War of Convenience

When is war good for the American left? War is good when it fits into the scope of revenge and would make a good movie. War is good when it is quick and clean. War is good when the President is a Democrat. First, in the days following September 11, the Hollywood community reacted by raising money and being part of any “cause event” that would generate interest. While some, if not most musicians felt they could contribute in healing ways and honor the victims of the terrorists (or Freedom Fighters if your on the left) cowardly act, the Hollywoodites just appeared to get some face time on camera. Why do I feel this way? Perhaps because the actors showcased have not been as generous with their time since these benefits. Have we seen George Clooney, Julia Roberts, or the myriad other stars doing anything remotely close to promoting the daily grind of the everyday soldier? With the possible exception of Tom Hanks, have these actors even attempted to rally the troops as the glitterati did during WW II? George Clooney had perhaps his greatest role as a soldier during the Gulf War. Alec Baldwin (is he still here) had his breakout role as a CIA operative in The Hunt For Red October. Is war only good if it’s on film and you get a lot of lines and exposure?

Secondly, during the “clean” actions such as the events in Bosnia or the launching of missiles into unmanned training camps and pharmaceutical factories the elite passed these off as acceptable. I didn’t hear much executive branch admonishment when these events occurred. I remember the Hollywood line as being all about the plight of the ethnically cleansed. Where were the “progressive” women groups when we were liberating women who hadn’t seen the sun through anything but a sheet of cloth for 5 years? If no soldiers get hurt and we accomplish nothing but start more inter-ethnic feuding, is this a just action?

Lastly, The media and the celebrity machine have been pumping out the usual rhetoric. We will get ourselves into a quagmire as the Soviets did. We will not topple Saddam without using 300,000 troops. We must not anger the Europeans. This is backward thinking when what we need are forward focused and serious officials. The policies must be well thought out and encompass a long-range strategy that ensures the terrorists know we are dead serious. They understand two things, power and fear. For far too long, we have not projected this scenario. The rest of the world will have to join us or stand aside. It is sad that we had to wait to get a man in office that feels the same as the majority of our citizens.

Perhaps, after eight years of telling Americans what the government thinks we can handle. We have a Chief Executive who tells us the truth and trusts we can handle it. The difference is enlightening for most of us and frightening for some.


  posted by Scott @ 11:22 AM