Aquarian Weekly 12/30/09
REALITY CHECK

READERS RESPONSES

With so much sarcasm and cynicism, it's hard to address this seriously. (AFGHANISTAN: THE ORIGINAL QUAGMIRE -- Issue:10/7/09)

With phrases like "there will be American foreign military presence wasting our money and stealing our children to not "win" somewhere." and "War is nothing more than another in a spectacular line-up of wasteful, inefficient, badly orchestrated and overly funded government program." where does one begin?

The old "if we didn't fight wars we could spend it on xxxx for everyone" argument is about as sensible as saying "well, if I didn't have to buy a car every couple years, I wouldn't have to get such a demanding but well paying job."

Oh, and I almost chuckled at the "blatantly fascist" comment regarding the return of remains...

PitBull6

Your point is well taken, and I wholeheartedly agree, but for a few niggling details.

Executive Summary: D. D. Eisenhower was right, but like most who expose the problems with the industries in which they've spent their lives, we don't hear about until the exposer is on the way out.

It is my studied opinion that war is all about money. Period. Despite the volumes of commentary, which ranges from inspirational to boring, human beings simply will not risk life, limb, and or property unless they believe that their own life and/or livelihood are in clear and present danger.

So propaganda is the exception to the rule, but it must be convincing and persistent enough to cause and maintain sufficient fear. Loathing is optional.

Framing war as a government program only goes so far as the idea that only sovereign nations can declare, foment, fight, fund, and win or lose a war. Our own revolution is the prima facie example: We were terrorists in the eyes of the British Crown. We broke the rules of war which had been established as a gentlemanly pursuit--and we won with that strategy, born of desperation though it was. Consider also that we haven't waged war against another sovereign power since ... Viet Nam?

In "our" case (this land is your land, this land is ...), it's more of a government procurement program, driven by private interests, e.g., the Carlyle Group, BCCI, and other "gone legit" war profiteers who now offer Shareholder Value.

This is the most sacred entity and circumstance in these United States, particularly with the bolus of Boomers for whom the bell curve tolls. "Sure," he said, dabbing at the spilled margarita on his Hawaiian shirt, "war is wrong, but where the Hell else am I going to get the returns I need for my retirement?"

Regarding Afghanistan, see "Charlie Wilson's War". The Russians wasted almost ten years and untold monies mired there, and very likely sowed the seeds of their own demise. Charlie is quoted at the end of that excellent film as saying that we fucked up the endgame in Afghanistan. When it was all about war, the Congress was willing to spend billions to finance even a black eye for the USSR, but then wouldn't cough up even a million to rebuild infrastructure and establish schools.

We all know who stepped in to do that, now, don't we?

Wars last for as long as they're making money. Period. See also the "War On Drugs", which is an even fatter cash cow than any other war that "we" have ever fought.

I'm about two clicks from dropping off of the grid. I don't like how "our" taxes are being spent, and the rules are getting too tight for my middle-aged ass. I think I'll try the Northwest and do a little ... farming.

Brad Morrison

It is time for the President to listen to the people and come up with a planned withdrawal from Afghanistan. Poll after poll suggests where the majority of Americans stand and just this morning an extensive report was aired on DemocracyNow! with Amy Goodman. http://www.democracynow.org/ (Oct 7, 09) As usual, Mass Media only tells us part of the story and the in depth interviews on DN! give a clearer picture. With our economy in the tank the billions wasted on wars would be better spent at home, not halfway around the planet.

BusGreg

While I don't disagree with you, listening to the people is not an option for any U.S. president or Congress. That would mean we were a democracy which we are not. We are a Republic who elects gov't officials to make decisions for us. So how did this all come to be? It's actually in that lousy piece of paper as GW Bush put it - the U.S. Constitution. So we the people are "represented" by the politicians that lie to get elected and of course do something else than their campaign promises. So too appears to be the Obama admin which has yet to deliver on many of his promises of change we can beiieve in. I don't see the real change yet and those things he has started in motion, I still can't believe will work out. 3-rd party, a progresive party is desparately needed to counteract the far right thugs and the centrist Dems like Obama.

WellTickleMeWillie

Your writing is amazing. You always seem to make me think in a different way, and usually even give me a laugh. Thank you for all of that.

Emily
Charlotte, NC

Thank you so much for validating my minority opinion that "Crazy is crazy." (FORT HOOD'S SOCIOLOGICAL BACKLASH -- Issue: 11/18/09) foxnews.com had the banner yesterday "Hasan: Soldier of Allah" PLEASE. There have been more hurricanes lately...can we connect them to Al Qaeda?

jyoung

Dear James,

I only visited Texas a couple of times, which may be why I'm still alive. I do, however, have a story I've never forgotten.

My friends lived in a gated community just outside of Houston and smack up against a golf course. One night, as I was in my room preparing for dinner, I heard a girl SCREAMING and a dog barking furiously. Without a second thought, I flew downstairs and out of the house, and ran across the course to see if I could help. (The dog sensed her fear and was bullying her, but as soon as I approached he took off, so 'all's well that ends well.')

When I returned to my friends, I was told, "Paula, you do NOT do that here, EVER. You could've been shot down by any of the homeowners!" I was stunned, to say the least. Shot? For what reason? Going to the aid of a child...? Is Texas the Official Land of the Loonies?

Which is why "I'll take Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island too..."

Paula DeMarta Mastroianni

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