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May 29, 2007 - 6:25am.
As a nation we have a long tradition of screwing things up. It might be our sordid use of slaves, the outright theft of land from Native Americans, internment of Japanese-Americans in World War II or knee-jerk passage of the USA Patriot Act and the imprisonment of who knows how many Americans in the aftermath of 9/11. Each is a dark moment in our history. In each case, America took a wrong turn. In some cases, she backtracked and tried to make good on her mistakes. Over the past Memorial Day weekend, America was forced, once again, to take a long, hard look in the mirror. If she was honest with herself, she didn't like what she saw. She saw a nation deeply divided by the most controversial war since Vietnam. She saw a country where the vast majority of its citizens no longer trust their government and lack faith in their leaders. She saw a country that paused to honor its war dead while wondering why they had to die in yet another foreign land for reasons that did not exist. The face that stared back at America looked drawn, haggard and depressed. It was the face of age and weariness, wrinkled by too many fights with too many foes - real and imagined. It was a face withered by moral ambivalence, weathered by sin and pockmarked by corruption. Perhaps it is a face that no plastic surgeon can save and masking a soul that no salvation can redeem. Or perhaps, behind those dark sullen eyes lies a spark of resolve, a desire to rise one more time to the challenge and fight to survive. Our so-called leaders have raped America, leaving her body ravaged and her morale all-but-destroyed. It is easy to rise up on partisan haunches and point the finger of blame at the other side but the sad fact remains that all of us - Republican, Democrat, independent, conservative, liberal, moderate, right, left and middle - share the blame for the political, ethical and moral tide that sweeps over America like a tsunami. The many problems that plague this nation span Presidential administrations, changes in Congressional leadership and shifts in prevailing national philosophies. These problems lie in a national psyche that places individual desires above national interest, greed above service and lust for power above consideration of the common good. And we can't begin to solve these problems until we put aside our partisanship, our anger, our hate and our need to win at all costs. Until we do, America will continue her headlong plunge into the abyss. Because when America looked in the mirror this past weekend, the face staring back at her belonged to all of us.  Technorati Tags: The Rant
Capitol Hill Blue's columnists, blogs and reader comments Capitol Hill Blue is an independent, non-partisan news site that belongs to no political party and subscribes to no political or philosophical point-of-view. Our columnists are welcome to their opinions but readers should understand that their views do not necessarily reflect the editorial policies of this web site. We also welcome comments to selected opinion columns and in our popular ReaderRant discussion forum. Please remember, however, that we believe in civility on this web site and comments may be reviewed, moderated or removed if we feel they contain obscenities, racism, bigotry, anti-Semitic remarks or attack other posters. Our goal is reasoned discussion on issues facing this nation and we do not feel that goal is served by personal attacks and by seeing how many cute adjectives you can attach to an elected official or politician's name. Copyright © 2008 Capitol Hill Blue
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A good idea.
Submitted by Janice on May 29, 2007 - 8:56am.Perhaps our elected leadership should start a national dialog on this very subject. I believe the vast majority of American citizens would welcome a new direction where we can move into the future together as fellow citizens, rather than as ideological adversaries.
But, that is just my opinion.
If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.
Mark Twain
I am saddened as an American
Submitted by Bill in Maine on May 29, 2007 - 10:48am.I am saddened as an American by the total disregard for humanity exhibited by Bush and his administration. I saw one comment from a military man on the Net saying that he respected his Commander and Chief. The Commander and Chief is a liar. When in our country’s history was a liar ever held up as a respected individual and worthy as a role model. I remember the time we had a system of courts and laws whereby liars were put on trial.
Every man that Bush has appointed is just another twisted version of himself. Questions to put to any of them are all answered in the same way: I don’t remember that, or, I talk to so many people, or, call them names or, dismiss them. Never once giving proof against the questions posed. They all exhibit a total lack of accountability.
Bush has turned the world against us. They obviously see him for what he is. I only hope that after his time in office is over we can bring in responsible representation to earn our place back in the world.
Two days ago Bush was on television saying that the Iraqi people invited us in to their country. Seems he has problem with the English language and doesn’t know the difference between “invade†and “inviteâ€. After he was “invited†in he toppled Saddam and disbanded their army. He left the Middle East in chaos. He made promises to the Iraqi people that he never kept; much like us. Something about an honest administration?
Then more of the Bush Administrations workings: “We don’t do body counts†General Tommy Franks, US Central Command. The Iraqi body count is now as high as 70,000 human lives. Our own men and women are dead to over 3,400 and rising; coalition forces over 3,500 and rising and how many from Afghanistan. How many go unreported since the majority of the war news is generated by the White House.
When the representatives of the American people care more for war and death than humanitarian efforts is it any wonder that America screams. I am at the end of my life and sad to say that I am no longer proud to be an American.
Respect the rank
Submitted by Roadapple00 on May 29, 2007 - 11:30am.When I was in the military, we were taught to respect the rank. You don't have to respect the man, but you must respect the title he holds. So the rank Commander in Chief is respected, but, Bush, that's a different story.
Roger
Roadapples!!!!
Submitted by Doubtom on May 29, 2007 - 3:28pm.That's the silliest thing I've ever seen repeated. There is no requirement to respect any rank when the person holding that rank is a lying and cowardly scumbag. He has cheapened the rank or title, whatever you want to call it. The only thing he deserves is impeachment.
The only thing I'll ever show that silly bastard is my ass, if he ever comes my way! Respect is earned and is not automatically conferred because he has a temporary title. I feel the same way about scumbag priests who molest little boys and they're suppose to represent god!
Well Said!
Submitted by Jenifer D. on May 30, 2007 - 10:30pm.LOL!!! Nice comment! You hit the nail on the head; those who hold the rank and see fit to cheapen and abuse it should not be immune from criticism of any kind. Just like the creed says: "I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety"
America the not so Beautiful
Submitted by cruzn2468 on May 29, 2007 - 11:42am.Indeed. I just saw Dennis DeYoung this weekend at RibAmerica in STL. He played Suite Madame Blue. The song is more meaningful today than when he wrote it in 1976. Here are some of the lyrics.
Time after time I sit and I wait for your call
I know I'm a fool what can I say
Whatever the price I'll pay for you, madame blue
Once long ago, a word from your lips and the world turned around
But somehow you've changed, you're so far away
I long for the past and dream of the days with you, madame blue
Suite madame blue, gaze in your looking glass
You're not a child anymore
Suite madame blue, the future is all but past
So dressed in your jewels, you made your own rules
You conquered the world and more ..............heavens door. Oh oh oh oh, oh oh.......ah aaaah!
America....america...america..america..
America....america...america..america..
America....america...america..america..
Red white and blue, gaze in your looking glass
You're not a child anymore
Red, white, and blue, the future is all but past
So lift up your heart, and make a new start,
and lead us away from here.
And you only scratched the surface....
Submitted by Paolo on May 29, 2007 - 1:52pm.Great rant.
I would add to the list of "not so beautiful" things our government has done:
1) The Spanish-American War's imperial conquest of the Philippines, in which American troops killed approximately 100,000. Toss in Cuba, Haiti, and Puerto Rico for good measure.
2) The installation of the brutal Shah of Iran, who instituted a reign of terror with his secret police, Savak.
3) The selling of chemical weapons to Saddam Hussein, followed by blaming him for possessing them!
4) Selling arms to Saddam, who proceeded to use them in the war against Iran, in which a million people died.
5) Forced sterilization of "mental defectives" in the Wilson Administration.
6) Censorship in the Civil War, WWI, and WWII, including imprisonment of uppity editors who declined to parrot the official government line, in direct violation of the First Amendment.
...and I'm still just warming up....
Re: America is not-so- beautiful
Submitted by Carl Nemo on May 29, 2007 - 3:30pm.Doug...superb imagery and a spot-on indictment...!
“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.†…Dwight D. Eisenhower
Carl Nemo **==
Memorial Day
Submitted by Helen Rainier on May 29, 2007 - 7:53pm.I am an Army veteran who still believes in the oath of enlistment I took -- especially that part about upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States. As such, days like Memorial Day and Veterans Day hold special significance for me.
Normally, I watch the various tributes to our troops and get all sappy with the weepy eyes and the lump in throat, and still get up and salute when I hear the National Anthem on TV. Taps does me in completely.
For the past six dark and long years, I have been unable to do this. The sight of a liar and coward like Bush pretending to "honor" our valiant service members turns my stomach. He should not even be ALLOWED to enter the gates of Arlington National Cemetary, much less lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
So, yesterday, I flipped the channel, and then checked my e-mail. My heart dropped. I received an e-mail from the Colonel (then a Captain) that I worked for at Ft Bragg. He and his wife wanted to let me know that our former Commander, then a Colonel, but retired Lieutenant General, West Point grad (a West Point classmate was Schwardkopf) had passed away on Thursday, May 24th.
I read the obit and it perfectly reflected the strength of his personality, his love of country, and his dedication to his country and his devotion to all of the SOLDIERS who served with him.
No kidding -- I saw it and witnessed it. He knew the name of every one in his command and always took time to talk to everyone and treat them with respect and dignity.
He not only talked the talk, but he walked the walk. He was the model and example I patterned myself after as I worked my way up through the ranks and became a First Sergeant.
It just struck me the total contradiction in the characters of two people yesterday -- Bush, the coward, liar and cheat, and this man, who believed in the West Point motto: Duty, Honor, Country.
That is also what he taught me.
Sorry for being so long-winded, but this thread seems the ideal place to share this. Thanks for bearing with me.
Helen, Thank you!
Submitted by Sandra Price on May 30, 2007 - 5:17am.I read your comments with a heavy heart. I've never served the country has you have, but I felt every win and every loss that our nation has experienced since WW2. Some of us do it "holding down the fort of home." We need to read comments like yours.
Sandy
A Clarification
Submitted by Helen Rainier on May 30, 2007 - 9:34am.Sandy,
Thanks for your kind comments. I do want to clarify: there is no doubt that holding down the fort of home" is a very important and necessary thing and people like this are also needed.
What I simply cannot stomach are people like Bush, who on the one hand claim to be "heroes" but in reality were anything but.
It is his lies, his deceit, and lack of duty, honor and country that is so repulsive and worthy of noting his lack of character and integrity.