Okay, I haven't been editing my site like I previously was doing. Time flies when you are trying to manage eighty billion different projects successfully. Whew!
The online blog I am currently contributing pieces to has been really patient with me. I'm not contributing as frequently as I think they would like me to be doing. But I am trying the best I possibly can.
Given the fact we invaded another country in the name of imperialism, it is not shocking the actual reception to and global perception of Americans has been less than stellar. No doubt Saddam was a cruel ruler, many of the same charges which arose from the Bush administration could also be leveled against themselves (this was the thing after all, who as Governor of Texas, enjoyed mocking inmates on death row!). The mounting casualities since (ironically) fighting was officially declared 'over' indicates that we are not wanted in Iraq, and a majority of the Iraqi people viewed our attempts at provisional governance with more than justified suspicion they will end up being a 21st century American colony for U.S oil needs.
We harm ourselves more by trying to stay in the region. This feeds anti-American suspicions that we only like to talk about democracy but will never let other countries pratice it. We are going to continue to kill our own troops just for the sake of it.
Although I have family in the oil industry they have conciously chosen to limit themselves to domestic exploration (and taught me to despise right-wingers!). Thus, I got chills of nausea everytime former U.S. Administrator Paul Bremmer dared to appear on cammera and suggested the only thing wrong with the Iraqi people is they were not behaving and/or not giving the USA time. Since I would also be ticked at not getting sanitary water...etc, I think he was full of garbage. I admit to taking some degree of comfort that he looked increasingly ill-at-ease with that assignment and knows the world saw right through his duplicitous nature.
The mounting casualities are not a suprise to myself and many other people who had opposed this war from the outset. We had a suspicion from the start this excursion would end up being my generation's Vietnam. Like the earlier venture, solider depression is skyrocketing and American troops would rather kill each other than die for their goverment's flawed policies. Instead of attempting to bring freedom to Iraq, we simply are attempting to colonize that country for our own needs and should not be suprised when locals react to our leaders with disgust. The most patriotic thing we can do to support the troops is bring them home immediately.
I don't think it is a contradiction to support the troops while opposing the war. While living in a usually Republican suburb, I met some people who erroneously and initially assumed that I hated the troops because I did not want us to be in Iraq. As their friends and children die the casualties of Bush's policies are becoming clearly apparent though. Because I have also seen the miniscule 'veteran's services' which the troops must use if they return home, I believe that working for a day when there is no war is the most respectful position of the troops which a person can take. I don't want veterans to have to continue living in 'slum apartments' or have to use substandard hospitals.
When the Bush administration was first court appointed following the 2000 presidential elections, a majority of Americans were concerned the candidate did not have the temperament or the capabilities to govern a nation. After all, the United States presidency is not a figurehead role, but a 24-7 responsibility requiring considerable decision-making that impacts the lives of millions. Contrasting, the Texas Governor's office is a figurehead position with little actual power (I think the characters on 90210 would have more political experience), which is instead Constitutionally granted to the Lieutenant Governor.
Not only has Bush failed to grasp this critical distinction between his past and current job requirements, but he has actually surpassed all our predictions for incompetence. Attempting to capitalize on 9/11, he has essentially declared war against the world--conveniently oblivious to international protocol and law. The ever changing 'target' and the reluctance of 99% of our allies to embrace this 'war' provides solid pieces of evidence Bush is far more dangerous to national security than anything else. Apparently residing under the belief war is a game, he will not rest until he has anhilated the world--or at least dissent against him.
After all, if a threat from Saddam had really been the justified cause Bush said it was, Kuwait (who has much to gain from a world without Saddam) would have allowed us the usaged of their country to stage military attacks. Yet, they pointedly refused to grant the request, citing the unnecessary danger from the scenario. That this has failed to make an impact on Bush or his henchmen indicates their real objective is world domination of the oil market.
Of course since they couldn't eliminate freedom without first starting at home, the Bush administration ironically had set up the very "big brother' government liberals such as myself have traditionally been accused of nurturing. From 'Operation TIPS' to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the Bush administration has made the errosion of privacy rights their number one targer and expansion of "big government" their number one issue. Iraq was apparently intended to be the first step in global domination, but a growing majority of the American public will do anything possible to ensure this neocolonialism remains inside Bush's head and he is promptly tried for crimes against the American people.
Ironically, many of the afformentioned people who would otherwise be vocal about this development under any president remotely to the left are silent because it is THEIR candidate who is responsible for this mess. Funny how many of the most active conservative sites during the Clinton years have suddenly become dead or outdated after a very brief period where they were enthusiastically touting this new conservative regime's proposed plans for the country. I guess actually thinking is too demanding for their little heads.
Bush has only backed off of the 'warrantless' searches his administration once so feverently supported because of Democrats now having control of the Legislative branch. The administration now recognizes they will probally now have to answer for their own misuses and abuses of power, something which will definently prevent this president from being remembered fondly by both the people and history books. Nope, having two terms or being a father-son president team isn't the key, it's protecting the Constitution which makes a good leader.
I admire Cindy Sheehan's vigil being held in memory of her son, she is concerned that he died for the Administration's need to lie about those Iraq WMD's. She loves her son and she also loves truth. If this president made such a big deal about ethics and straight talk to 'real people' during his two campaigns, he really needs to meet with her and confess why her son died. It's not suprising that this Chickenhawk president likes playing war, but is then unable to face the consequences of what he is really doing to America.
During the 2004 election, I also worked to get out the votes of other college students with disabilities. I stressed the very large and important policy differences betweeen the political parties. People with disabilities are not victims or pity cases, but active political players in our own future provided that we get out and make ourselves known. Interacting with so many goverment programs on a daily basis, it is important that people with disabilities become politically involved.
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