Democratic Train Wreck
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Mad men have hijacked the train of democracy, and the railroad tracks drop off several miles up ahead. Where is this train going? What can they hope to accomplish? Who benefits?
When evaluating the situation that has befallen the world over the past several years, one needs to look past blind patriotism and ask a few key questions. Why are we at war? Who benefits? Are we there to liberate the Iraqi people? Are we there to bring democracy to the region?
The brainwashed patriotic flag-waving ones among us will shout fervently and claim that we are there to liberate the Iraqi people and bring them democracy. Yet, not a day passes when we do not hear news of civilian casualties, crimes against humanity being committed against the population or wanton destruction of property. And yet, all of these are simply shrugged off as insignificant and unimportant - collateral damage! It wasn't Billy Bob's cousin or sister who had part of her face blown off, or Joe Bob's mother who was buried alive under a collapsed building, nor was it Lewayne's brother who was unlawfully detained in Abu Ghraib and tortured. But then again, it is no surprise that these individuals would tune out. The McDonalds Supersized fries are getting cold, and the next Football game is coming on. Why should they waste time on something as insignificant as human life?
So obviously we're not there to liberate the Iraqi people, or to bring them democracy. So much for point number one! You see, people have a hard time feeling liberated when there are bombs dropping on their families, their homes are being destroyed, or they are systematically shot by rabid, war crazed individuals driven by blood, heavy metal music and vengeance.
Ah, democracy! What is democracy again? Is it, by any chance, the strange notion that a government can be set up of the people, by the people and for the people? Wow! What an alien concept! You mean, democracy doesn't mean corporate control of a country's resources for the profit of a select few, while the majority starves?! You mean democracy does not mean forcing your will upon a people by means of a barrel of a gun? Just who are these strange fellows who wrote the concept of a government of the people, by the people and for the people? Surely they did not know what they were talking about! Or perhaps, is it at all possible that this institution may have become perverted to benefit those who would gain power by unscrupulous means and remain in power by any means necessary? Who would do such a thing! The flag waiving patriots are in deep shock, denial, and frothing at the mouth with accusations of "conspiracy theories" and "treason".
Yet, isn't that what democracy is supposed to be? The right to question? The God given ability to state what's on your mind and DISAGREE? Apparently not - You see, there is a price to democracy, and I believe that price is hovering at around $44 a barrel.
Where is this train going? What is the final destination? Only the Mad Men know - and the passengers are unwilling to find out.
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