A Very Different War

While the whippets are at war with a certain kitty, I'm going to post something very personal.

At dinner parties, at the coffee house, and amongst friends I have long been wondering how our current President and Vice President have been operating above the law. Or way below it, depending on one's perspective. I believe that the lingering and deserved embarrassment over the impeachment proceedings against Clinton for having an extra marital affair has prevented this impotent Congress from taking the action that is clearly indicated. This administration has repeatedly broken the law, getting away with torture, murder, and crimes against American citizens. And benefiting financially. Big time.

Please read Senator McGovern's Washington Post editorial. Even if you are the staunchest Republican. Senator McGovern takes the Democrats to task as well, citing "a lack of courage and statesmanship on the part of too many Democratic politicians." I wish we could bring about the end of the two party system, because apathetic Americans, needing no excuse not to pay attention, simply support our "team" giving no thought whatsoever as to what our "team" is doing.

In these days of email, it wouldn't even cost us a stamp or an envelope to contact our Senator to let them know how we feel. And while we're at it we can send a copy to our Representative. Because supposedly they are making the big bucks in Washington to represent us. Not corporations or lobbies or special interests. Us. Ha. We are much more interested in American Idol and football and playing with our dogs because our lives are good and we are comfortable.

Things got a little personal this week. My husband lost a friend in Iraq. He wrote about it on his blog. Bill is a wise and generous man. He was deeply hurt by this loss, and his reaction was anger that the burden of this war is only being felt by the military and their families. Those of us who are supporting this war simply by being citizens of this country are not being asked to sacrifice a thing. We bitch when gas goes over $3.00 and we buy $2.00 magnets that say "support the troops." And stand idly by while Halliburton makes record profits. And more profits. And more profits. And we, ordinary Americans who have no involvement in the military, we sacrifice nothing. This is what made my good husband angry.

But, watching my good husband crying over his loss, I got mad. I got mad at the lies. I got mad at the profiteering at the cost of 4000 American lives, and somewhere between 151,000 and 600,000 Iraqi men, women, and children. Men, women, and children who never attacked our country. Who had nothing to do with our World Trade Center. Whose country was not hiding weapons of mass destruction. These were only fabrications which our leadership used, and we know this, and we let them continue, knowing that they lied. Because we're lazy and complacent and because there is no ethical leadership in Washington. And that's fine with us.

Some of us trust this President because he says he's a Christian. A Christian who loved the fun of alcohol and cocaine. Oh that was before he was saved, OK. So after he was saved, he was the Governor who was intimately linked to and benefited hugely from his relationship with Enron. And after he was saved, he personally approved the killing of 152 sinners. Statistics show that 7% of prisoners on death row are there wrongfully. But this saved Christian signed off on the killing of 152 people. Some of them who themselves claimed to have been saved. Some of whom were retarded. I've studied the words of Jesus Christ and nowhere, nowhere can I find where He says to kill the worst sinners among us. Can't find it. And then there are all those innocent civilians in Iraq. Yah. He's a Christian.

So I'm mad that our military, our soldiers who are willing to risk and give their lives to protect this country, who do what they are told, have been used by this evil administration. And I'm mad that our legislators in Washington are such political whores incapable of ethical leadership. I'm mad that we sit and watch our TV's and don't care. And I'm mad at myself for being guiltiest of all.

Today I'm going to write my elected officials. Bill's friend David is still dead. David's father is still without his son, of whom he was so justifiably proud. David's wife is still a widow. David's friend Richard is still in harm's way, mourning the loss of his friend. But today, by God, I am going to write my elected officials.