From the Halls of Montezuma

Tuesday, 25 September 2007

War. Now there is a tiny three letter word with controversy buzzing around it like flies around...well, you get the picture. War. It is all around us..."This means war!" "Battle of the Sexes" "You gotta fight for your right" "Halo 3."

We live in a nation that fought hard for independence, that fought hard to preserve the rights of individuals being killed for their religious beliefs...we fought because we wanted claim to land we "discovered," we fought because we believed others "needed" our help. We fought, sometimes for right, and we fought, sometimes for wrong.
When our enemies attack, flying over our own soil, killing thousands of innocents simply because we are "Americans," we retaliate. We reach out the large hand of American Power and slap those enemies to submission, showing we are not a country to disturb…
Yet…
We have also gotten that war lust glint in the eye, leading to senseless massacres of thousands of innocents guilty only of living upon “enemy” soil. It makes me wonder, whatever happened to turning the other cheek?

Now, do not get me wrong. I do at times understand the necessity to protect and preserve a freedom we fought hard to gain. But when does it cease to be a war of rights and turn to a war of power?? We have all seen the headlines. The media goes on feeding frenzies around politics, world leaders, who is "in" and who is "out" and why everything is wrong. I want our military to come home, but I also do not want our country put at risk of being shot in the back by cowards...again. But mostly, I do not want more senseless killings to continue on either side of the ocean. There is nothing worse than death for greed. And I just pray that neither side continue for this sick lust.

I do not know enough about the politics of war to continue these thoughts without sounding like an ignoramus. What I do know is that wars can get out of hand, like a sibling fight “She’s hitting me,” “He hit me first,” “I barely touched you,” “You didn’t have to hit me twice.” I remember the ol’ days with my two brothers, I know how it all goes. Little bro hits, you hit little bro harder, big bro offers a right- left combo to your face, you reach for a baseball bat…

NO!! That last bit was an exaggeration…though I cannot count on one hand how many times we have had to visit the emergency room…

Anyway, back to today. What is going to happen? That is my question. We were hurt. We retaliated. They can possibly retaliate further (wait, did we actually find any W.M.A.s…) So before they have the opportunity to retaliate, let us continue to push down with all our force. For how much longer? Why do we have to keep sending…when will they come home, duty done, world safe (well, I guess never would be the answer to that last one).

I do not like thinking about conflict. It hurts. But what hurts more is the fact that he, an “ex” with whom I have spent 8 years of my life, will be flying over to Iraq around midnight tonight. I fear for him. Do not get me wrong, he signed up for this… It is by his choice. Which is where I have a hard time offering sympathy when he calls with the “if I do not make it back” conversations. It is where we are divided. He says he will die with pride, I say he will die with stupidity. He is excited, I am sick to my stomach. He has chosen his path, and I will pray for his safe return… that is all the support I can offer.

May this marine go, may he stay strong, “…may (he) keep the courage to be proficient in (his) daily performance. Keep (him) loyal and faithful to (his) superiors and to the duties (his) Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to (him). Help (him) to wear (his) uniform with dignity, and let it remind (him) daily of the traditions which (he) must uphold. If (he is) inclined to doubt, steady (his) faith; if (he is) tempted, make (him) strong to resist …
Guide (him) with the light of truth and grant (him) wisdom by which he may understand the answer to (his) prayer.” {portions taken from “The Marine’s Prayer”}