Attack!!

Well, they did it now! Some terrorist group actually had the bad grace to attack America on its own ground. This hasn't happened since the War of 1812, when the British burned the White House. Or if you count Pearl Harbor, although at the time Hawaii was a posession, not a state. The only thing that surprises me is that it took so long for this to happen. We are incredibly vulnerable.

Even I, a left-wing hippie who went to college to avoid the draft for Vietnam (my number was 1), have to admit to a certain anger and patriotism at whoever would dare to do this dastardly deed. Even I, who hasn't even had a fight since high school (32 years ago), think these miscreants need to be dealt with firmly and decisively.

However, one must ask who and why. The answer seems to be pointed to the Mideast. An area that has very strong anti-American sentiment. But there are strong anti-American feelings everywhere in the world. Why is that?

Because our "government" (not the people) have had more than 50 years of dominating and interfering in other countries' politics. We have ousted rulers to put our own in place (Vietnam, Iran, etc.). We have backed Israel, completely ignoring the Palestinians who have a completely legitimate right to their homeland that was taken away after World War II. Israel is extremely heavy-handed, uncompromising and narrow-minded in their dealings with their neighbors.

Frankly, I consider myself to be an American, and proud of it. But I am not proud of the conduct of our government. They lie, cheat, murder in large quantities, and steal. My loyalty lies to my friends, neighbors, and community. We must rely on each other for support. Our government is hopelessly corrupt. George W. Bush is bad news. He is the epitomy of all the negative aspects of our government. He hasn't said a straight word since beginning the campaign. He is going to destroy Alaska and it's ecology. Social Security is about to be ravaged in order to give you "phony" tax rebates. Even that, the ones that really need it (low income) didn't get it.

The rest of the world is not very happy with America, and our government is to blame.

There is another aspect of this affair that worries me. Much of America is and always has been very racist and bigoted. I sincerely hope we do not begin penalizing our mid-eastern transplanted neighbors for the actions taken by radicals (like putting Japanese-American citizens in concentration camps like we did in World War II, or lynching German-American citizens like we did in World War I).

I really think it's time we all took a more global view of the world and evolve to a more compassionate and caring mode of thinking about the people around us. Whites are Not better than anyone else, Americans are not better than the 3rd world countries.

March 13,2002 - Well, I was more right than I wanted to be. Indeed, Arab-looking people are routinely stopped at airports and many people were arrested with no charges or evidence and held for MONTHS before being released. Friends and neighbors, be very thoughtful about what liberties you give away for the sake of "security" that is never going to be realized, because it is an illusion. Perhaps our "liberties" are an illusion, too!!