The unacknowledged war

Perhaps we need to reexamine our definition of what constitutes war. Deaths from gun-related violence in this country from 1989 through the end of last year outnumber all the U.S. military deaths from wars that this country has been involved in since its founding. Does that not sound as if we are engaged in a war within the borders of this country? Moreover, this is a war that is waged in large part against unarmed women and children. 

I wonder if there is anything that could be done to stop this war.

Ready for another war?

The drumbeat on the right has been increasing in volume for months now. The same people who talked up the unnecessary war in Iraq that has killed and maimed thousands of people, many of them Americans, are now panting to start such a war in Iran.

What is it about these people anyway? Why is their only way of dealing with the world to start a war? Iran is no threat to us. Even if they had a nuclear capability, they would be no threat to us. Furthermore, they have more than enough problems to deal with in their society. Why should they be looking for another one?

In fact, as far as I can tell from my reading, Iran is not looking for a war with anybody, least of all the United States, no matter what the right-wingers here and in Israel may be saying. The United Nations sanctions against the country seem to be working. Why would we not simply continue those and seek diplomatic solutions to any problems or disputes? Why would we want to jump in and kill thousands of innocent Iranians as we killed thousands of innocent Iraqis? And why would we want to put our own military service people in harm's way when there is no pressing need for it?

In the world that I grew up in, war was considered to be the very last alternative. Today, in the world of the neocons, it seems to be the first choice as a solution to any international problem. They seem to think that war is just like a video game and they crave the excitement of it. Of course, if war should come, you can bet your last dollar that the neocons won't be going to it and neither will their children. No, they'll still be here on the home front beating their war drums.

Fortunately, it seems that President Obama isn't intimidated by their drum and chest beating. As he told AIPAC (one of the chief sources of militaristic fervor) in his speech yesterday:

Already, there is too much loose talk of war.  Over the last few weeks, such talk has only benefited the Iranian government, by driving up the price of oil, which they depend on to fund their nuclear program.  For the sake of Israel's security, America's security, and the peace and security of the world, now is not the time for bluster.  Now is the time to let our increased pressure sink in, and to sustain the broad international coalition we have built.  Now is the time to heed the timeless advice from Teddy Roosevelt:  Speak softly; carry a big stick. 

Let's hope that he has the courage and good sense to continue to stand firmly by TR's admonition.

An unnecessary war ends

The government is today marking the official end of the Iraqi war. The unnecessary war. The war built on a lie and the swaggering hubris of a small group of small men who had never been to war and had no appreciation or understanding of its costs. In this case, the costs were thousands, perhaps more than a million, dead and many thousands more maimed. Lives ruined that can never be recalled or repaired. A country torn down to build up the egos of those small, swaggering men.

And through it all, the men who fomented that war could never even give the country they were destroying the respect of calling it by its correct name. To them the country would always be "eye-rack." They taught a generation of young Americans to call the country - the correct name of which is "ear-rock" - by this spurious, insulting name. It's only one example but it bespeaks the attitude of these despicable chickenhawks, and gives an indication of why many people in that part of the world hate the United States. Language matters, and, whatever else his faults and weaknesses may be, I'm happy that we have a president who understands that and gives peoples and cultures the respect to which they are entitled.

It's easy enough to start a war if you are determined to do so. It is not so easy to stop it. This one dragged on for more than eight years before a different kind of president - a non-swaggerer, non-boaster - was able to stop it, not with a tall, gaudy banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished!" but with quiet ceremonies thanking and honoring the lives of those who have served.

There's still that other war that drags on. Afghanistan. It was a necessary war in the beginning, but now it has dragged on beyond all reason. The longest war this country has ever fought. There is a plan in place for ending it as well, but even if that timetable is sped up, it can't be soon enough. The time to end it was yesterday. Last year. Five years ago.

Nevertheless, today one war ended and American troops are being pulled from the field and sent home or to other posts. One unnecessary war has ended. That is cause for rejoicing.

Black Monday

Well, I guess I won't be looking at my 401k for awhile.  Wouldn't want to depress myself even further by knowing exactly how poor I've suddenly become.  Not that it was unexpected, of course.  After the debacle of recent weeks, financial markets all over the world were already collapsing in panic.  We probably haven't seen the end of it yet.

And still our spineless and clueless politicians refuse to do anything positive to actually turn the situation around.  They are in an endless cycle of name-calling and blaming each other.  The Republicans' sole aim now is to defeat Barack Obama next year and if the economy of the country has to be destroyed to do that, well then, that is acceptable collateral damage.  The Democrats, on the other hand, as led by Obama, still seem deluded that bi-partisanship and working together to solve problems is actually possible.  When your opponent has no other goal than your total destruction, it isn't.

Meanwhile, back here in Texas, where a nearly year-long drought continues, triple digit temperatures are expected all week long and no rain is in sight.  Plants everywhere are being burned to a crisp.  Trees are dying because they can't find enough water to survive.  Farmers and ranchers are looking at a disaster of biblical - yes, Rick Perry, biblical! - proportions.  It is enough to make one wonder if perhaps God is not really, really angry with Texas and with Perry.  Maybe it has something to do with that "I was hungry and you didn't feed me, I was naked and you didn't clothe me, etc." thing.  Texas is just about the most cold-hearted, niggardly state in the Union when it comes to caring for its poor, sick, and needy citizens.  Somehow I doubt that God approves of that.

As if that weren't enough, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to grind on, taking the lives of so many young Americans - smart and brave young Americans whom our society sorely needs - not to mention all the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

Black Monday, indeed.  I wish that I could say that I see light at the end of the tunnel, but today I see only more blackness.