As I
spaced out at work today, ever so briefly, as CNN subliminally
entered my brain, I thought about how ridiculous it is to think
that any country would open their arms to any
invader, regardless of why the invader was invading. (Sure,
Filipinos did it in 1898, and look where it got them? By the time
the Japanese imperial "liberation" came by, the lesson had been
well learned.) I mean, just think about September 11. There are
hundreds of millions of Americans who openly completely loathe
Bush. And I'm sure there is a significant number of Americans who
really do agree that there is something seriously wrong with global
capitalism and with western civilization in general (I mean, the
Battle
of Seattle wasn't just about some anarchists, you know.) But
none of these anti-Bush, anti-global-capitalism people rejoiced at
the atrocity of killing literally thousands of civilians to get the
point across. You didn't see any Americans joining Al Qaeda in the
battle against W and against the free market. (John Walker Lindh
was really one of a kind.)
Seriously, though, in the whole history of the world,
was there ever a "liberator" who didn't stick around after
liberation, ensuring that "order" would reign? Did anyone really
ever invade a place, kill the evil leadership, and just as
abruptly, pull out again? I am very dubious that there was.
In any case, I think we need to get Bush out of office.
The 2004 election may be too late (especially if martial law
eventually gets declared.) Maybe we need to impeach this bastard.
Seriously. He is completely
wrecking what this country is supposed to be about (link from
This Modern World), my cynicism about the American Way
notwithstanding.
Despite the great evils committed by the American
government in previous times, I do not think anything has ever
besmirched the Constitution as much as the Patriot Act. Mr. Bush is
seriously destroying the Republic. Like any other subjugated
people, we can't wait for others to "liberate" us. We need to take
our freedom into our own hands.
(And just to make it completely clear to Mr. Ashcroft
and his goons, no, I am NOT suggesting armed revolution.
There are plenty of non-violent, legal ways to overthrow this
regime. Although, it might be good to keep in mind that
President Kennedy once said, "Those who make peaceful
revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
Just remember that this is still America, buddy. I pledge
allegiance only the Republic, not the Empire. The Thought Police can
go fuck themselves.)
And as a coda, another quote from President
Kennedy:
What kind of peace do we seek? Not a "Pax Americana" enforced on
the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or
the security of a slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind
of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that
enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better
life for their
children—not merely
peace for Americans, but peace for all men and women; not merely
peace in our time, but peace for all time.
Why is it that people who makes sense always end up
dying in such horrible ways? (Sorry. I just couldn't help
alluding to "
The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead by XTC.)