What the fuck? I suppose we, as "guests of the Iraqi government" is just another example of good military lingo. Like "collateral damage" which translated means, "Oh shit, we slaughtered innocent kids and women again. Damn!" Such is the nature of the military's "precision bombing" doublespeak, using language to tidy up a messy situation. A kind of minor distortion of major proportions.
From what I gather, the Iraqis are surprised at US reaction to Haditha. Apparently, they don't understand all the fuss about an incident like Haditha's which is far more common than reported.
The ado back here in the States is apparently because we really bungled this one, i.e., we got caught, and badly. But when "guests" are slaughtering their "hosts", isn't it time to just pack the hell up and get our butts home? Just what the hell is being accomplished by staying on any longer? Will our military only be satisfied in Iraq (much like Bush in America), after every last citizen hates us (or him)?
But I digress, this isn't what I want to talk about in this blog. In fact, so far, what I've said has little to do with what I really want to present today. And yet, in a way, it has much to do with what follows. And how's that? Well, just as we tweak language to sugarcoat truth, what follows is one mom's warning to every mother's son or daughter to beware. Candy coating the bill of goods we're sold as truth doesn't just happen after the fact, it's part of the pre-sales spiel given our kids as well.
And I'd like to share what this friend has to say. The mother of three, she has a son currently serving as member of the United States Marine Corps who's done a tour in our newest member of the empire, Iraq. Having been back for a number of months now, he is undoubtedly at risk of getting his name on every Pentagon reassignment list that comes down next seeking replacements for those serving in the seat of civilization.
What follows are a few things to contemplate by anyone perhaps just coming out of school and thinking of a way to earn a living, maybe save up for further education, or find a career. These are the uncoated words from an agonizing mom as written over Memorial Day weekend after spending four and one half hours reading the names and viewing the photos of each and every service person who's been added to a growing wall honoring those who have been sacrificed to this war.
Here then, in her own words, are the thoughts of a soldier's mom to those sons and daughters contemplating a similar path.
~~~~~
Momma gets it!
Think about it for a minute...In a lifetime, how many times do we aspire to sharing our heart beat with an-'other'?
Every time we consider LOVE?
And in reality, how many times do we ACTUALLY get to share our heart beat with another? It is a rare 9 month engagement...only with our Mother, and if we are fortunate enough to be born in a woman's body and give birth, with our children.
These are actual, true events. Otherwise, it is an ideal we aspire to.
You might want to consider that your mom really loves you and has your best interest in heart.
Here is just one way of looking at it...
When our children become 'grown ups', and surrender their egos to the collective, in SERVICE, we may rejoice at their choice to consider a bigger picture. We readily acknowledge their intention to embrace more.
There is a loyalty factor here that we can be proud of. These offspring care for others, beyond their own personal comfort and well being. I personally appreciate those positive intentions, and unfortunately, I simultaneously recognize when those intentions and values are being exploited to serve greed and power.
Nevertheless, the same Mom's perspective readily recognizes that our kids crave the 'right of passage' ritual that will launch them from boy to man, or girl to woman. Oh, if only those aspirations could truly be met through the lies of the recruiters. (Sorry guys, I know you have a quota to meet to provide for your families and insure your promotions, but I must speak my mind here.)
You know that contract they offer doesn't really mean anything anymore...even in a court of law. There are some loopholes in there, if you look closely. You "serve" at the beck and call of your commander in chief. INDEFINITELY. If he decides that the "War on Terror" should last a lifetime, or two, or three, YOU are committed, even when the five years you committed to are finished.
You may be thinking that you can put up with anything, for a couple of years, to get back into college and pay off your student loans from the year you spent partying at the frat house..
Think again.
Even though it is an "all volunteer force", you are not allowed to UN-volunteer once you have figured out the details and changed your mind about aligning with this institution.
They may train you for a MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) that you never get to use because you get killed by an IED (improvised explosive device) while filling the role where they need you right now.
Guard, Reserve, or active duty, enlisted or officer. Makes no difference. You serve at the whim of the civilian leaders, whether you agree with their intentions, or not. Some of those civilian leaders (and many civilian Americans who elect them) haven't a clue. They've never been in the military. They have NO FRAME OF REFERENCE.
The potential for "the ultimate sacrifice" is only an abstract phrase to them. It may be to you as well. But believe me, it is NOT abstract to your mother!
If you join the military, you are required to take an oath to protect our constitution, and you would likely feel good when doing so. I would too. But, you know what? They can play games in the courts that tromp all over that same constitution that you have vowed to protect. Sadly, even when you continue to uphold your end of the agreement, they may not.
And because you have signed that contract, you are not allowed to dissent from the going perspective. "Stay the course". "Sir, no sir". You can be court martialed for expressing a (any) political point of view in public. You might even be accused of sedition.
Scary, huh?
I fully honor the heartfelt intentions to be of service to mankind, to something greater than oneself. But PLEASE, think twice, before you sign that page once. Not everyone in this world holds the purity of our high ideals for humanity.
Talk to some VETS, and take a lawyer with you, if you must consider the military option. And, if at all possible, consider what war might mean to your soul. The potential for irreversible wounds is far deeper than you may currently realize.
It's all fun and games till somebody puts an eye out.
1 comment:
A good post, dada, full of sad, but true, thoughts. Whether from patriotic zeal & mistaken impression they are being dealt with fairly, or just due to "no other options", these youthful targets of recruitment need to "Proceed with Extreme Caution". With our current warmongers in charge, however, we should expect such caution to result in reinstitution of the Draft. But perhaps that might finally wake up the populace & end this nightmare. You'll recall that great Vietnam-era poster cliche "What if they gave a war and nobody came?"
And if we're just "guests" in Iraq, then by the time-tested 3-day old fish rule, we went beyond the simple stench of decay & became a festering heap of rot 3+ yrs ago. My heart aches at the misery we've caused & are continuing to cause. D.K.
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