Thanks to a marvelous post by Duane Graham recently, a small group of subscribers had a
credit: richlandsource.com
very interesting discussion on the concept of free will. Whether such a thing actually exists will probably never be proven, but the politics of the 21st century certainly do not seem to support its existence. Humanity, led by the United States government, seems headed down a very dark road that diverges from its founding principles. Evidence of this is an essay by a West Point graduate reflecting on his involvement in the War on Terror in Afghanistan. It is a remarkable piece of truth-telling, and it is likely not what you first assume. Facing truth with an open mind can be very uncomfortable. Here is how it begins:
Born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, a former businessman who had helped run companies into the ground, he was widely considered ill-prepared for the presidency, out of his depth, a lightweight in a heavyweight world. Still, having won the Republican nomination and then a uniquely contested election, once in the Oval Office he proved to have a striking inclination for backing extreme acts and seemingly no compunctions when it came to promoting torture, politicizing the Justice Department, or kidnapping terror suspects (the innocent as well as the guilty) anywhere on Earth. He was determined to fill Guantanamo to the brim, more than ready to loose the U.S. military and American air power across the Greater Middle East, pleased to see that military and the CIA experiment with powerful new weaponry, perfectly willing to kill civilians in significant numbers without mercy, prone to ramping up America’s wars, ready to give the Pentagon whatever it needed (and more), eager to take down Iran and for that matter North Korea, and quite willing to put the fate of his foreign policy in the hands of “his” special general.
Who’s he talking about? Probably not who you think. Follow the link to find out.
Still Skeptical After All These Years 
An excellent piece. He covered so many important points. I agree.
Our son didn’t attend a military academy. He entered through ROTC in college. He espouses the traits of character defined including truth, honesty, honor, etc. He wants to serve with integrity to help make the world a safer and better place for current and future generations. We have heard him complain about some of the wrongs he sees in decisions of leadership. But, those complaints are private. It is a difficult position to be in.
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Indeed, Jim. Military service in the information age is very different from what it was during the Cold War, a time when few doubted the wisdom of our leaders. The loss of that trust lies with failed political leaders. Thanks for your comment.
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It was pretty easy for me to guess who this guy is talking about. I sent a letter to the Speaker of the House asking them to move on his impeachment as soon as possible. So, I knew most of this before I wrote the letter.
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Yes, I knew you would know, Herb. ( PiedType too.) Students of history could see what was happening but the average citizen was easily caught up in outrage and thirst for revenge because of 9/11. Even now I worry that too few understand the predictable chain of events that ensued. It’s a sad story when you add it all up, as in this article.
I try to imagine Dubya taking the alternate course, trying to convince us that pursuing Osama and his minions would be sufficient. Can’t picture it. The nation wanted shock and awe and he gave it to us. Reminds me of a long ago cartoon. Two business men walking together. One says, “He hit the ground running but he was going in the wrong direction.”
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It was obvious to me that paragraph described G. W. Bush. But then I’m one of those who thought he, Cheney, and Rumsfeld should be charged with war crimes. Little did I realize how much worse things could get …
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Thanks for the reply, PT. See my comment above to Herb.
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I’m sorry, but even a Canadian can recognize G.W.B. from this distance. Canadians pay surprisingly close attention to American politics, given that you’re our closest neighbours, largest trading partner, and the elephant in the bed with us. As you toss and turn, we’re jostled about. Now if the essay writer had talked about a complete lack of filter, common sense, or dignity, then I might have gone for the Donald.
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@ Shimoniac,
You are like the others. Naive people don’t comment on blogs like this one. Wait. Maybe that’s why . . .
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Jim … Darn WordPress gnomes unfollowed me, too!
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