Throughout the day, I have heard McCain's proclamation that he would rather win the war than win the presidency. I cringed every time I heard it because the images of of a war-torn land, displace families, wounded, dying, and dead Americans and Iraqis, and mayhem entered my minds eye. I ask, win the war? At what price? For what result? And what constitutes a "win" in Iraq?
McCain has often been characterized as a war-monger and his obsession with winning the war in Iraq could certainly be considered further evidence of this characteristic. But, I think not. I say this, not in jest, but in real concern for a human being who - in my opinion - is suffering from a type of self-loathing much akin to Lt. Dan in Forrestt Gump. As you might recall, Lt. Dan was from a military family. In fact, Lt. Dan's fraternal military ancestry could be traced from the Revolutionary War to World War II. Dan felt that it was not only his destiny - but his "right and privilege" to die a soldier's death - as his ancestors before him - in combat during the Viet Nam War. When his life was saved by Forrestt, he felt cheated of his destiny.
What does that have to do with McCain you ask? McCain, unlike his own military ancestral line in the wars prior to Viet Nam, saw very little combat spending 5 years in a POW camp. While It is reported - and one should suspect - that at any given moment McCain could have feared for his life - he was not exposed to the ground war, potential for hand to hand combat, land mines, sniper fire, and the like. In addition, he is unable, unlike his forefathers, boast with pride of being a soldier in an honorable war in which America was victorious.
I believe that this war in Iraq, represents to McCain a way in which he can re-write his military biography. A biography must end with Americans returning home amid thousands of confetti throwing citizens cheering a victorious end to the war. And while, he himself can't go into combat, he is willing to continue to sacrifice the lives of young American men and women for a victory for his own self-fillment.
But, I ask you. What exactly does winning the war mean? Does it mean that Iraq truly becomes a non-secular democracy? Does it mean that Iraq returns to be a sovereign government? Does it mean that Iraq will be an ally against Iran or Korea? Does it mean that Iran will become a friend of Israel? Does it mean that Al-Qaida or the Taliban will not attack American and if they do, Iraq will come to our assistance? Or does victory mean that we get their oil and maintain a military presence in that region?
Perhaps if I knew the answer to these questions, I would be less inclined to believe that Senator McCain, the Republican Nominee for the President of the United States, is because of his own self-loathing trying to make every aspect of his Viet Nam service (or lack there of) right in his own mind. But, until then, I guess that I'll keep thinking that he is delusional at best or a war-monger at worst.
Speak the Truth!
Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old SjP ain't got nothing more to say.
Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old SjP ain't got nothing more to say.
This entry was posted
at Wednesday, July 23, 2008
and is filed under
american tragedy,
politically speaking
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