 |
By Mary Addi
March 13, 2003 - As the quarter comes to a close, so do my studies at UC Davis. And so, it is time for me to move on, making this my final column.
Over the past six months, I have covered many issues. But the one topic that has not been adequately addressed, and still needs to be, is our country's current state of affairs. And specifically, the impending war with Iraq.
As the United Nations' Mar. 17 deadline draws near, and the clear-cut threat of war hovers over the nation like a bad dream, I have to wonder what fate faces our soldiers — our families — and our country.
Likewise, what happens to the families in Iraq, who just happened — by some twist of fate — to be born into the hands of Saddam Hussein? Do innocent children and their families deserve to be sacrificed simply because they happen to be caught in the crosshairs of political oil wars?
But more than that, I question how and when the United States of America — the world's greatest country — evolved into the world's greatest bully. The United States is no longer known as the world's "great protector," but has become instead, the world's biggest and toughest "playground bully."
I know, those are fighting words. Americans don't like to admit that our country may not be the model of perfection that it pretends to be. It's easier for us to look away, to ignore the harsh realities of "our" faults and, instead, look for the "other guy's" deficiencies. Instead of taking care of business here, our politicians ferret out world troubles like a pig sniffing around for truffles.
But the fact is, the world has grown weary of the United States' constant meddling whenever our government decides to "help out." We have become the "Betty Ford Clinic" of the world, perpetually "intervening" and "rehabilitating" every "oppressed" country that comes down the pike.
Our President and politicians have sent at least 500,000 of our troops over to the Middle East to essentially eliminate one guy — Saddam Hussein. So while President Bush is busy shipping our troops over there, the Koreans are "playing chicken" with us over their nuclear disarmament. Looks to me like someone better start guarding the henhouse over there.
And on your way, take a side trip over to Iran. It appears they're getting ready to have a nuclear "coming out" party of their own.
There's been an awful lot of talk about "weapons of mass destruction" lately. Frankly, that's all that the President and politicians seem to be talking about these days. But someone tell me how weapons of mass destruction are so more uniquely different than any of the old war weapons. Dead is dead. And how you get there is of no consequence when killing is the ultimate goal.
Last week, President Bush stood before the nation and, once again, told us how it was his "duty" to protect us. It didn't matter that one by one the news reporters told him that the citizens of the United States, along with most of the world, do not want to go to war with Iraq.
The President is pretty stubborn. He wants Iraq's oil, he wants Saddam, and he wants them both at any cost — even if it means the senseless killing of our young men and women in the process.
Maybe President Bush should stop using the word "troops" and put some names behind the apparently "anonymous" faces of our soldiers. In doing so, he might remember that our "troops" are real people — someone's child, father, mother, sister or brother — and not just some generic term to be used in press releases.
Our soldiers are the brave Americans. They are the ones willing to fight for our freedom, often at the high cost of their own lives. So if our President and politicians are going to use them as pawns in their "pissing" match against Saddam Hussein, then at least give them their due respect.
And don't pretend that they have been sent halfway around the world to preserve our freedom, because simply — it isn't true.
Reserve soldiers as old as 55 have been called to active duty. My only son is potentially a draft candidate. And in four short years, my two grandsons will be of draft age. Like so many wars in the past, everyone seems to be fair game. Call me selfish, but I'm not willing to "offer up" my family for oil. I'm kind of funny that way.
The Vietnam War dragged on for 20 long years. How many years and lives will an Iraqi war steal from us? You do the math this time. I lost count after Vietnam.
So when my fellow Americans are critical of those who question the President's motives and actions — labeling the dissenters "unpatriotic," I have to wonder how it is that they, the "patriots," have become so complacent, so accepting of our government's blatant disregard for our opinions — and our rights.
The plain truth, Mr. President, is that you are not "protecting" your citizens when you refuse to acknowledge them as such. At your inauguration, you promised to uphold the Constitution — the will of the people, and that, sir, you have not done.
This column is lovingly dedicated to Louis, a kind and gentle man, who left this world to find peace in another.
The California Aggie
March 13, 2003
The End
|
|
|
