I would really enjoy gloating to my Republican friends in the wake of the recent election, but before I can truly enjoy the fact that I saw the writing on the wall while they turned a blind eye, I am reminded of the same, sad state of affairs the country is currently in. At some point along the way, while I was enraged by the many appalling directions our Government was taking, my desire for a Democratic victory in the mid-terms became driven more by spite for the corrupt, elitists and hypocritical evangelicals than for the actual mismanagement and misuse of American trust. So now, that the celebrations have ended and the dust has settled - at least somewhat - I am sobered by the fact that we are still in a misdirected war and are left to choose only the best of several bad options. Ironically, that fact seems to mirror most of our recent elections, but I digress.
Whether for true and faithful correlation or simply a matter of journalistic convenience there were many parallels drawn - moreso than usual - to the Vietnam war in tonights cable newscasts. While people have been ringing that bell for a while, there seems to be a peak in the intensity and frequency with which it is spoken about. Granted the President was actually in Vietnam today giving a speech… so you decide. Motive aside, one stark difference that stands out in my mind is the fact that we didn’t start the Vietnam war. While I don’t want to turn this into a debate about ideologies (preemptive war to preserve the peace, etc…) I think our (Bush’s) catalyzing of the current conflict is an important fact in this current war debate. It’s one thing to get involved in a Civil war and realize your ignorance and retreat, but quite another to start a war, recognize your error and then do the military equivalent of claiming “oops, my bad…” and leave a country in disarray.
This is where I part with some of the Dems that have been suggesting we leave right away - maybe not in those exact words, but some very diplomatic speak for basically the same premise. Whether you believe it was for better or for worse, we’ve created an enormous mess that we are responsible for cleaning up. Ironically, one of the people that argued fervently for this war, Colin Powell, is notably quoted as having said “You break it, you own it.”
Well, it is broken, and maybe it can be fixed, but if I’ve learned anything from this last election, it won’t be through politicized and vitriolic speeches. It will only come through a decisive return to sanity in which all views are equally considered. Where the dissenting voice won’t be ostracized and then muted. Where there is an actual debate and not simply a shouting match of talking points.
I remain cautiously optimistic that we have now finally seen the error of our divisive ways and can come together as Americans to make the right decisions on which so many lives hang.
If I’m wrong - and believe me the cynic in me is chomping at the bit - then neither side, Republican nor Democrat will have much to celebrate about.
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