Opinionating on the Election
Posted by StormWarning on 27 Jun 2008 at 05:32 am | Tagged as: Commentary, Opinions, Politics
Let us crystallize the issues facing the US as we approach this “election of a lifetime.” Live in peace and remember that at following the attacks of Sept. 11, we were once again united, many people from many walks of life at a moment of great dispair. Now, nearly 7 years later, regardless of whatever you may think of the War in Iraq, or the broader, Global War on Terrorism, our enemies mock us for being divided and for not understanding that their’s is a very long war. Without resolve (by us as a country and a people), there is reason to beware (the enemy does not bicker among themselves). They watch…they plan…they wait.
So what are the issues for this coming Presidential Election? [More later]
GWOT, Presidential election
Sure, the “enemy doesn’t bicker among themselves”. That’s why Iran and al Qaeda were in a very public spat over who caused 9/11. That’s why the Sunni insurgents in Anbar province turned on Al Qaeda in Iraq and became allies of the US. That’s why some al Qaeda sources said al Qaeda in Iraq wasn’t really associated with the larger al Qaeda.
Of course they bicker.
So do we.
We also engage in something called democracy and open elections of our leaders. Yes, it isn’t perfect. But I trust a loud debate any day over a totalitarian unified decision-making system.
And so did the Founding Fathers.
Paul, I almost responded without knowing who you were… I will temper my comments. The very obvious differences that are voiced in public, and yes, the very nature of our free and open democratic Republic are the very same messages that are repeated in the caves that embolden them. It is unavoidable, but reality.
I also have to comment that I didn’t expect anyone to actually respond to this “placeholder” post that I had intended to add more material to.
Storm,
I remember the time immediately “following the attacks of Sept. 11, we were once again united, many people from many walks of life at a moment of great dispair.” Shortly after, on the 12th or 13th, my town had a patriotic parade. All the Memorial Day flags were flown from the street lamps and people in cars and pick-ups drove up and down the main street honking their horns, yelling, and waving flags. They were united.
Maybe my wife Neve and I are wired differently than most people, but we had a feeling of dread on that night. We are not the type of people who are easily pulled into the herd - though we may want to be at times. We worried that the folks honking and screaming, while supportive of the US, didn’t really know what was going on. Our friends gave us dissapproving looks for not joining in the party atmosphere.
Now, almost 7 years later, I think I see where the dread was pointing. This unity that felt so good, this clarity of purpose and assertion of absolute right — was used. It morphed into fear and silence — fear of being branded as unpatriotic and silence instead of discussion.
I really do feel that many of the mistakes in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the larger War on Terror, flowed directly from ‘moment of unity’. The checks and balances were removed, and instead of the Nation moving as one great force, political factions and interests used the opportunity to further their own agenda - to the detriment of their political foes, to the detriment a war effort, and to the great detriment of the Nation.
So I worry when someone calls up this unity again - especially in a politial arena. I know that you have seen the mistakes we’ve made (declaring Afghanistan a victory as soon as the Taliban fell, not preparing for an insurgent response in Iraq, not focusing on resiliency of infrastructure and systems here in the US). I worry about our enemies be they al Qaeda or die-hard Baathists or Iranian-backed Shiite militias. But I worry more about the unthinking mob-mentality in the US. I truly believe that we pose more of a threat to ourselves that al-Qaeda ever could.
Sorry for the long rant. It probably belongs on my own blog.
Your perception is dead-on! The unity morphed into a feeling of dread that “some” people used to brand people who questioned as unpatriotic. Paul, I can’t agree more with what you’ve written.