An open letter
I'm ok, I guess....
I went to bed at 2...Lee & I were up at 5...me ranting, her patience with
me all encompassing.
I need to get over this, but I am sad for my country. This is not my
America. This one is a bully, a braggart. I know we've always had that bit
in our heritage, but our position as sole 'superpower' in the world makes us
very dangerous.
Two quotes enter my mind...Thomas Jefferson said, "I tremble for my
country when I reflect that God is just". The other from Servan-Schrieber
who, in referring to the US, said (in 1968) "A nation holding a monopoly of
power would look on imperialism as a kind of duty, and would takes its own
success as proof that the rest of the world should follow its example."
How can you fight a war without soldiers? You can't. I'm pretty certain
there will be a draft.
How can you fight a war but lower taxes? You can't. So other programs like
social security, medicare, headstart, ...all will suffer.
How can you do what you want unilaterally and ignore the rest of the
world? You can't. Eventually, the world will decide to do something about
it. We threaten more than just Iraq...Iran...North
Korea...Syria...Afghanistan...Pakistan...(that's a pretty good list right
there). On the turn of a dime, this country might decide that Saudi Arabia
harbors terrorists and go there. How about the terrorists in the
Philippines? Or in Indonesia? And do we ever stop to ask ourselves WHY these
people are so desperate? Because we are the bastions of Freedom? Or perhaps
because we are the world's arms dealers and we have no problem selling any &
all weapons...except for nuclear ones...because we need our superiority.
Perhaps because they are well aware of what is done in other parts of the
world in our name...even if WE aren't.
I am NOT anti-American. This is the best country because we evolve as a
people and change through the ballot. But I have never believed "My
country, right or wrong". When it's wrong, we have the right...no...the
duty to work to change it. I think Jefferson might have argued that such
action might even include violence, but I am much too urbane for that, I
think. But I am Not ready for reconciliation.
I watched this election closely...and saw the Republicans say that John
Kerry and the Dems were out to ban the Bible. I saw his earned reputation as
a soldier completely smeared. And it was by Bush and his close advisors, not
a splinter group. Apparently, lies and distortions are OK by the electorate.
I concede that. Elections in the US have a long history of that. But it
doesn't change the truth. Spin can't do that.
OK...my rant (for now) concludes. I need to sleep like Rip Van Winkle, but
can't. So I'll turn on October Music and remember a better time.
Love,
Jon
I went to bed at 2...Lee & I were up at 5...me ranting, her patience with
me all encompassing.
I need to get over this, but I am sad for my country. This is not my
America. This one is a bully, a braggart. I know we've always had that bit
in our heritage, but our position as sole 'superpower' in the world makes us
very dangerous.
Two quotes enter my mind...Thomas Jefferson said, "I tremble for my
country when I reflect that God is just". The other from Servan-Schrieber
who, in referring to the US, said (in 1968) "A nation holding a monopoly of
power would look on imperialism as a kind of duty, and would takes its own
success as proof that the rest of the world should follow its example."
How can you fight a war without soldiers? You can't. I'm pretty certain
there will be a draft.
How can you fight a war but lower taxes? You can't. So other programs like
social security, medicare, headstart, ...all will suffer.
How can you do what you want unilaterally and ignore the rest of the
world? You can't. Eventually, the world will decide to do something about
it. We threaten more than just Iraq...Iran...North
Korea...Syria...Afghanistan...Pakistan...(that's a pretty good list right
there). On the turn of a dime, this country might decide that Saudi Arabia
harbors terrorists and go there. How about the terrorists in the
Philippines? Or in Indonesia? And do we ever stop to ask ourselves WHY these
people are so desperate? Because we are the bastions of Freedom? Or perhaps
because we are the world's arms dealers and we have no problem selling any &
all weapons...except for nuclear ones...because we need our superiority.
Perhaps because they are well aware of what is done in other parts of the
world in our name...even if WE aren't.
I am NOT anti-American. This is the best country because we evolve as a
people and change through the ballot. But I have never believed "My
country, right or wrong". When it's wrong, we have the right...no...the
duty to work to change it. I think Jefferson might have argued that such
action might even include violence, but I am much too urbane for that, I
think. But I am Not ready for reconciliation.
I watched this election closely...and saw the Republicans say that John
Kerry and the Dems were out to ban the Bible. I saw his earned reputation as
a soldier completely smeared. And it was by Bush and his close advisors, not
a splinter group. Apparently, lies and distortions are OK by the electorate.
I concede that. Elections in the US have a long history of that. But it
doesn't change the truth. Spin can't do that.
OK...my rant (for now) concludes. I need to sleep like Rip Van Winkle, but
can't. So I'll turn on October Music and remember a better time.
Love,
Jon