War, Iraq, and Elections: An Introductory Course for Aspiring Dictators

The war in Iraq is a tiresome subject, and tales of roadside bombings, civil unrest, and disenchantment from our troops overseas are likewise becoming passé. Over three years have passed, and the war has been relegated to background noise as more pressing matters take hold. Dr. Strangelove is emerging as a factual character from behind the scenes of his fictional world, and conservative activist Paul Weyrich has only given voice to the ignorance still shared by many Americans when he declared, (in regards to the Foley affair) that "homosexuals [not pedophiles] tend to be preoccupied with sex".

We are losing ground in Iraq, but what other outcome could we have expected when dealing with a people who are as deeply bred to perpetuate terrorism as we Americans are taught to spread the word that ours is the one holy and authentic freedom? You can, as they say, lead a camel to water… Of course no one has put it as crassly as that (at least within range of a microphone) but then, whose fault is it if it's not ours? Who's to blame?

Throughout the Capital, monuments to our forefathers stand erect: witnesses to the achievements and setbacks of our great American society. Surrounded thus, can we fault our misguided leaders for their zealousness in their need to protect our country? Can we criticize such an unfaltering belief in their ability to lead the unenlightened out of the cave and into the 21st century? It was difficult to hear the possible repercussions of their actions when deafening chants of "Democracy or Bust!" could be heard reverberating from the Hill all the way to California and the New York Island.

Today those bipartisan cries have become mere recollections as the men and women for whom we voted scramble to find sound footing on an ever-slippery slope. And as Election Day nears, time stands still for no one except those racked with grief and filled with questions as to why their loved one isn't going to be home for the holidays. Ever.

We look for new direction, new reasoning, new courses of action, but no viable solution seems to be on the horizon. Our officials (Alberto Fernandez) tell Al-Jazeera that our policy in Iraq is arrogant and stupid, chastise (Condoleezza Rice) the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki for not providing a sound and corruption-free government to curb the violence, and tell us (President Bush) that ours is a clear and unchanging goal of victory in Iraq.

And in the meantime, the augmenting of US troops has been proposed as a possible short term solution to the influx in sectarian violence, while the October death toll for our soldiers is slated to become the deadliest month on record in the past two years.

Keep the strategy, change the tactics. Keep trying. Keep persevering. I think I can, I think I can! The odds are with us: the more we play, the more likely we'll have a chance at winning. In Las Vegas that's called gambling. In a twelve-step program, it's called addiction.

There are those who say the United States has a social, economic, and military duty to our global neighbors. Blessed with bounty aplenty, we should dole it out accordingly. During WWII, FDR kept us off the world stage for as long as he could, but once engaged we became unified in our synchronized march towards the eradication of evil and the salvation of our brothers. We were loved, we were cheered, we were respected…and we haven't taken off those rose-colored glasses since. Have we forgotten the simple lesson that our ability to lead is only as great as our ability to garner respect?

Political theorists discuss transparent democracy and emphasize that the legitimacy of any government or political undertaking lies as much in the result as it does in the process that brought us there. We attempt to introduce democracy the world over while ignoring the cracks in our own.

"Our government isn't perfect..." cry my detractors, coming dangerously close to sounding like McCarthy reincarnates as they question my citizenry, my dedication to the Republic, and accuse me of not appreciating the United States for the glory that it is.

"It's not perfect, but it is the best there is!" they say.

Well, that may be good enough for them, but it is nowhere near good enough for me. The "best there is" can - and unequivocally should - be a whole lot better.

Should we stop trying to introduce men and women of all ages, races, and religions to the idea that they have basic human rights which translate into letting their voices be heard in any and every government under which they live? If it means a Civics lesson by force, yes. If it means rebuilding the educational foundation of future generations and accepting that this introduction and reevaluation of social values, traits, and definitions will take time, than no.

The November elections are here and Republicans are becoming increasingly concerned about holding onto their congressional majority…but what, exactly, would it mean if such an upheaval were to occur? How much different will policy, rhetoric, and proposed legislation be as we wait out the next two years in preparation for the Presidential election? I'm not so convinced that the change we need lies in any action taken on the Hill.

As my charming brother says: "I'm kind of hoping [this election will have] the tone of an armed insurrection... MENSA finally taking up arms as a faction against the stupid, and hitting anyone who thinks that God, laws, or social programs are replacements for common sense and accountability.

"Personally, I'm about to lead it. If the Republicans stay in office right now, we could see more fuddling and bull*&%! at the cost of the lives of our soldiery, because they can't make up their *!^$% minds. Next time one of the politicians who conceived the orders to use soldiers as cops says "pray for our troops", I'm going to scream. If you're that worried, either give them an objective, or bring them home. I only hope that if there is a God, and such feeble, heartless prayers make it through, they are answered with lightening bolts.

"And if the Dems get the big show, there goes my profession (gunsmith). Hell, there goes all of them. *!&@% freedom, paper [legislation] will protect you! I don't like their idea of safety... it sounds too much like not having a choice.

"And of course, let's not forget the bipartisan agreement to have Big Brother looking over our shoulders.

"We need to take over. For our own good. I think if we can get MENSA (maybe) the NRA (definitely) and Phillip Morris and Pepsi Co. (difficult) we could pull it off..."

[Laughter]

I put down my pen and look out the window. For one brief, sweet moment, night waxes triumphant and the world exhales to rid itself of uncertainty, heaving toxins all asunder and purifying every molecule of air in preparation for the day to come. In that silence within the silence, the tender but determined footsteps of humility can be heard making their way down streets of old. So quietly they pass that they will only make themselves known to those who stop to listen.