State of the Union

Well, today I finally found a text version of Bush’s State of the Union address. I caught the last 20 minutes of it during lunch here on Wednesday. (It was live, remember the time difference thing.) And I saw the Democratic response. How is it that our two main political parties can want mostly the same things, yet disagree on them at the same time? (Not talking about Iraq, or Afghanistan, here.) And disagree so strongly. Is it just because of Bush’s more outspoken religious faith, (He does make several references to his beliefs during the speech.) or is it because he is unwilling to compromise on what he believes is the right course of action for the country? Anyway, I have a few comments on the State of the Union address that I’d like to put down. And, after that, I have a few comments on something that has totally pissed me off from the Washington Post.

Bush states that we (America) must not back out on our promises to nations that we have told we will help. The most obvious places he is talking about are Iraq and Afghanistan. Both of those nations are benefiting from our presence there. The both now have developing democracies, and their people are starting to enjoy the benefits of a free people. While there are people there that want to go back to the way things were before, they are in the minority. After all, who would want to go back to oppression, either religious, or dictatorial, when you can be free to choose your own representative government? I know I wouldn’t. We are winning against the terrorists in these countries, but it will take time, years in fact, to ensure the security of these budding free societies. And the terrorists (at least the rank and file, the one that do the dieing) are more motivated by hatred of the West, and the U.S. in particular, and a generally tolerant religion that has been perverted into one of hate by those seeking personal power. (And, go figure, these aren’t the ones doing the dieing.)

There are other nations that we are helping, some are already democracies, and some are not. (But are slowly turning that way.) Places like the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Thailand. We must maintain our pledges to help them as well. We can’t be like France and commit to helping out, and then decide that we really don’t want to, because, you know, we really didn’t mean it at the time. These people deserve our help, and by our example (and that of our strongest allies, Britain and Austrailia) show the world a better way.

We can not retreat into our own borders and shut out the world. The world will not leave us alone. Those who want us destroyed as a nation will come after us. I, for one, would rather visit death and destruction on the enemy’s (That’s whoever wants to hurt MY country.) doorstep, than find Americans killed here at home, because we didn’t have the will to act as a nation, not the fortitude to see it through to the end. (France anyone?) Retreat is not an option!

The President quoted a Marine Staff Sergeant, Don Clay, who was killed in action in Fallujah last month. Here is that quote, “I know what honor is. It has been an honor to protect and serve all of you. I faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to. Never falter! Don’t hesitate to honor and support those of us who have the honor of protecting that which is worth protecting.” I feel that I know he was talking about. In war, there is no true honor that is something we tell ourselves to make it more palatable. But, it is an honor to protect those you serve with, and those that cannot, or will not, defend themselves. We few are willing to make the sacrifice for the rest of the nation, regardless of how you view us. That is our job.

Another big section of the speech was America’s addiction to oil. (We are severely dependant on foreign oil. Some people believe that we should drill for more from what is actually in the U.S. I don’t think so, I think we should use everyone else’s, and then tap our own. But, I really should get back to the speech.) The initiatives the President proposed, may bare fruit in the future. I don’t know, but it appears to hold promise.

The main problem I see is in order to quickly reduce that dependency, Americans would have to give up their cars, and use more public transportation. I don’t think that will happen. As a result of our capitalistic society, we are a selfish people. When we want something, we want it now. Here in Korea, I’m not allowed to have a car. And I HATE it. I have to use public transportation, (which is very plentiful here) I hate having to rely on someone else to get somewhere. And I hate not being able to do it when I want, not when the bus schedule says I can. I can’t wait to get home so I can have my car back.

Ok, that’s enough about the State of the Union address.

On to my next subject, which is this:

The was in the January 29th edition of the Washington Post and drawn by cartoonist Tom Toles. Now, our freedom of speech allows us to express ourselves in anyway we wish. I am all for that. However, that freedom comes with responsibilities, and should be tempered with compassion and common sense. Mr. Toles should be forced to visit some our wounded service members and see what effect his irresponsible attempt at political humor had on them. And then try to justify his unthinking action. The Editors of the Post should do the same. All this shows is that most of the media in the U.S. only cares to exercise their 1st Amendment right, not for those who defend it. (Now, this is just my opinion based on what news I see here, which, I admit, is limited.) I do not see how someone can so belittle our service members who have sacrificed so much for this country. Not only for this country, but so that other nations can have freedom such as ours.

This tasteless piece of political “art” was unthinking enough to get the Joint Chiefs of Staff to do something nearly unheard of. They formally, and in writing, protested the use of such political slander. The military, by our very values, tries not to comment on the media, except in rare cases. And, as far as I know, there has never been a comment from America’s top military leaders on anything from the media, with the exception of question and answer sessions during news conferences. And I present to you the text of the JCS’s letter to the Managing Editor of the Washington Post, Mr. Philip Bennett:

“To the Editor of the Washington Post:

“We were extremely disappointed to see the editorial cartoon by Tom Toles on page B6 in the January 29th edition. Using the likeness of a service member who has lost his arms and legs in war as the central theme of a cartoon is beyond tasteless. Editorial cartoons are often designed to exaggerate issues - and your paper is obviously free to address any topic, including the state of readiness of today’s Armed Forces. However, we believe you and Mr. Toles have done a disservice to your readers and your paper’s reputation by using such a callous depiction of those who have volunteered to defend this nation, and as a result, have suffered traumatic and life altering wounds.

“Those who visit with wounded veterans in local hospitals have found lives profoundly changed by pain and loss. They have also found brave men and women with a sense of purpose and selfless commitment that causes a truly battle-hardened warriors to pause. Where do we get such men and women? From the cities, and farmlands of this great Nation – they serve to be a part of something bigger than themselves. While you or some of your readers may not agree with the war or its conduct, we believe you owe the men and women and their families who so selflessly serve our country the decency to not make light of their tremendous physical sacrifices.

"As the Joint Chiefs, it is rare that we all put our hand to one letter, but we cannot let this reprehensible cartoon go unanswered.

“Sincerely”

And it is signed by all 6 of the Joint Chiefs. At least they were able to put it more eloquently than I ever could. The printing of that one cartoon has gotten me so pissed off at the small minds of Mr. Tole and Mr. Bennett, that I need to take my own advice and take time to think about what I want to say (more than I already have) and not just spout off at the mouth.

I’ll see ya’ll later.