Can’t See the Forest for The Bushes
by Keith J. Chouinard
Bring the troops home from Iraq or keep them there to finish the job? That is the question that’s being asked all over the country and the world for that matter.
How is it the real questions are never actually asked? Or if they are, they are not given much time for the question to sink in or be answered before we have some lesser matter thrown at us as if we need to forget about the real questions.
The question itself of bringing the troops home is a quagmire. If they all packed up and left Iraq tonight the repercussions would be unthinkable. In Iraq alone those that supported the involvement of the United States would be open and unsafe targets much more than they are now. The foreign entities that have followed into Iraq to fight against the United States would assume control not the people of Iraq.
The United States government itself would look as if it was defeated in the “causes” it has claimed it went there for. It would seal up the attitude that it is a modern day “Vietnam situation” where, there is no way out of it but leaving before more unneeded people die giving their lives to a cause that was murky in its reasoning to start.
Is it possible to not believe in war but see the fact that due to the actions of others that put us there, to leave now would cause further disaster for many. The question is not do we bring them home or leave them there to fight and possibly die.
The question (s) is and are. “How did we get there to begin with?” and “how do we solve the issue and protect our country from these repetitive issues of leaders not seeing the repercussions of their actions”. “How do we protect those people that are praying for peace and freedom in their country of Iraq?” “How can we get out of there?” And why isn’t that being discussed more? Those are the issues that will either empower us or destroy us as a country. We can choose to learn from the issue or ignore it and fight our way to wherever the finish line may lead, claiming we are right and hoping we are the ones still standing.
Some of us believe killing each other is wrong for any reason, whether you term it capital punishment, a crusade, or just simply a different opinion.
Yes, that Dictator was not a good man; in fact he was a very bad man. Though history tells us we put him there in power, so what can we learn from that? It seems the powers that be in this government have helped people into power in several places in the world in the past that have come back to haunt us and turn countless people against us. Have we learned from these lessons? Or are we so big we can just keep doing it if those in power think the ends justify the means. Yes helping people live free is a good cause, but freedom is much more than the ability to by a bottle of soda that “Is The Real Thing”. Freedom is much more than the ability of being able to vote for a president from a hand picked selection paid for by the corporations and interest groups that pay the way to the presidential office.
There are not many real answers out there being offered, thus it only leads to questions here. Those instances of freedom we ourselves have lost go much deeper than most would care to admit or acknowledge. Simple invasion of privacy at the airport screening procedures is not even in the list. That itself is the issue, “How did this begin?” and “Why is it people are not able to see what is really going on?” After all what is going on?
Is it much easier to live life believing those in charge have their best interests out for us and due to that they are right and we need to trust in that and agree to whatever they tell us? Is it safer to believe they may know something we don’t and they are only looking out for us? Dare we question?
Illusions are all around, Lies stare us straight in the face. What are our rights, who do we trust. Freedom is not freedom in America if you cannot say what you think without fear of reprisal for being “un-American”. To question is healthy, to only get smoke screens and lies and truths that fit for awhile is unhealthy, un American, and wrong.
Freedom? We have all but almost lost the ability to see what is really going on and are encouraged not to look deeper and ask questions because its un American and not in the best interests of the country.
I have heard it asked; "which presidential election did the Americans lose their country in?" "Who decided we didn’t need to count all the votes?" A very large amount of people will admit they believe the last two elections have proven that the presidential race was fixed. Though the comprehension of what that means is too harsh and difficult to admit.
Will there ever be a day an honest person can become President solely on their merit and good work? A day that the hundreds of millions put into the election campaigns, the “war chests” as they are called will actually instead be raised to do good things for the Americans they are wanting to lead, wouldn’t that be what leading the free American people be all about?
This article is not based on hatred or political opinion, rather its intent is based on the comprehension of the old phrase "Cant See the Forest for the Trees" yet with a slight turn of phrase in the form of a pun. The intent is not to answer the questions raised - rather to help think, question, and be aware of the rights and magnitude of actually being free.
I personally believe in the concept of "American Respect" over "American Pride" a nation built on the ideals of freedom and justice for all.
Being Consciously aware and awake IS FREEDOM. A freedom that no one should have the right to take from us. Taking empowerment from others to attempt to empower oneself is not empowerment it is SLAVERY.
I thank all those souls before me that light the way.
