Evolution

I know we may look pretty strange to you
But we got know how and a golden rule
We're here to see manifest destiny through
Ain't nothing we can't get used to
--Humans from Earth, T Bone Burnett

People don't change.
Only their costumes do
--Gene Moore

We would rather be ruined than changed;
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die.
--W.H. Auden
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Ranger will celebrate the advent of the New Year by doing a whirlwind recap of themes, events and interesting miscellania (to us) covered here at RangerAgainstWar. (This is also a six-year anniversary post for RAW):

• We love America, but we do not believe that the U.S. has the answers to all the world's problems. We often have the wrong answers because we ask the wrong questions based upon false assumptions.

• Freedom isn't free! (But not in the War Hawk sense). The wars are not about our freedoms. We already have it, and should be vigilant to protect it rather than eager to erode it; instead, both sides of the political aisle are complicit in the latter project. Freedom is overdrawn and now paying late fees. It is also overstated, leading us into both moral and financial bankruptcy.

• The Warrior State is criminal insanity, as is the Phony War on Terror (PWOT ©)

• The elective invasions of nations is aggressive war

• Counterinsurgency (COIN) is based in un-American concepts

• Terrorism is not warfare

• Rights are not rights if they can be ignored, abridged, suspended or otherwise infringed upon

• Civilian police forces are being militarized

• The bank bailouts were the greatest white collar crime perpetrated in this nation's history (Bernie Madoff should be knighted Secretary of Treasury).

• Both mainstream political parties are unresponsive to the will and welfare of The People

• The act of voting has become an ends rather than a means of democratic action

• The Department of Defense (DoD) has become the 4th branch of government

__________________________

Here were some of RAW's predictions:

• We opposed Obama because it was apparent from the get-go that Hope and Change were empty slogans that do not translate into policy; they were sugary pap parading as wholesome food for a hungry republic. Alas, rhetoric is not leadership.

• Obomba is George W. Bush in blackface

• The War on Terror - Overseas Contingency Operations - Operation Iraqi Freedom - Operation Enduring Freedom - Generational Forever War on Terror did not make us safer

• Al-Qaeda lacked the operational assets to commit a follow-on attack. This, rather than our military operations, is why there have been no additional significant attack scenarios. If they had the assets, they would employ them!

• The deaths of our soldiers in the past 10 years is deplorable and despicable as they are lost not for the survival of their nation, in toto

• No terrorist of any significance has ever made it to an open and transparent trial

• The Arab Spring did not develop to the U.S.'s benefit

• The 2012 Presidential race will not address the key issues facing the nation. Instead, we will be treated to more smoke and mirrors

• We The People are less important to our national leaders than are the citizens of Afghanistan and Iraq. They get preferential dibs on the disbursement of the federal budget

• Patriotism ≠ godliness
  

Ranger's sorry he is such a negative Nelly Cassandra, but that's just how the last few years have panned out, per the politico-military-financial arenas. Unfortunately, we are not TinyBuddha, and can't offer constructive spins on the destruction we see.

Draining work this vaticination, and we wouldn't do it without the sense of community that has developed at this site. We don't Occupy Wall Street nor do we throw tea into the harbor (Palm Bay?), but we have our small niche of the blogosphere and know how to conduct a mobile defense. It would be appropriate to list our friends by name, but they may step forward if they wish to be recognized. To them, thanks for providing flank security.

We -- both Lisa and myself -- devote good effort to keep this forum on track and on-message. Despite our best efforts to inspire spirited yet civil dialog, we have found that many people prefer to shoot the messenger rather than address the message. We have faith that one day, the arrow of The Enlightenment will pierce everyone's consciousness.

Ranger has lost several friends over the last six years; gone, but not forgotten. One early supporter must be recognized -- Lurch (John) of the defunct Main and Central blog. We were overcome with his generosity of praise and direction in the early days.

Lurch was a curmudgeonly gentleman who taught us in the ways of netiquette: "When at someone's blog, you are in his living room; comport yourselves accordingly, and expect the same." He also warned of the imminent attacks upon one with the temerity to use a military title AND and be somewhat liberal. Though John's long been dropped from the morning reports, we will always remember him fondly and hope to see him when the mission's complete we get counted back into the ORP.

Thanks to all for your support, friendship and continued participation. Let's see what we can do in 2012.