Sitting Ducks, Pt. 3: Johnny Got His Gun
It's a beautiful night,
We're looking for something dumb to do
--Marry You, Bruno Mars
We knew you would leave because you could leave.
We lived here; we couldn’t leave
--Vietnamese diplomat to Robert McNamara_______________________
Upon seeing a recent photo of the M240 and the M-249 machine guns with which we are arming the Afghan National Army, Ranger returned to the 50% poverty rate of Athens County, Ohio, home of Ohio University, a small town remembered in its better times over 40 years ago.
Two of these weapons cost almost as much as the annual income of the folks of Athens Co. Why did we give an enema of democracy to those who do not love us in Afghanistan, giving away weapons to people who will never defend democracy or add to the security of Americans dancing on the edge of the volcano that is poverty.
It is hard to understand how the good folks of Athens will benefit by this huge outlay of materiel. But the boys still love to get the plastic guns at Walmart, preparing for their role in the grand drama. It is hard to see what all of this outlay will buy for Athens, aside from some more names for a war memorial; perhaps a few more families who can feel conflicted about the good their family's ultimate sacrifice has achieved.
When we leave, as we will, it will be as it was when the Army of Vietnam fell. There the U.S. left behind 22,000 M60 machine guns, which were then flung worldwide into various camps hostile to U.S. interests.
Thank you, Uncle Sam.
Labels: afghanistan, athens county, democracy, poverty, PWOT
posted by rangeragainstwar at 8:56 AM
3 Comments:
I didn't realize machine guns are so expensive.
Small potatoes though compared to the billions we're are giving Pakistan, with which the Pak.s arm the Taliban and with which the Taliban use to kill our troops right now, today.
Thank you uncle sam indeed.
avedis
But the JOBS, Ranger, think of the good jobs here, somewhere.
Speaking of machine guns, I saw a picture recently that just haunts me. Like that iconic picture of the Spanish fighter getting hit by a bullet and still standing.
http://www.fotoart.gr/istoria/onephotoonestory/spanish.jpg
Here's the pic, from a FB page called "Military Veterans Who Support "Occupy Wall Street Protest" . . . .
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/293479_255000571269497_2057357125_n.jpg
"I took this picture during a fire-fight in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on Christmas Eve 2008. The British Royal Marine holding the ammunition is Lance Corporal Ben Whatley. He was killed in action a few minutes after this picture was taken.
Before I went to Afghanistan, I would read a casualty report, and it would just words. And would only last a few seconds in my head. After Afghanistan, I looked at casualty reports on TV differently. It is more than just words. But like many Americans, it doesn't affect my daily lifestyle, and is what it is - words. Don't forget those who gave all.
Americans know war all too well. They are sick of it and go on with their daily lives - they are sick of hearing about the deaths of young men and women. But it is more than just words. It is death, ruined families, carnage, chaos, destruction and sadness. They are extremely tragic events, regarding combat and war, but turn into a simple declarative sentence scrolling on the bottom of the nightly news. -- JR"
bb
bb, since you've shown an interest in the outcome, misdemeanor and 72 hrs community service. Too sympathetic a defendant for the prosecutor to relish putting before a jury on a BS law, but who wants to risk a mandatory min prison sentence if things went south?
avedis
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