And the Beat Goes On
There is the biggest story of the month, which is of course the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Let's get this out of the way, it's a damn good thing. While some may argue whether or not he was really part of al-Qaeda and just how many deaths he was resonsible for, but he was a terrorist. He was a leader and a symbol and now he's dead, and I used up a good Apocalypse Now reference yesterday. In a lesser noticed story, the attempt to repeal the estate tax was defeated in the Senate. This comes just a day after another high profile fight of Bush's didn't go his way. And both of these fights will continue ofr years to come, for that is the way of things. We shouldn't want it any other way.
Ok, the fight on terrorism won't end in any single move. Well, not in any single move people will like. The complete and total annihiliation of all life on this planet WILL end all terrorism, but that's it. Terrorism will continue no matter what one person we get rid of, even Bin Laden. So, the fight against terrorism will go on, even with al-Zarqawi dead. Iraq will still have lots of people who want to kill each other and people they consider their enemy. Iraqi troops will still have to secure their country and civil war still looms, albeit in the low intensity form it is now. There will, in no long time coming, be a few pretenders to the throne of head bad guy in Iraq. Oddly enough, the different factions should be able to take care of the others getting out of hand. Actually, that's the low intensity civil war that is coming soon to a country near us.
Back at home, the Bush is losing votes in the Senate. This is being done, in all probability, on purpose. With Bush and his ilk losing "important" votes in the Senate, there is probably the hope that this will drive the very conservative, religious base to the polls in November. They are hoping this because Allen (R-VA), DeWine (R-OH), Santorum (R-PA), Burns (R-MT) and others are all polling under 50% (Hee, Santorum is at 33%. Lincoln was more popular in South Carolina in 1863.) They will lose, hard, unless the religious base gets out and votes like the dickens. Of course, the problem is the moderates are not longer buying all the arguments that have been presented. It's a hard sell to convince Americans who are seeing dead soliders on thier TVs that gay marriage bans are more important. It's an even HARDER sell to convince people who see gas prices rising and oil companies raking in record profits to let multi-millions hand down inherited wealth without heavy tax. Next up, is gonna be flag burning ban amendment just in time for the 4th of July. A little good wrapping in patriotic colors, dead soldier or two and this will be another lost vote for Bush.
These are both defeats that don't definitively end anything. Terrorists will go on bombing Iraq and the Republicans will try to get re-elected. Sometimes, a stunning loss can mean just as much as a decisive victory. Especially Americans. When the chips are down, we love a good fight. We love a bad fight, we just love fight where it looks like we're supporting the underdog. Oddly enough, this election might be fought by two groups who think they are BOTH underdogs. People love a good persecution complex. People love to feel they are part of group that has gotten it bad for as long as possible. After all, if nothing but bad things have happened, you're justified in taking whatever actions you need. Ask Golda Meir, Michael Collins and Osama bin Laden how well the "they hate us and have always wanted to destroy us" arguemnt works for getting people to do what you want.
Of course, if the fight always goes on, then the good guys never lose.
So it is written, so do I see it.
Ok, the fight on terrorism won't end in any single move. Well, not in any single move people will like. The complete and total annihiliation of all life on this planet WILL end all terrorism, but that's it. Terrorism will continue no matter what one person we get rid of, even Bin Laden. So, the fight against terrorism will go on, even with al-Zarqawi dead. Iraq will still have lots of people who want to kill each other and people they consider their enemy. Iraqi troops will still have to secure their country and civil war still looms, albeit in the low intensity form it is now. There will, in no long time coming, be a few pretenders to the throne of head bad guy in Iraq. Oddly enough, the different factions should be able to take care of the others getting out of hand. Actually, that's the low intensity civil war that is coming soon to a country near us.
Back at home, the Bush is losing votes in the Senate. This is being done, in all probability, on purpose. With Bush and his ilk losing "important" votes in the Senate, there is probably the hope that this will drive the very conservative, religious base to the polls in November. They are hoping this because Allen (R-VA), DeWine (R-OH), Santorum (R-PA), Burns (R-MT) and others are all polling under 50% (Hee, Santorum is at 33%. Lincoln was more popular in South Carolina in 1863.) They will lose, hard, unless the religious base gets out and votes like the dickens. Of course, the problem is the moderates are not longer buying all the arguments that have been presented. It's a hard sell to convince Americans who are seeing dead soliders on thier TVs that gay marriage bans are more important. It's an even HARDER sell to convince people who see gas prices rising and oil companies raking in record profits to let multi-millions hand down inherited wealth without heavy tax. Next up, is gonna be flag burning ban amendment just in time for the 4th of July. A little good wrapping in patriotic colors, dead soldier or two and this will be another lost vote for Bush.
These are both defeats that don't definitively end anything. Terrorists will go on bombing Iraq and the Republicans will try to get re-elected. Sometimes, a stunning loss can mean just as much as a decisive victory. Especially Americans. When the chips are down, we love a good fight. We love a bad fight, we just love fight where it looks like we're supporting the underdog. Oddly enough, this election might be fought by two groups who think they are BOTH underdogs. People love a good persecution complex. People love to feel they are part of group that has gotten it bad for as long as possible. After all, if nothing but bad things have happened, you're justified in taking whatever actions you need. Ask Golda Meir, Michael Collins and Osama bin Laden how well the "they hate us and have always wanted to destroy us" arguemnt works for getting people to do what you want.
Of course, if the fight always goes on, then the good guys never lose.
So it is written, so do I see it.