copyright © 2008 Betsy L. Angert
To everything there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
They say life is cyclical. Peace prospers in a era. Epochs are filled with tales of war. Currently, in the United States, this is the political season. Issues are the topic of import. While at times, it seems rumors rule during the ritual run for the presidency, mostly, people want to speak of what affects their everyday life. Some say, "It is the economy, stu***." Others declare military defense and homeland security are the subjects we must speak about. A few say, we must secure our boarders. This theme ties the two aforementioned together. Jobs and terrorism are the greatest concern. Then there are those who inquire, "What happened to talk of the Iraq war?"
Well you may recall months ago, in a September 2007, Democratic Debate, whilst citizens clamored for an end to American involvement in Iraq, a storm rolled in. A tsunami of sorts washed over the American people, and talk of an exit plan was quelled.
The three top tier Democratic candidates all affirmed that they could not anticipate what they would find when they took office. Each of the so-called "electable" Democratic "hopefuls" declared, they would not commit to end the war in Iraq until after their first term. Perhaps, by 2013 a Democratic President would decide to remove troops from Iraq. Before that, they would likely increase the number of battalions in Afghanistan, at least Hillary Clinton certainly would. After all, Clinton and Barack Obama believed, that is where we "should' have been all along. Senator Obama stated, Afghanistan, and possibly Pakistan, were "the right battlefield'' in the war against terrorism."
Once the Democrat hopefuls adopted a strong war stance, the constituency adapted. It was as if summer turned to fall. The leaves fell from the trees, and citizens of the United States settled in for a warm winter nap.
If Progressive leaders believed the war would not end, then perhaps, so too, must the public. The Republican candidates never intended to exit Iraq anytime soon. Each thought that would be unwise. The faithful base was behind them. A few faltered. Those "independents" followed Congressman and Presidential contender Ron Paul down the anti-war path. Perchance these scant few thought they could escape the cold brought on by combat.
However, for the most part, Republicans, even those who questioned the wisdom of the Persian Gulf War, did as the "right" does so well, they fell in line. Conservatives were not ready for change. The cozy comfort felt when the winds at home are calm creates complacency. As long as the battles did not interrupt the lives of those who first endorsed an engagement in Iraq, all was well.
Was that not the umbrella used to protect the policy? "We're fighting them there so we don't have to fight them here at home." John McCain submitted his support for the surge early on. For the Arizona statesman, war is always in season. Residents of Derry, New Hampshire might recall.
The United States military could stay in Iraq for "maybe a hundred years" and that "would be fine with me," John McCain told two hundred or so people at a town hall meeting.
Some seasons see no end, and perhaps war is one of those. It seems throughout history there has been a battle somewhere on the planet no matter the time or temperature. Senator John McCain recognizes this. He revels in this truth.
Indeed, the Presidential aspirant thought America needed to send in more soldiers to surge in Iraq than the President proposed to do. If we are to reign, then, we must pour on the pressure. The tactic may not bring peace, and to those such as McCain, global harmony may be but a myth, but certainly, more military might, will result in a temporary win, a seasonal success of sorts. That is far better than an admission of defeat.
In a Presidential Debate, June 2007, John McCain may have spoken for all the Republicans aspirants at the time, with the exception of Representative Ron Paul of Texas. When MSNBC moderator Chris Matthews asked "Senator McCain, most of the public pessimism today has to do with Iraq. How -- what would you need, as commander in chief, to win the war in Iraq?" The former prisoner of war responded.
I would need to be able to show them some success in Iraq . . .That strategy can succeed. The young men and women who are serving are the best of America. I believe that if we could bring around -- about stability in the neighborhoods in Iraq . . . you are going to succeed.
Surrender? Defeat?
We must win in Iraq. If we withdraw, there will be chaos, there will be genocide, and they [the terrorist] will follow us home.
Only two months before John McCain made this statement, in the Spring of the year, the Christian Science Monitor reported US public's support of Iraq war sliding faster now. Those who regretted our decision to attack Iraq outnumbered those who supported the war by 14 percentage points. Republicans were the majority among the forty [40] percent of the Americans who remained stalwart. Thus, the Senator's stance did not shock these traditionalists. Those who advocated a "stay the course" strategy, were, and possibly are, still in awe of what American military might can do. According to the Pew Research Center in Washington, in the early Spring 2007, fifty-four [54] percent of the citizens in the United States objected to the current conflict.
By June, as the Summer sun set on the horizon, only a month after John McCain presented his proclamation, much had changed. The public tired of the protracted war. A win was not in the future. Many Americans concluded they had been lied to. Republicans were as war-weary as the Democrats.
Public support for the war in Iraq has fallen to a new low. Not only that, but Republican support is beginning to waver.Thirty percent of Americans polled say they favor the war, the lowest level of support on record. Two-thirds are opposed.
Anti-war sentiment among Republican poll respondents has suddenly increased with 38 percent of Republicans now saying they oppose the war.
Moreover, 63 percent of Americans are ready to withdraw at least some troops from Iraq. Forty-two percent of Republicans agree.
Fifty-four percent of Americans do not believe U.S. action in Iraq is morally justified.
Now, as Americans look forward to the November election, we rally round rumors. We speak less of peace and more of money. Our leaders have helped us to realize that peace is not a viable prospect.
We have come to accept that another season passed and a newer storm is in view. There was a time when the public realized soldiers were conveniently hidden from view. People acknowledged that the wounded and fallen were flown home, into Dover Air Force base, in the dark of night. Citizens questioned why the troops remained invisible to an American public uninformed or too caught up in apathy to care. Many asked of the injured who were stored like cattle in hospitals such as Walter Reid. People clamored in distress when they read of the awful conditions. However, that moment too has passed.
Citizens of this country now care less that trillions have passed through our fingers. We worry not when we contemplate what was spent on a war we remain mired in; yet, reluctantly, we acknowledge what the powerful told us was true. The combat will continue. We consent to the conflict in Iraq just as we had before.
American public support for the military effort in Iraq has reached a high point unseen since the summer of 2006, a development that promises to reshape the political landscape.According to late February polling conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 53 percent of Americans - a slim majority - now believe “the U.S. will ultimately succeed in achieving its goals” in Iraq. That figure is up from 42 percent in September 2007.
The percentage of those who believe the war in Iraq is going “very well” or “fairly well” is also up, from 30 percent in February 2007 to 48 percent today. . . .
Democrats’ resolute support for the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces may soon position them at odds with independent voters, in particular, a constituency they need to retake the White House.
Half of self-identified independents polled now believe the United States should “keep troops in Iraq until the situation has stabilized,” according to polling data assembled by Pew at Politico’s request. . . .
The uptick in public support is a promising sign for Republican candidates who have been bludgeoned over the Bush administration’s war policies. But no candidate stands to gain more than McCain.
The forecast for Democrats has changed. The predictions may be grim. Whilst slams and damns were exchanged amongst the Democratic aspirants, no one in the Progressive Party noticed that talk of the war waned. People no longer thought the troops a profound topic. The rain of rumors filled the air, as did what seemed more real and relevant to those here at home. Foreclosures, financial woes, coupled with that early lack of commitment to end the war in Iraq, opened the door to a flood of futility. Hence, the people resigned themselves to an endless war, and those that recall the fallen are left to ask, "Where have all the soldiers gone, long time passing." The answer is blowing in the wind. The troops have gone to graveyards every one. Might we inquire, "When will we ever learn?"
As the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war approaches, let us remember the 4,444 American soldiers who took a last breathe. Lest we forget the more than 29,305 seriously wounded and the near 90,000 Iraqi civilian deaths. Please recall the than 4.2 million innocent Iraqi refugees, who have left their homes "many in dire need of humanitarian care."
Perchance, it is time, the season, to ponder. Would we wish to war for a few more years? Are Americans prepared to eat, drink, be merry, and forget the cost of combat? The answer may be "Yes." While we are currently concerned with the expense of food, fuel, wine, and water, the truth is, as long as citizens in this country do not have to see any of the death and destruction that occurs daily, we can still gossip and elect those who will sustain the slaughter. Americans will not ask . . .
Where Have All the Flowers Gone
words and music by Pete Seeger
performed by Pete Seeger and Tao Rodriguez-SeegerWhere have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone?
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?
Taken husbands every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?Where have all the young men gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young men gone?
Gone for soldiers every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Covered with flowers every one
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?©1961 (Renewed) Fall River Music Incorporated
All Rights Reserved.
Sources and Support for War . . .
Recent Comments