The mess that is the U.S.
A second post! Yes, I am indeed on a roll. The rhyming title shows it, does it not?
Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the United States. But that should be almost obvious to anyone not trapped in some single-minded dogma.
In the past few days, so much news has happened. America was compared to Rome on the verge of its collapse, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps was declared a terrorist organization by the Bush Administration, rumor of a draft for Iraq was thrown about, and the U.S. has drastically increased aid to Middle Eastern allies to put even more pressure on Iran, which includes a thirty-billion dollar deal with Israel.
With a little less than one year left, it seems that the Bush administration is vying with all its energy to push full force in its crusade. There is no where near enough dialogue, but this administration is famous for keeping silent and pursuing its own ways despite popular and world opinion.
The war is a tragic mishap, increasing pressure and enemies will do no good. It will only strain the military more, and the draft might then become a likely option (if it already isn’t). I almost do hope, however, that the draft might take place. I believe, and highly hope, that such a drastic invasion into the average citizen’s life will finally spur this apathetic population into action. If a draft takes place, it could very well make the burnings during the Viet-Nam Era seem like minor flames.
That thought gives me some hope. But there does seem to be some support rallying. Noticeably, the American Bar Association and the American Psychological Association have banded together to oppose the torturing of prisoners that is so easily accepted by Bush. The former, in a vote to oppose the treatment of the POWs, had only one in a vote of five-hundred, reject the idea. They, of course, claim that torture is illegal. Members of the APA have been used to develop some of the torture techniques used, so it highly refreshing that as a group they are now standing against the inhumane treatment of the prisoners.
And, of course, there is the resignation of Karl Rove. Although he will still likely play some sort of shadowy role, the Democrats now have a larger chance of gaining support. Although, I can’t say that I’m enthused about the Democrats as a whole either. Their record low level of approval is completely justified, I feel, as they were elected to stop Bush from pushing his agenda further, but they have failed to enact any solution to Iraq, and they even helped push his Patriot Act to new heights with the recent approval of warrantless wiretappings. Remember when corny Time magazine person of the year (hint: You!), and how that article mentioned the people voting in the Democrats for a change? Well, they have utterly failed.
So in the end, I find that both parties have gone stale. And although I find his ultra Libertarian attitude somewhat distasteful, it is impossible not to admit that Ron Paul has brought some fresh perspectives to current politics. I also find the straight-shooting clip of Mike Gravel speaking on the vain deaths in the Viet-Nam war refreshing. If only he stuck more to his cut-through-the-B.S. attitude, I think he might enjoy more of a similar popularity like Ron Paul. That’s perhaps my wishful thinking, though.
Once again, my thoughts wander back to the draft. Although its a horrible idea, I think it would inject some fresh vitality into this nation. Definitely more so than another bullshit 9/11-like terrorist attack that some of those awful conservatives want. A draft could be the tipping point. It would be a impetus that would affect everyone, not only a couple Muslims, or the “radicals” now protesting. But, I have been amazed by people not caring before, and I might be amazed again as a handful of people and I are arrested for burning our tickets as we watch the majority form single files.
