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So Many Issues; So Little Time
Southern
Style
by Rebecca Knight
Ladies and Gentlemen, I don't know about you, but there is so much going on in our country right now, not to mention the world, that I can hardly keep up. To say it boggles the mind would be an extreme understatement.
As I daily observe the Bush administration's questionable maneuverings and manipulations, it leads to feelings of dismay and disgust. Their goals are quite transparent. They want war and it appears war we shall have. On Friday I watched and listened intently to the statements made by the members of the UN Security Counsel. I observed every single speaker request and/or demand time to give the weapons inspections an opportunity to work, save the United States and the United Kingdom.
I am not proud of my country at this particular moment in history. Yes, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 are of critical importance. Yes, American citizens will forever be haunted by that fateful day. The lives lost and the families torn apart by the hateful actions of those terrorists can best be memorialized by leaders adhering to American principles founded in the highest callings of our country's better nature.
Sadly, that is where the Bush administration is failing. Politicizing the tragic events of that day diminishes their significance. Leaders of true stature would never let vile terrorist actions change the fabric of American lives as the Bush administration has done. By allowing the slightest change in American civil liberties, by using terrorist alerts for political purposes, by timing a push for war against Iraq conveniently to gain advantage in the mid term elections of 2002, and by keeping the focus on terrorism and war rather than domestic issues of critical importance the Bush administration has given terrorism an undeserved victory.
Imagine the pride Americans would have felt had Bush defiantly refused to allow acts of terrorism to change a single aspect of American life. Is that so unrealistic? Leaders of stature go about the business of reassuring Americans and calmly work towards safety and security. Instead, Bush appears to relish his use of the bully pulpit to expound upon his belief that we must go to war against Iraq.
However, the Bush administration has not made a strong and convincing case that Saddam Hussein or citizens of Iraq are deeply involved in Al Qaeda or directly connected to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Their evidence is weak at best. It certainly does not carry the evidentiary weight necessary to convince the world that an attack of the magnitude of "Shock and Awe" against the people of Iraq is warranted.
Now let me state unequivocally that I have complete and total faith in our men and women of the military. I support them with all my heart and soul, as they are about to put their lives and the disruption of their family's lives on the line for America. They do so through duty to country and their Commander in Chief. In reality, they are in no position to question the morality or the righteousness of orders they are about to be given. They should understand that anyone who expresses dissatisfaction with the proposed war against Iraq is in no way dissatisfied with them. No, indeed! Any dissatisfaction expressed is directed at the Bush administration and the Bush administration alone!
Has there ever been a time in our history when protests of such proportions against war have taken place prior to war? If so, I cannot find evidence of such. Yes, comparable protests have taken place, but only after the actions of war have begun. Does that not tell the Bush administration something? Does that not tell Tony Blair something? Apparently not, and that is one of the saddest aspects of this moment in world history.
Time, ladies and gentlemen, time costs us nothing unless one believes that time allows Saddam Hussein to conspire with members of Al Qaeda against America. How can someone under such intense scrutiny conspire to take actions against anyone anywhere? That is the relevant question. Yes, it would seem that time is on the side of those who seek peace. Rushing into war only proves that patience is not a virtue to be admired by the country taking such actions. Is that what America is about? Not in my mind. And not in the minds of patriots who value American history.
There is an extreme divergence of opinion between those who value peace and those who push for war no matter the costs in human life or monetary expense. This divergence is evidence not of patriotism, but of nationalism. Nationalists will support whatever the current administration advocates. They are the American "right or wrong" crowd. They are the American "love it or leave it" crowd.
I take pride that I am not among them. For if we fail to value human life, regardless of nationality, what has our history taught us? Are we to be a nation of peace or are we to be a nation of determination to war no matter the human cost? Are we not a nation founded upon the principles that define the best aspects of human decency? Of course we are!
True patriots understand these principles must not be forgotten in a zealous desire to seek revenge. Rather than pursuing a path of calming influence, Bush has ratcheted up his rhetoric and has incited animosity among American citizens. The proposed war against Iraq is an extremely divisive issue because it will set a precedent of "first strike." This is not something to be taken lightly. This is a policy choice of extreme significance, one that should be debated calmly and rationally. Instead, Bush has taken a "my way or the highway" attitude, which involves an arrogance that is especially unbecoming of the leader of a representative government. It has also emboldened those who agree with Bush to engage in verbal and physical actions they might not otherwise have taken.
Reports of McCarthy-like tactics and assaults on American citizens by law enforcement officials are becoming more and more frequent. So, too, are accounts of citizen against citizen tirades. Protesters for peace are accused of aligning themselves with the enemy. Celebrities who speak out are belittled. But true patriots do not call other American citizens derogatory names simply because they disagree on issues. Patriots value freedom of speech and civil liberties.
Patriotism does not shy away from a critical examination of mistakes made by leaders or policies. No, patriotism searches for mistakes made and analyzes contributing factors leading to those mistakes. Patriotism seeks the answers to questions. Patriotism seeks to have America learn from its mistakes and uses those insights gained to improve the standards upon which America takes future actions.
Let us also factor the financial costs into the war equation. Has the Bush administration estimated the total cost of this push for war or the establishment of a democratic government in Iraq? No, they have not. Nor have they included it in any of their budgetary calculations.
No, but their budgetary calculations include tax cuts. Yes, they want their tax cuts even during a time of war. Never before in American history has an administration attempted to cut taxes while also taking on the added expense of war. In fact, all previous administrations during times of war increased taxes to cover the expenses of war, except for the Johnson administration during Vietnam. This proved to be a mistake as it led to drastically increased inflation.
So, not only is the Bush administration not funding the war efforts in its budget, they are taking an even worse course than the Johnson administration did during a time of war. Where can this lead and what impact will it have on our national economy?
It can only lead to escalating deficit spending and record setting national debt. Who is going to stand accountable for this monumental national debt? It will be our children, their children and their children.
Not only will future generations suffer, but also current American citizens will suffer through a lack of funding for programs already in place: Education, the needy, infrastructure, homeland security, the environment, etc. Where will the funding come from to finance programs?
Is a war against Iraq and Saddam Hussein to take precedence over everything in America? It would seem so. Patience used to be considered a virtue, but it is sorely lacking in this administration. By giving more time to the UN inspectors, we just might avoid the extreme expense inherent in military action. If more stringent inspections than ever before in Iraq can accomplish the established goals of disarmament, are we not better off both in human expense, but also fiscally, than if we proceed in haste? One would think so.
But make no mistake about it, the Bush administration, comprised of a surplus of war hawks, seems determined to take military actions against Saddam Hussein within days. Research has shown that many individuals working within the current administration have had such actions on their minds for years. Will they sacrifice everything good about America for their selfish goals? That is the relevant question. That is the question that causes Americans and citizens of the world to wonder about the true motives behind the Bush administration's push toward war. It is a question that is causing much dismay and many sleepless nights throughout the world.
History will judge whether America takes the right course in this confrontation. I fear that history will not look kindly upon America in this matter.
Just count me as one patriotic American who loves this country deeply enough to stand behind her all the way. No matter what actions are taken in our name, we must always keep our deep and abiding love of country close to our hearts. May that love strengthen us and keep us safe!
Rebecca Knight is a native Tennessean, who grew up in Nashville, and currently resides in a small town near Nashville. Ms. Knight's political awareness evolved through the civil rights movement, the Vietnam era, the Watergate era, and the cold war. The debacle of the 2000 election increased her sense of responsibility for political activism. You may contact Rebecca Knight via e-mail at tennessee_gal655@yahoo.com. © 2003 by Rebecca Knight
