Vietnam Service

Vietnam Service
Vietnam Service

Friday, December 28, 2007

Tears In The Mist

Many are shaken by manner in which Benazir Bhutto met her untimely demise. Ms. Bhutto was a highly educated intellectual who had twice led Pakistan and was seeking a coalition government from the current ruling party. She was fully aware of the danger her high exposure posed to her life, but was willing to continue regardless for a higher purpose-her country. Much disinformation was disseminated over the cause of her death, but It now appears at least three bullets were fired striking her fatally.

The US Government has poured millions into Pakistan which openly admits a massive corruption problem. The issue here is not to chastise an seemingly inept Bush Administration for failing to properly account for these funds, but for ignoring the vision which Ms. Bhutto was propagating. History is rife with those who paid the ultimate price for their principles. These men and women looked beyond the black/white perception our current administration, as well as others, is hopelessly immersed in and proclaimed the beautiful colors to be realized by rising above the gridlock. Ms. Bhutto was looking at a Pakistan the way she wanted it to be and not the way it was regardless of the peril to her own life.

The dedicated minority has always affected the greatest changes in society. Transformation, however, always has a cost and those in opposition defend the status
quo with whatever is in easy reach. Our recent history during the Vietnam War saw violence and chaos which rocked the very foundations of our society yet we survived. There are those, and always will be, who seek the "good old days" without elaborating history can never be reversed without cost. The American Public is, as paraphrased from Thomas Jefferson, a great unwashed beast which is peaceful while at rest, but tenacious when awakened.

Confrontation, debate and struggle are healthy for a society until the point of nonsensical violence is reached. The ante is then raised to the bar of survival where the sound of reason is hushed by the cacophony of gunfire. Unfortunately, this nation pushed the bar in Vietnam and currently, Iraq, by selectively ignoring our own arrogance and rigid ideology. Non-recognition of our own history of struggle and invalidating cherished ideals does not justify
pre-emptive invasion; nor does perpetuating equivocations to the public about another nation in order to invade. No amount of earth's resources, i.e. oil, gained can eradicate the pain of betrayal on a national level. That is certainly not the America we were brought up to respect.

The United States has lost sight of our own dream; the cherished vision paid for with the blood, sweat and tears of those past. Instead, we rely on short-minded ideologues
uttering simple cliches to motivate the masses whether true or not. Ms. Bhutto should be remembered not only for her ultimate sacrifice, but also for the vision her death caused many in this nation to recall. Once again, we have to find our way in the darkness until the American Dream is reborn to its fulfillment. Her unfortunate death has given us the time to pause and realize the decimation of our own national vision. For that alone, we owe her a debt of gratitude. Another bright star is twinkling in heaven this evening and this world citizen says "THANK YOU!"


Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Now You Hear; Now You Don't

Ladies and Gentlemen, a news conference has begun to elaborate on the President's plan to convince America he is always right about Iran regardless of what intelligence agencies state, what others proclaim and yadda, yadda, yadda. Dana The Dimple comes to the rostrum:

Dana: Good Morning, Controlled Media. I want to make a brief statement and then open it up for questions.

Dana: Okay, that was the statement, get it!!!; let me consult my color coded chart for good people to select. Done, you there in back, wearing the single tone outfit.

Indiv: Yes, what do you want?

Dana: Ask your question!

Indiv: I'm the janitor, okay.

Dana: Damn chart...uhhhh, the Cuban Missile Crisis is still not relevant. Regardless of what your hear, the President is always right. He says so thus one should believe.

Press: Reputable intelligence agencies in this nation and the world have stated Iran ceased military nuke operations in 2003, yet President In A Bubble continued to rant on World War III and stoke the war fires. How do you explain that?

Dana: He is always right and didn't do any of those things. Let me explain this for your edification (4 syllables). It comes from God to George through me to you. Therefore, these statements are divine in origin and not subject to fallacy. Like, its theocratically cool!!

Press: Are you stating President In A Bubble (PIB) is a prophet?

Dana: Duhhhhhhhhhhh! Took you awhile to figure that one out, Einstein!!!

Press: This is hard to envision since he is so mistake prone. Can you give us something more to validate this revelation?

Dana: Have you ever noticed how Barney (pet dog) always follows in his footsteps and never urinates on White House fire hydrants. Next question....

Press: There are no White House fire hydrants....

Dana: See, the Tribulation has begun and you didn't even notice!!!! Barney works in mysterious ways. No Cuban Missile crisis here or if there ever was one...

Press: Let's get a bit more substantive. Why did the President cite the fear of World War III knowing the Iranians had ceased nuclear activities?

Dana: He's the President and talks with God. I talk to the President sometimes too, but usually when his wife isn't around. Pickles tends to rain on the party and that's when one needs to clarify issues. She's an issue and I'm Dana.

Press: Not sure what that meant, but you didn't answer the question. Please, why did he continue preaching World War III when he knew production had stopped.

Dana: That falls under Executive Privilege between him and God. The Missile Crisis happened in Cuba and you thought I didn't know.

Press: How does one get a straight answer from this administration?

Dana: Oh, Silly....ask a crooked question and then hope for the best!! Time to go since I have to look up someone named Kruschev for my new book on etiquette....

Press: One last question......was the White House involved in the destruction of CIA tapes!

Dana: Of course, not. PIB gets his anti-depressants and alcohol from the House Physician. God told him to take these to develop a clearer picture of the domestic scene and boy, has it ever helped. Bye, now...

This has been a heavenly production authorized by President In A Bubble, his disciple, Karl and Official White House Dog, Barney.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Banality of Presidential Elections

Turned on the television a few days ago and observed what appeared to be a group of adults discussing elementary politics. It wasn't intriguing nor stimulating to watch this group play politics with accompanying snideness and questionable intellectuality. Ironically, it was the Democrat or Republican presidential candidate debates-take your choice. So much was said about so little and of course, primary topics of major interest were cautiously avoided. Its the ratings that matter, the right image and not the country or perish the thought, the public for whom they serve.

Most of these candidates could participate in the television program revolving around knowing more than a 5th grader except they would probably lose. So what is it this writer is actually trying to say. The election campaign is a farce....no, no that, though there are moments. More concern exists for favorable segues and building points that for this great nation....no doubt, this is true. In reality, this entire campaign reminds me of high school king/queen of the prom campaigning. Everyone seems to be currying the public only for favorable response rather than delving into the myriad of problems this nation faces.

There was more enthusiasm with Colbert declaring a quasi-candidacy than with many of these individuals; and he certainly discussed far greater issues. This is, indeed, a sad thing to note, but coincides with the demise of American world credibility. How else does one rationalize the staying power of certain names who would have been forced out years ago.

Guiliani-womanizer, questionable financial transactions as Mayor, et. al.

Romney-draft evader, attempting to minimize church-state separation.

McCain-has forsaken Arizona with his senatorial absence, silver spoon youth whose father's rank, Admiral, prevented him from being bounced from Naval flight training after crashing two jets, questionable activities with North Vietnamese while being held as a POW, wife steals drugs from non-profit org she headed and becomes addict-convicted and dried out, his wishy-washy attitude towards Bush even after being attacked by Karl Rove, et. al.

Huckabee-who?

Thompson-back to Law and Order; he needs the writers strike to end for campaign material.

Clinton-difficult to determine a position on many facets.

Edwards-fadinggggggggggggggg

Obama-has to walk the razor's edge

I'm tired of all of this though the others are far from innocent as well. We are only human beings and susceptible to human foibles. Americans are a forgiving lot, but lost values and common sense would have prevented many candidates from declaring their availability. The quality of candidates has decreased in tune with our national values and no one is shouting from the rooftop for it to stop.

Has Iraq been really discussed? The lies that propelled us into that conflict; the wounded GIs receiving less than adequate healthcare in hospitals resembling the Walter Reed episode; the 120-150 Veteran suicides occurring weekly; the US government becoming a corporate welfare provider to companies like Halliburton; our declining education system; media facets crawling in bed with the White House, et. al. I miss America.

Its banal. Like Alf Landon once said, "I could run on a laundry ticket and beat these bums."

Saturday, December 15, 2007

End Of The Year Eval

Well, well, well....here it is almost at the end of 2007 and the obvious question is: are we better off this year than last? Will 2008 bring a kinder, gentler nation espousing forsaken values and brimming with less compassionate conservatives? Methinks I don't know, but at least there will be an election! Otherwise, here are my observations:

1. The US has become a Britney Spears codependent. God, this administration reminds me so much of her misguided antics.

2. Gomer Pyle is a better orator than GW. At least, he wouldn't need all speeches scripted, the audience preselected and news correspondents chosen beforehand as well. What does this spell......fear and indolence!!!!

3. I just don't understand....Bush and the Uber Gang presented lies to launch us into Iraq yet Congress prefers to remain oblivious to taking them to task. Thousands have died while Congress buys into the fantasy and espouses we just can't leave. Okay, but how did we get there and what the hell are you going to do about it? Similar to the Britney "I'm too sick to go to a deposition" while missing four dates and then complaining about the horrible sin the court is perpetrating on her children by threatening to take away custody. By the way, who has visitation rights to George W. and Dick C.?

4. Oh, America....you send our youngest off to fight the wars and then forsake their care when they return. Why aren't our returning wounded being taken care of? Why are Veterans relegated to the darkest bastion of society once their usefulness to fight the "war" has ended? Again, another morality crisis the Bush Administration has tried to gloss over. By the way, did I mention 120-150 Vets are committing suicide weekly and all the conversation is over why inadequate tracking exists? There is Frontier Land, Fantasy Land, Never Never Land, White House Land; I forget the other two, but now this government is is Spin Spun Land.

5. Iran was ready to initiate World War II, according to Yanked From Flight Status in the Guard George, but then we find out they had halted production in 2005!!! Hmmm, let me tell you about this bridge for sale in Lake Havasu... Now, this writer would never accuse George of fabricating, but there is a strange scent in the air coming from the bullpen and it isn't jasmine.

6. Baseball is rocked by yet another seismic anomaly....first it was the strike which destroyed the love affair for many of us....and now steroids. Its not entirely the players fault since owners want production to enhance public turnout at games. As the great barbiturate taker, Nancy Reagan, once said: "Just say no." (even though she couldn't). My Goodness, why were so many Yankees?; and tell me, did George provide any substance while he was affiliated with the Astros as a minority owner (other than being photographed picking his nose?). Its a travesty to all who once believed! Where is Judge Learned Hand when you need him??

7. Declaration of Conscience: I believe in my country, but have serious misgivings about our current state of government. The electoral campaign could be better served by simply herding all the candidates into a room, distributing Double Bubble Chewing Gum and then determine who blows the biggest bubble. So far, it has been an exercise in futility reminding me of adhering to the great Shakespeare paraphrased from Romeo and Juliet: "they speak and yet they say nothing." Unfortunately, people are dying while the vacuum is being expanded!!

8. Help me understand....Lindsay Lohan was on probation and then was pulled over for DUI and Cocaine possession....84 minutes in jail. Paris Hilton was on probation, suspended drivers license; and then was pulled over for driving without a license, et. al.-just a few days in jail. Kiefer Sutherland was picked up for DUI and given, I believe, 48 days. Hmmmmm....I'm beginning to see a pattern here....Britney, don't worry...you can be released to pick up your Starbuck's latte...no problem....Kiefer, back to jail. Just love justice, celebrity style....

9. Bill O'Reilly is such a trip....here's a guy talking about the war on Christmas, morality and all that after Fox was forced to ante up approximately $15 million to satisfy a sexual harassment suit against him by a former assistant producer. A typical story......silver spoon youth goes to parochial school, private university and then to England to avoid the draft (1968); returns when fear of induction is over; and now becomes the great victim of his own sexual verbages. Apparently, the young lady involved may have made tapes of his overtures and this frightened the His Holy Hypocrisy. Tsk, tsk, tsk....look to stars, dear Bill, instead of your own private folly.....Does he know Brittany?

10. Its the Christmas season....I believe in the old Christmas when it really meant something and millions looked forward to it yearly; not the commercialized Christmas which begins as soon as the first college football game is over. It is a special time of the year which has to be found again in one's heart and not from the machinations of mass advertising. Happy holidays to all and dear Brittany, even Santa Claus has a present for you.