As We Dangle On The Precipice Of War.
Do we indeed remember the stench Viet Nam left in our nostrils?

Rodney's Painted Pen Commentary

As We Dangle on the Precipice of War.

Yes, as we teeter upon the precipice of war this day, I am drawn to ask this question, have we forgotten indeed the stench that the Viet Nam war scuffle left lingering in the nostrils of mankind?
Geez, what's up with these buffoons so seemingly eager to race off to war across the globe, at the expense of our son's and daughter's blood drenching the banner.
No, I seldom disrespect the office of Presidency nor the man with such tags as buffoon, for I believe in upholding and supporting our leaders, but hey, these lads must begin to hear the roar of the people! Would it make a difference I ask? I trow not, for I have indeed thought for years foolish, this idea and notion we embrace, being this, that we actually are the voice steering the course of this nation, I is both ludicrous and false in my estimation and judgment. No, think not for one moment that your cherished and sacred vote you cast, has any bearing upon the course this nation shall take! For it has always remained in the hands of the politicians and power brokers of the world, and frankly I don't think they give one hoot or damn about what we think about this sordid Iraq expedition.
No, the voices in mass protest could be heard ringing around the globe in the sixties, did our cry bear fruit I ask? Finally yes, but not after thousands of our son's returned home in body bags, and maimed forevermore in body, mind and spirit.
No, I think war not a natural thing at all for man to experience and embrace, yet we have throughout history practiced it a plenty have we not?
Nevertheless, the toll that warfare wages against the minds and spirits of those it holds involuntarily in its clutches, shall never be known to most I fear, for it remains a dark, unnatural and sordid demonic practice and experience!
Good Lord folks, I cannot believe we are going to do this barbaric thing! I say we, how about THEM rather? I remain a simple man I fear, yes one who didn't vote for years, being disenchanted with this notion that my vote didn't count, well actually I feel somewhat the same this day. No folks, they hear us not! For if they did, this atrocity unfolding would be stopped in its tracks!
No, you cant tell me for one minute that the MAJORITY of Americans embrace this venture as expeditious nor bearing merit, yet our cry falls upon deaf ears. As I have stated before and shall reiterate for those who find me a namby pamby voice of sissy and passive, I alert you to this personal fact, I am neither naturally passive nor sissified in my response to aggression of any kind that represents a valid threat! I would be among the first to bear arms and lay down my life if I felt our liberty were truly under siege. I however over the fifty-two years that I have rambled about in time, have learned by desire of heart, in my attempt to become more civil and humane, to not let my most primitive and base instinct and emotions rule and reign in my life.
For those of you who perhaps find me inept in my simplistic philosophy, let me further expound by stating, that I am not necessarily stating that I find not the Sadaams of the world a menacing force and possible threat to Democracy and world liberty, Yet geez, in the name of liberty do we have indeed the inherent right to stomp under foot all who appear to SEEMINGLY be a threat to us! Does not such conduct violate the very principles and premise upon which our grand country was established? Do not others have the right to propagate whatever belief system they are taken with and currently given to in passion? Just as we feel we are correct and morally based for cramming Democracy down the rest of the worlds throat!
Oh yes some are screaming now! Hey if you don't think its true ask the rest of the world! Listen folks, do you not think it time we reverently examined the reason why the rest of the entire global community loathes us?
Hey, you cannot club the world by force into a Democracy, it goes against the grain and underpinning of the whole concept. When do we know as a nation know when it is time to aid the cause of democratic effort across the globe? When the people ask for our help, that's when! Has not most government change throughout history been ignited internally by the people first and foremost? Does not the people in revolt paint the perhaps need for assistance? Is not the bell tolled to the rest of the global community, ignited by the people revolting in a myriad of ways? I say when we see a sincere people stating their unhappiness with a cruel regime, accented in obvious dissent and revolt unwrapping, that this is a good indication for considering aiding a people in a differing region of the world.
Should we not hear the cry of that people first? Should not the unrest be obvious, spilling over into the streets? I say this today for your consideration and perusal of mind. If the mass populous of a people representing a country, are not crying for our help, and apparent unrest is not unraveling in the street, and no major news of discontentment leaks out, well then..... perhaps the people are not unhappy afterall! At least not unhappy enough to even orally protest and lodge their cry and dissenting opinion. This question was asked and pondered often during the Viet Nam conflict, did the people of that nation want us there? Do the people of Iraq I wonder this day?
Hmmm, why does the word imperialistic keep jumping and leaping to mind?
I have had my say, feel free to have yours!
Peace,
Rodney Evan Bohen, author of "Letters to Carla"
http://www.rodneybohen.com