Patriotism and Disaster

Katrina is yet another casualty of BushCheney’s Iraq adventure. National Guard and regular forces are not available for rescue, security and other essential emergency services. According to today's Washington Post, 40 percent of Mississippi’s Guard units are in Iraq. You can bet the those soldiers wish they were home to do the job they signed up for. The rest of the state’s force, about 8,000 Guardsmen, has been called up. Even the band unit. Many of these soldiers have served in Iraq. Another call-up is no doubt a burden, but I am sure these soldiers are proud and willing to serve in this emergency. Whatever hardship and risk they endure, their efforts will benefit their community

If the war in Iraq was actually protecting the nation and world from terrorism instead of creating chaos, hatred and instability that breeds terrorism, maybe Guardsmen would be proud to serve their nation there too. But their efforts are wasted, through no fault of their own. Their commander-in-chief led them into a situation he did not understand and cannot control. At best they will come home with their lives and the hope that the military service actually did their nation some good. I wish them well in finding the value in the results of their service.

This in no way denigrates or disregards their bravery, skill and dedication. Regardless of the mission, the soldiers who carry it out demonstrate the highest commitment to their nation. As individuals, these true patriots can stand proud. That’s hard to do when you see that it was all for naught or very little gain. The results of BushCheney’s war of choice will be yet another version of the Mideast Strongman (or Party, at least until, the top thug emerges), a large portion of Iraq’s oil reserves under Iranian influence and a persistent, destabilizing insurgency. The formula for this train wreck is a combination of Iraq history and the Kurd/Shi’a self-interest written into the draft constitution. Oh yeah, there were no weapons of mass destruction poised to attack anyone, much less US targets. Not much result for all that blood and treasure.

So now these soldiers who joined the to serve their country are left with the legacy of combat, the hatred, hostility and loss of humanity needed to destroy other humans and their homes. These soldiers, will have to answer some hard questions. They did what their nation asked. They became killers and destroyers to what end. Not one of them would question the need for their sacrifice if America was attacked. But what’s the point of their service in Iraq? Each soldier will someday ask, “Why did I kill?” “Why did I become this inhuman destroyer?” “Why did my friends die?” And the only answer will be that THEIR COUNTRY ASKED THEM. Soldiers serve from a sense of duty, a desire to help community and nation. They serve at the direction of leaders who also have a sacred duty. Leaders must understand and respect the that patriotism and sacrifice. They must use it wisely.

BushCheney has been anything but wise. Their victims now include Louisiana, Mississippi and the other areas ravaged by Katrina.

(Update 09.02: This link is not the exact story quoted here but it conveys similar information.)