Knee-jerk Nation
What other than money?

 

     There were 19 terrorists, 4 aircraft and [who-knows-how-many] anthrax assaults on and since September 11th. Thousands have been imprisoned with only the rudiment of law containing their persons and no charges have been formalized (against any I know of). Two laws have been passed and signed that assault the Bill of Rights so thoroughly that decades will pass before our law again is "of, by, and for, the people."
     What? Is this some un-American jingoistic propagandistic Attack on the System? Is this liberalistic tree-hugging wining or namby-pamby soft faggot girly gutlessness? What the hell do they mean by that?
     While the media tries to decide if it is a War On Terror (WOT) or a War Against Terrorism (WAT), the fact remains that Congress had the debate regarding a formal declaration of war. They passed on making such a declaration. This is neither a WOT or a WAT; but, war by any other name is still war.
     As attack aircraft have mutilated the hated enemy Taliban horseback and foot soldier, the rhetoric continues. No discussion of tactic is forthcoming (as the Taliban have satellite TVs in their holes and telling what we intend will cost American lives, I guess). No discussion of the political goals sought out of the conflict is forthcoming; beyond generalized elocution toward unspecific pie-in-the-sky idealism. It is too much to ask where we are going with this mayhem and how we intend to get there. 
     There is no question that a sophisticated and effective military strategy has been formulated and implemented. The military continues to "do their job" effectively and with only minimal peripheral casualty. Any organization, be it a nation, a terror cell, or the Boy Scouts, who thinks they may take on the American military machine and expects to even dent its capacity to bring death and destruction, is insane.  The uniform and the flag are well represented in this all-volunteer force.

 BUT?

     Ask yourself who is the enemy, really.
     Bin Lamen will die. It is a question of when and where. Although al Quida will disappear out of a very necessary political act, the Whabbism (Islam sect) that is its root will continue with support from Saudi Arabic interests from which it grew. This is not a communistic ideological threat, but the long term religious dictate threat; born out of thousands of madras Schools of Hate. In nations far flung as Somalia to the Philippines, Saudi oil money sponsors these mindwashing cells for children with no other opportunity to learn. Is the enemy ignorance or the Saudi?
     Afghanistan will have another useless governmental form, probably backed with United Nations "peacekeeping" forces. Certain privileged few will gain, while most will continue in poverty and squalor. Billions of dollars worth of ineffective-by-design aid will find its way into the country. In a decade, the effect on Afghan people will either be to further polarize their political form or to continue as a closed and secretive society of schizophrenic social order. What is the pervasive need for Afghanistan to continue as one nation anyway?
     Terrorism is not a physical thing. It is a choice of action against an enemy (usually a government) whose over-whelming superior force provides no other means of protest or avenue of social change. It is an idea that creates action, but with usual "collateral damage" to innocent civilians. It can be effective, but is usually contra-productive. As a choice of tactic, such underground activity is necessarily secretive. Thus, it seldom provides clear and specific political planning necessary to break its own integrated "ring of repetition". To conduct a War on Terror is sophomoric euphemism at best. At worst, it strives to connote an evil intent against a pristine solution, or is an outright lie. Is it either or both in this circumstance?
     Then listen to Dr. Condo-Lisa Rice and Colon Powell. Wonder what ever became of our Vice President and how he is spending his time these days. Look at the gargantulan numbers and wonder who is benefiting. Listen to the totality of the opposition and weigh their arguments. Ask yourself if The Shrub is up to this job or any job. Wonder why we never hear the end of blue comments against Bill Clinton. Think the unthinkable; consider that we have met the enemy and they are (mostly) we.