A Breath of Fresh Air

There is something in the wind. I feel the stirrings of humanity realizing that the passionate patriotism of 9-11 has died. It has died with a higher death toll than the buildings and the airplanes on that horrific September morning. The toll, on our misplaced patriotism, has cost us the lives of young, impressionable, talented, spirited men and women. Even the brother of Pat Tillman has spoken out in anger and agony over the loss he and his family suffered when Tillman was cut down in Afganistan by "friendly" fire. The empty plate upon their dinnertable does not seem very friendly or fulfilled.
But, as I say, there is something in the wind. "Stay the course" echos it's empty words and meaningless verbage upon famililies that have paid the price. Wives, children and parents of soldiers who left to defend empty threats and broken promises, pray that the soldiers will return, whole and able to pick up their dreams where they left them.
The drum beats of war increase as the deserts and cities are swept with a wave of insurgent religiosity and fevor, that urges the clash of east and west in a duel where the invader must be cast out and the theocracy of God as they know Him be protected from the infidels who would have their land and their religion and change them forever in favor of Western ideals. It is more than Mano en Mano.. it is God en Allah. People are effective when they fight for what they believe to their very core.
In contrast, war is expensive, limited by dwindling numbers of fresh recruits and the objective undergoes continuous obfuscation with each passing day, when the battle is fought on foreign soil where no one is grateful for the inches of freedom gained for them. "Stay the Course" begins to sound like a macho alternative to clapping hands and believing in fairies and just as effective.
The winds of change are blowing, whispering, urging us back to our own principles and asking us to take our doubts and fears to the polls and ask for alternative leadership that will plot a new course, away from wars, torture, secret spying and picking friends instead of experience
in selective fields of government . This is a display of patriotism, a thoughtful reworking of how we feel about ourselves and how we will treat others. It is a breeze that wafts a sweet scent of fresh mowed grass and unearthed weeds. Plan the course and work the plan. Vote and be counted.