Caualties Of War
Image by AceFrenzy via Flick
It’s one thing to go to war against assailants unknown. Fighting bravely against the dark future defending your territories against what this perceived evil is almost sure to bring. The causualties of war, is a phrase used quite often, thrown about like a softball.
I was recently at the VA around my parts, sitting in a brightly lit waiting area. Above me a sign that simply read; “The Price of Freedom Can Be Seen Here”. It did stir quite a few emotions in me, even in my already rattled state. I was already a bit anxious being there, as my grandfather had died two years ago and this was the last place he was beforehand.
This is truly a heartbreaking place, the suffering of long over and mostly forgotten wars can be seen here as plain a day. The actual humans that have suffered. The actual people that have sacrificed.
There is a Marine Corps saying (although, it readily applies to any of the services): “America isn’t at war, America is at the mall. The Marine Corps are at war.” Honestly, that is about as truthful as you can get.
American patriotism ends mostly at yellow ribbons on the back of their cars. I refuse to support this war. At all. Yes, I come from one of “those” families. I have had family in every single war for the last few decades. Up to and including this one. This War on Terrorism. I believe that this “War” is a farcical adventure into what can simply be perceived as either the greatest insult to “American Patriotism” ever, or a delusional battle for God. Honestly, take your pick. The president was quotes as saying this is a war for God. I seriously doubt anyone’s “God” wants people slaughters and families ruined. Then again I am not a person of faith, so I suppose I cannot speak too much on that subject.
God told me to strike at al Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did, and now I am determined to solve the problem in the Middle East. If you help me I will act, and if not, the elections will come and I will have to focus on them.
– George W Bush, according to Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, from minutes acquired by Haaretz from cease-fire negotiations between Abbas and faction leaders from the Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular and Democratic Fronts (circa June, 2003), quoted from Arnon Regular, “‘Road map is a life saver for us,’ PM Abbas tells Hamas” (Haaretz.com:June 27, 2003), quoted from EvilOz (The Iterative Record)
From Here (It’s sourced above). To be frank I find this whole mess disturbing beyond words. In other times we had a much more tangible threat to face down. People we’re being killed in mass amounts. Now, our fears are merely being capitalized upon. Fears are dredged up with alarming precision and it’s a constant barrage we are facing. All for unseen threats.
The war in Iraq has no purpose.
Iraq didn’t attack us. Yet, we attacked them.
What is a patriot? A true American patriot defends their homeland against horrors. Against tyranny, and against the leveling of the constitution. A true American patriot protests, and uses the tools at our disposal to fix the wrongs we see.
Patriotism is NOT a bumper sticker.
Patriotism IS writing the wrongs we see. Taking pride (I know, I know, hard at the moment) in your country enough to try to help and fix what you see.
