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Re: Saturday, April 24, 2004
Doc, you write >>I think the administration's concerns for the bereaved are heartfelt and legitimate. But it's also hard to deny the policy's political benefits.<< Surely you jest. This administration has a heart for nothing but what fattens their wallets and their imperial resolve to "change the world" by foisting democracy (or what they consider "proper" democracy) on a traditionally theocratic people. "Peace through War" and "Democracy by Force" seem like the internal slogans of the Bush administration. They want the oil revenues, and to create a paper tiger in Iraq as the US once had in the Shah's Iran. It would be an entirely different discussion if we wanted to consider balance of power, a stronghold in an Arabic country in the region, and the ideal location for a bevy of American troops. But that is not the discussion of the moment. The Administration is banning media coverage of the fallen soldiers' remains because this is an election year and that makes for bad press. Smells a little like Viet Nam, doesn't it? This administration wants to keep the bad news off of the living room TV screen. This is an administration that holds and accuses both citizens of the US and foreign nationals without allowing them representation or communications. This is a regime that hides behind proclamations of "faith based" initiative while conducting unholy acts on those it chooses to hold at fault or as a threat to its imperial perpetuity. We should not be in a position to make or even discuss a "pictures or notices" choice. American troops are dying by the day, and even greater numbers are wounded. Why is this information anything other than public? Are these the secret troops of a secret war? Is there some covert operation that none of us should know about, except for Condoleezza Rice, since she is the National Security Advisor? An administration that prevents the public from knowing the truths and casualties of war is an administration that is not to be trusted. The only choice we face is next November, when this administration should be shown the door.
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