Bill Arkin makes an obvious if rarely mentioned point today:
America needs a larger non-military. Whether it's Iraq, drugs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Africa, hurricane Katrina, or the increase in domestic crime it is so clear only Washington can't see that our tendency to see a military solution to everything is not only wrong but has had profound negative effects.
The reason for this is that the President, also known as the "Decider" can simply order the military out to do something the moment he desires it. It's easy for him and doesn't require any thinking, any discussion or, most importantly, any compromise with competing power center. And like Arkin says it is having profoundly negative effects on our society. (On a side note, read this post of his for a better take on what is wrong with the military--a new command is a part of the problem, not the solution.)
I don't know what the solution is but I'm open to suggestions.
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Comments: 30
Just this morning, GWB said we have to keep fighting "over there, which can conveniently and eventually be anywhere, so that we don't have to fight them here. On the hand, he hastened to add, the preholiday market is humming, "so don't be afraid to go shopping."
Shopping, and otherwise striving, keeps us fat and happy which in turn drives our big daddy "free market economy." And who's going to pay for all the things that keep us happy, secure in our land of liberty, safe from terrorists and secular extremists who covet or hate everything we have? Why the economy stupid! Along with a few loans from friends, and some good old american ingenuity and R&D to help us kick our oil habit, and more orders for better cluster bombs, and new and improved things that are just too sensitive to talk about (in the interest of national security and for your own good of course) because if you knew then someone would have to kill you.
It's the economy.
Jesse the doom of Bush was sealed post Katrina because the American people DO expect, (like it or not) the Federal government to have its collective head in the sunshine and not the other place.
Thanks Jerry. I need a hat like that.
S-P, Why a military response to everything is indeed the exact right question. In regards to Katrina, Sam said it well that we, the people, DO expect the Fed government to help with state related problems.
Oh the hypocrisy of it all. If a state like Oregon legalizes marijuana for medicinal use and legalizes the right to die for terminally ill our so-called "conservative" government (less Fed more state and local empowerment) must step in to protect the state from its own laws. But how dare we expect them to provide aid in a horrific disaster within the 50 states? Don't you know we have wars to fight overseas (oh wait, to be wars doesn't there have to be a declaration of war and consent by congress for war? or do I have things all mixed up again?).
I would like to see our new congress push for growing the non-military and dealing with the many issues piling up after years of neglect. This is a period of hope. Here's to a productive 2007! May I also hope that we can all come together maybe one or two steps so that we can cut through partisanship and get some real work done? I know I can be guilty of partisanship myself, but I would be willing to make an attempt to move towards the center for the good of our country, if I saw similar willingness on the other side.
"Bush,...... UN .....do something........???????"
A little sarcasm there, but..........? Can't somebody else take a turn?
We can DO this thing. We "see" it, we write and talk about it, we believe in it more and more------It's happening.
As individuals and small groups heal their subconscious programs of toxic fear-aggressive-defense programs, the energy of healing spreads through larger and larger groups.
One tree drops a used-up leaf, then another and another....and soon enough the whole woods is bare, down to the bare bones, the core Truth - and preparing to realize dreams of Spring and a new Growth.
You and your brain dead cohorts are part of the disaster stalking America today. Simple headed sheep believing any lie told you by a failed Texas baseball club owner. You guys are no postion to question the judgement of ANYBODY, let alone those brave enough to express their right of free speech to somebody holding a loaded M-16. Bozo.
Now- what if we take Brian as one opposite: CONSERVATIVE
and Sam/Felix as conservative's complementary opposite: LIBERAL
then the 3rd energy, which is in-between those opposites, and also is made of them both: SHARING, or GIVEAWAY.
CONSERVATIVELIBERAL.
Hey! That makes me Giveaway! Well, here - I'm giving away little ******s tonight. Enjoy! And Happy *mas!
Try again:
CONSERVATIVE < GIVEAWAY > LIBERAL
Gen Abizaid's resignation, and attempted resignation before that but Rummy blocked it, is a leaf, and the generals and all the otheres who spoke out before that comprise a branch. That branch and the leaves will turn into good things. Bush will go away, one way or another and so will congress come and go. But Abizaid, that is a big thing. It takes an enormous amount of courage for a dedicated career soldier who really believes in what he is doing to just say "NO", no troop surge and I'm not falling on my sword. I'm just going! Though he wouldn't comment in detail when asked if he was asked to leave, his face I thought was radiant. It bodes well for change in a postitive and sane direction.
The peaceful warriors will have more fertile ground on which to do their work.
Peace
Where's my pitchfork, but first I have to put a new flower on it.
But the UN guys have to wear those blue helmets. Not to worry though, the U.S. cavalry is riding over the hill as we write, so to speak, with shiny new "transformational" equipment and ideas.