Nuclear-tipped Words

There seems to be a new wind of political correctness blowing across the fruited plain. Patriotism, homeland security, war on terrorism, democracy, and support our troops; all of these words or phrases appear to have taken on new meanings, especially since the beginning of the war in Iraq. They are powerful, emotional words and are often wielded to quell any doubts about the war or any dissent about our current foreign policy.

But, then when I think about it maybe they have been used before. It seems, boys and girls, that there was this other war a few years ago that was-how should we say it-less than 100% popular. “Homeland security” was called “national security” back then, but the rest are familiar catchwords or phrases that were used by the supporters of that war.

I had my doubts about the justification for this war from the first shot being fired. I was suspicious of the vague evidence given of the presence of weapons of mass destruction and even more suspicious of the claim that Iraq had any direct connections to the terrorist group that had hurt us so badly on September 11th. We have since learned that my suspicions were justified.

Let’s go back to the WMD’s for just a moment. I am aware of several nations that are known to possess weapons of mass destruction and are not generally counted among our friends or allies. Do we plan to invade them? Some of them have dictators or repressive regimes that are just as ruthless as Saddam Hussein. Does that qualify them as targets for invasion? Come to think of it, who is the only country to have actually used nuclear weapons in war?

Now, I’ve done it. I have stepped on the toes of those that like to pull the patriotism card. I have criticized my country during a time of war. But, that is where they are wrong.

What they don’t know is that I was a soldier. I served my country honorably during the cold war on the front lines of the “frontier of freedom” and the “war on terrorism”. They also do not understand that I would be there with the young men fighting and dying today if I was not past the age of enlistment. I even trained some of the troops that are there today and I have a bond with them that most of my critics would not understand or appreciate.