Is it the “burned-in” permanency of our collective and individual memories of all the pain we have inflicted worldwide in the name of and in the spirit of democracy that refreshes us? And where, may I query, has this quest to distribute this democracy to those needing basic human requirements, done them the most good? Was it when our B-52s were bombing Hanoi, North Vietnam or dropping “Agent-Orange” defoliant on their forests/jungles, or was it when US Army 2Lt. William Calley on March 16, 1968 led an attack on the unarmed village of Mei Lai, killing and mutilating over 500 women and children? All this done, in his sick mind, to bring democracy to even the yet unborn in their dead mother’s bellies! And yes, I assert, “This all was done with God on our side.”
We deploy our troops and they follow orders, but where and when does the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow start appearing for us after all the blood and treasure we expend? We were attacked on 9-11. How does that translate to destroying Iraq and rebuilding it, then destroying Afghanistan, then rebuilding it; but ignoring struggling people in this country who are hungry and homeless and jobless and their children can’t attend school? Are we better at warfare than we are at caring for our own citizens?
In every country in Europe, there are groups of people from various semi-dormant political parties waiting in the wings for an opportunity to make their intentions known. The people’s political leaders and businessmen have rendered their lives, rendered the quality of their lives to the garbage pit of irrelevancy. They are now essentially excess-baggage, to be just slightly considered due to their increasing presence on the city streets; but no more than, perhaps, an old suitcase once securing young dreams of school, career, marriage, and family.
America is different, you know. We have God on our side! Ask any homeless mother or frightened teenager living on the filthy streets of Metropolis; they’ll tell you. As I witness the decline of our nation because of the failure of our own government, as I see politicians using the name of God to make their audience believe they are inspired, divinely; I recognize that I’m old enough to have seen it all, way too many times.
“In a many dark hour I’ve been thinkin’ about this, that Jesus Christ was betrayed by a kiss. But I can’t think for you, you’ll have to decide; whether Judas Iscariot had God on his side.” {“With God on Our Side,” by Bob Dylan}
