The War Dogs...

The disappearance of many native Americans tribal cultures,
provides stark evidence of genocides which have
occurred in the short history of American culture.

We may not have had ovens... but we did have death marches
and an "open season" on Native Americans which did destroy whole
cultures.

Our young nation's groping for adulthood has been steeped in
Genocide, Slavery, Arrogance, and Intolerance. But when the
chips are down, revolutionary spirits have risen to the task
of challenging these forces as contrary to our most sacred
trusts..

Martin reminded us to protect our constitution and Bill of Rights.
While the ugly genocide perpetrated against native Americans and
overt slavery are both "behind us," this does not mean they have
disappeared.

They are baggage we carry. And as long as we remember the lessons
learned, we can move forward to more progressive and compassionate
ground. Denial of this mixed legacy serves no useful purpose. The
current right-wing fringe which controls our nation seems obsessed
witih denial.

~The war in Iraq is "going well," in spite of 700 thousand dead,
hundreds of billions wasted, millions of refugees dispossessed,|
and the loss of our reputation, credibility, and honor.

~Our economy is "doing just fine," in spite of having been crippled
debt for the next half century, while we see net job losses, lower
pay, reduced benefits, raids on pensions, rampant corruption, no-bid
cost-plus contracts on our people, and attacks on unions and working
people which are beyond the pale.

~We are "winning," by surrendering to using our troops as mercenaries
to enforce a corporate occupation and exploitation of Iraq. We should
"support" our troops by abandoning them as targets in an ill-conceived
neo-colonialist corporate agenda for occupation.

War is not Peace. Crippling Debt is not prosperity. Subversion of the
constitution is not necessary. And toture, murder, rape, and rendition
should be roundly condemed. Facts remain.

Tim