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

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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.