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 11th, 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.
