Forget It

I now realize that my friend Matt was correct. Politics is topic which you hardly ever win, yet all too often lose. A study released even shows that even when given facts about a particular subject, more often than not, a person will remain fixed to their position. So in what way did I think this trivial blog would have some sort of profound impact?

Today, because I questioned how quickly Bin Laden's body was disposed of and because I stated I needed more details before I accepted this report as fact, I was accused of questioning Obama's ability as President and creating a conspiracy. Even though I never said this had been faked, I was now someone who was anti-American.

Let me be perfectly clear: my opinion on Obama has not changed one bit because of this development. He was simply in the right place at the right time. Flip the votes and it is McCain making the call to go ahead with the operation. So this event does NOT make the man.

Am I happy Bin Laden is dead? I am neither happy nor unhappy. My friend Matt talked of how this brings closure for Americans because Bin Laden was a symbol, and symbols are powerful. How very, very true Matt. Hitler was a symbol - and the nation was jubilant upon news of his death. And that symbol was subsequently transferred to the hate groups that inhabit our very country now. Waco and Ruby Ridge were powerful symbols, and their destruction led to horrors in Oklahoma City. I am neither happy nor unhappy because each time a symbol is destroyed, hatred, distruction and death follow in its wake. Bin Laden is dead and we must now prepare for the inevitable backlash.

I started this blog because I felt I needed an outlet and thought, just perhaps, I could get what I considered a needed message broadcast. I see now that I have quite simply caused myself even more undue frustration and have had some sense of superiority when writing these. I still believe each and every word I have typed here and would not change a single one. But, in all honesty, what do I know? I am simply a human being as are each of you.

So I bid each of you adieu. Let us all hope that the future brings us great success that we can pass on to our children and grand-children. Thank you for letting me into your lives. And remember, freedom is not American - it is human.

Think of Yourself Much?

We Americans have a pretty twisted view of ourselves as it pertains to the rest of the world. The internalized sense of being right, compared to all others is akin to chritstians telling jews they are wrong. Unrest breaks out in Egypt, Syria, Libya, etc... and all you hear from our side is that these people are screaming for democracy. I certainly hope not, because even our Founding Fathers hated democracy. This is why the United States is a republic - but I digress.

I have yet to see a single "one man, one vote" type of sign at any of these areas of unrest. These people are not in the streets screaming for democracy. They are not screaming for government of any kind. And they sure as hell haven't asked to be like America. They are screaming for the ability to life their lives as man and woman was meant to - on their terms. Yes, government plays a factor into the lives of all, but how we live these lives (our enjoyments, moments of happiness) is defined by us as human beings.

We tout freedom of speech, press, religion, et al as somehow American in nature. These freedoms aren't American - they're HUMAN. And for a country that cannot even recongize the equality of its' own citizens, we sure do have a ton a graft about other countries' affairs.

These uprisings are not about becoming more like America. These uprisings are about becoming more human. It amuses me to see news of certain countries being considered for the U.N. Council on Human Rights. Lets be honest - NO COUNTRY belongs on that council. We've been as dire to our own people as anyone. And considering Extraordinary Rendition, America's hands are clearly soiled.

So instead of trying to figure out how we can help others be more like America, maybe we can look inwards for a bit and help ourselves become more human.

Here We Go

Of course, I have to comment on the death of Osama Bin Laden. As to how I feel about it, I'm actually a bit unsure. After 20 years of military service you'd think I'd be running through the streets singing Lee Greenwood. However, what I am doing is sitting here realizing that we may have solved one of our self-inflicted wounds. I realize it is dangerous to use this sort of tone directly after the announcement. I don't need something like this to be appreciative of my military brothers and sisters - I share blood, sweat and tears with them. And if he truly is dead, then a hearty Bravo Zulu on a job well done.

This much I know - WE created Bin Laden. Starting in 1979, we sent in the CIA to train, organize, fund and arm Bin Laden and his mujahidins to fight against the Soviets. So, in actuality, it has taken 32 years - not 10 - to take this man down.

Of course, all we have is a press conference and printed news so far. There are no pictures and his body was buried at sea less than 24 hours after the news. People who die in the U.S. of natural causes aren't buried that fast. How fast were we to provide picture after picture of Hussein and his son's bodies? Some of you may be thinking that pictures of Bin Laden's body may incite blowback. What - you don't think dumping it in the ocean and not returning it to his family won't? Do you think that radical terrorists around the world are going to go quiet simply because he's dead? Showing pictures to prove his death will cause no more damage than the jubilant celebration going on in America today will do.

And Obama was eloquent as he attempted to tap into the "joy-joy" feeling that existed for about a week after 9/11. That short period where no one hated anyone else - unless you were a muslim. Blacks, whites, hispanics, asians...all together. I doubt that happens over this and, if it does, it will be even more fake than the first time. You do realize that 9/11 is what convinced the Westboro Baptist Church that this was god's punishment for homosexuals right? Well, perhaps god hated Bin Laden just a bit more this time Westboro.

I am happy this is over, but I am not blinded by the story. I know the U.S. funded Bin Laden, I know that the title Al Qaeda is the name of the list kept by the CIA of members of Bin Ladin's mujahidins - not what the call themselves and I know the FBI never listed 9/11 on Bin Laden's most-wanted rap because they didn't have the evidence to tie him to it.

We now enter a scary moment in time. After 9/11 we saw what the Bush administration did in the name of national security. With an event like this, don't act shocked if it gets even worse.

So, if it is true, congrats to my brothers and sisters in arms. But if they fail to produce concrete evidence of the identity, then I may be off to Morpheus to take the red pill.