democracy upon as many civilizations and cultures as we possibly can? Or is our notion of delivering democracy self-serving in that we selectively choose to deliver our way of life to locations that serve our interests?

The issue is never going to be presented in ink that reads clearly black-and-white, as, screaming and kicking, the liberal left wants to scribe this chapter. Nor is the matter going to be as cleanly defined under a banner of protection of life, liberty, and democracy as the conservative right would have us accept as fact. Somewhere in the gray and murky middle lies the truth of this matter, and therein lies that very elusive understanding, an understanding that demands logic, reason, compromise, acceptance, understanding, compassion, a release of preconceived notions, and a surrender of emotional and political battle lines. This is no easy task, of course, and only those with the will to open their minds to reason will find the muddled middle ground where I live. Please consider the following:

First, I would ask that the images from the attacks of September 11^th, 2001, remain foremost in one’s mind’s eye as we consider the course we are compelled to pursue, or the course that we are being force-fed, depending upon one’s opinion. I suggest no altruistic perspective nor am I inclined to dig up justification for declaration of a so-called War Against Terrorism. I ask that one keep the world in logical perspective, or as close as one can get to logic in this day and age. Consider the simplicity of this statement: An organized group of religious extremists orchestrated the flight of three passenger aircraft, loaded with innocent and unsuspecting civilians, into two towers in New York City and into the Pentagon, killing thousands. More would have died but for the unknown actions aboard a civil aircraft that crashed into the Pennsylvania countryside.

Second, how irresponsible is it to blame the United States of America for these attacks on its citizenry? No disgust for a nation’s foreign policy, anger with the freedoms afforded its people, its permitted diversity of religious beliefs, or distaste for capitalist society is justification enough to randomly murder its citizens. One need not agree or support U.S. policies or politics to see that the avenue of expression chosen by extremist Moslems is abhorrent.

Third, the hard-charging liberal is now ranting about the murder of innocent civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hands of war-mongering U.S. forces. I would submit this perspective – if you have not carried a weapon into harm’s way with your brothers- and sisters-in-arms, felt the weight of incoming fire and the terror of seeing a friend die beside you, turned a corner in a dark building knowing that you may not walk again, or borne the weight of 60 pounds of equipment with body armor and weapons in 135 degree heat for eight hours, then your perspective isn’t valid here. I am truly sorry, but it really is that simple. Soldier, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who have carried that weight for each other will never, and I emphasize the never, turn their backs on their brothers and sisters for political gain. That is not to suggest than any Soldier will stand silent in the face of crimes committed in hostile regions. On the contrary, true Soldiers (and allow the term to represent all of our armed services) are almost exclusively humanitarian, whether you accept that perspective or not. Soldiers are trained for one purpose – to fight and win the nation’s wars. They are very good at that task. However, that task does not limit a Soldier to gunfire and missiles. The American Soldier is a combat specialist, a fighter, a rescuer, a medic, a humanitarian, an emissary, an ambassador, and a friend. Yes, I hear the charges of abuse, of “accidental” deaths, of innocent deaths in compound strikes, and of 18-year-old Marines charged with negligence in urban combat. Step into the shoes of a Soldier for just a moment and try to capture the mindset required to step into a building where there are extremists firing at you and your team. Combat is not clean. There is never time for judicial or legal review when a young sergeant is leading his team into a firefight. You can always call a better play after you see the results of the last set of downs. Making that call at the line of scrimmage is the true test of a Soldier.

Fourth, the ultra-conservative is now standing atop the hill waving his colors and cheering on the fight. It’s easy to cheer the fight for freedom, liberty, democracy, and justice from the security of the American homeland. Please know that Soldiers do not fight for all of these higher principles or notions of the greater good. We fight for each other, for the grunt or jarhead standing at your side, weapons pointed downrange together, and chests heaving against the anticipation of what may lie around the next corner. We are far-removed from the fight for democracy and liberty, though the colors of our common brotherhood are always borne in our hearts and minds. The colors that are often burned in the streets of our very nation, they bring tears to our eyes and fire to our hearts. These colors solidify us and make us one, a commonality among extremely diverse people. However, just as important as the stars and bars is the camouflage pattern that strips our visual individuality and issues us a level field of trust and commitment to each other. Please don’t trivialize the notion of Soldiering by assuming that we are bound to each other by clothing and cloth.

Fifth, back to the security of the American homeland. It wasn’t all that secure just over four years ago, was it? There is something to be said for taking the fight to the enemy instead of waiting for him to hit you again, and again, and again. And to suggest that this enemy will not continue to attack and kill us is naïve and irresponsible. Terrorists are dying every day. However, these terrorists are also killing innocent civilians every day. Are we to sit back and allow it to continue? Do you genuinely believe that the thousands killed in September 2001 was an aberration? If so, you are right to speak out against a War Against Terrorism. Also, I am of the considered opinion that you should try thinking with an open mind and stop being force fed your opinions from those who stand in hatred of our nation. I would never ask anyone to accept my opinion; however, I would ask that you consider my opinion and start thinking for yourself. Spewing the hatred and negativity of another ill-informed, self-proclaimed intellectual is both dangerous and ignorant.

Sixth, the good being done by our military men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, while never good enough news to be broadcast by the U.S. mass-media machine, is manifest in the visible and tangible progress of the citizens of these nations. Rebuilding a nation following 35 years of tyrannical oppression, murderous abuses, and criminal neglect is a task of years, not months. Think back, assuming you have the capacity and willingness to do so, to the rebuilding of Europe and Japan in the 1940’s. Americans were much less critical of their own kind in the 40’s, of course, but the course of rebuilding took many years. America tends to have a history of tearing a nation down militarily, then stupidly sticking around to build it back up before it leaves. Yes, these terribly oppressive and self-serving Americans… how dare they!

Seventh, let us address the issue of American men and women, service members and civilians, dying in a faraway land for no apparent reason. Yes, I’ve heard it all before. Again, the mission of the U.S. military is to fight and win the nation’s wars. We do that well. Please note that there is no draft, at the present time. This is an all-volunteer military. There are benefits offered to military personnel which, from the outside looking in, seem quite attractive. The military will repay college loans, provide the GI Bill for continuing education, provide free medical and dental care for Soldiers and their families, and offer enlistment and reenlistment bonuses. The pay for a Soldier, while always a cause for concern among its serving members, is better than that for most civilized nations with a professional military. However, the apparent and unhidden impetus for these incentives is the very real possibility of exposure to risk. The same holds true for all of those very innocent civilian contractors who are chasing the mighty dollars being offered for positions in Iraq. The reason for the incredibly high income is the associated risk. If you don’t want to take the risk, don’t volunteer to serve, military or civilian. And don’t go crying liberal foul by saying that the military service is a social welfare system for inner city children who have no other options and are being killed at inordinately high rates as compared to their privileged peers. Today’s military, despite the nay saying and doomsday prophets, is highly professional, well-educated, and very mature. Believe it or not, many serve out of a sense of responsibility and pride. It’s hard to accept that as fact if you don’t bear the character to understand it.

Finally, are the answers herein proffered? Of course they are not. I offer a perspective and an opportunity to open your mind and let in some light from a different or new direction. Perhaps it will illuminate a corner of your consciousness that you haven’t visited recently. Perhaps it will not. But either way, I am indebted to you for taking the time to consider the opinions and perspective of an old Soldier who still stands on the line for you, and for them.

If I Only Had A Brain

Think For Yourself... Please.

This Blog is for those of you out there with the ability to independently think and reason. It is NOT, however, going to prove popular among those of you who form your opinions based upon threads in emails or yarns on television. If you want someone else to do your thinking for you there are numerous sources for this. Here, however, I welcome all comments and suggestions, as long as they're not formed of hate speak. I don't mind anyone finding fault with the things we may see or hear; however, finding fault without offering a reasonable suggestion or solution is spiteful and wholly counter productive. I'd thank you to deposit that rubbish elsewhere, here for example - http://thewideawakes.org/. However, not to be outdone by the right, here's a complete idiot on the left - http://iscrewrepublicans.blogspot.com/.

Okay, enough with the introduction and the stark evidence of Americans acting like the raving lunatics we're accused of being. Let's begin with the assumption that we have all been granted the ability to think and a capacity for logic. Now, what shall we do with these rusting skills?

If I Only Had A Brain

If I Only Had A Brain