Here's what I think...

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Thunder and Lightning - War as Theater

Forget Japan's nuclear crisis, the huge public demonstrations of discontent in Madison, Wisconsin, the stubborn persistence of the Great Recession, the grinding frustration of the war in Afghanistan, the destabilization of Pakistan, we are bombing again! Look at the spectacular light show. Listen to the crackle and boom of air attacks on Libya.

We had to do this you say? Kadafi was mowing down his own people. He is a nasty, awful criminal. True. Never mind that Iraq and Afghanistan have overtaxed our military and our fiscal stability. This initial stage of conflict is amazing to watch - dramatic, exciting, distracting. So what if there is no end game. Since when do we worry about THAT?

Not even a nod at Congress for approval this time. In fact, announcement of the actions in Libya was made almost as an aside during President Obama's state visit to Brazil. This time is different, you say? The United Nations initiated the intervention. Right. Because we always go along with United Nations policy and never use it as a propagandized prop.

I guess this puts an end to including the military in any budget cutting discussions?

1 comment:

  1. It is astonishing to be that this country continues to make the same mistakes when it comes to military intervention...who was the sage who said those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it? I certainly don't agree with any nation's decision to stand idly by while another country perpetuates genocide on its own people, but doesn't charity begin at home? We have a lot of issues in our own backyard that need attention as well.

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