What Next ?

I've come to the conclusion that focusing on current events serves only a transient need. The dynamic nature of world politics renders my articles very quickly irrelevant. The only benefit of retaining the old posts is for the personal satisfaction of saying (to myself) "I told you so." Then followed by a frown or grimace, shaking my head, "too bad no one listens". So I am going to migrate to a focus on philosophical subjects, hopefully of a more enduring nature, though equally irrelevant in the eyes of the majority.

On the international front, the truth is coming out gradually, as it always does. The problem is, most people have a selective memory of even the most recent history; thus opinions tend to represent a "knee-jerk" reaction to an event from a warped perspective; or more likely just a repetition of something heard down at the barbershop or local tavern. Did you ever notice that when somebody makes a statement in an authoritative tone it is usually accepted as fact? In other words, If he talks like a tough guy, he must be right.

The following would surprise some who might have assumed I have a "liberal" bent.

1. I am opposed to withdrawal of troops from Iraq, or even publishing a timetable for such, anytime soon, for essentially the same reasons I was opposed to going to war. From the outset, my position was that the cost was too great for what was at stake. My position is also based on what I heard referred to as the pottery barn principle: "we broke it, now we own it." It would be a terrible injustice to the Iraqi people, and to the rest of the world, if we were to withdraw before the new government and military were cable of keeping the peace. I do believe that since we created the mess, we need to stay there until we can turn things over in a manageable state.

2. I am in favor of re-activating the military draft. I could be persuaded into substituting another type of national service for those who are not able or suited for military service. I believe that mandatory service would be beneficial to the vast majority of conscriptees, providing discipline and instilling a sense of national identity. I also believe that with more at stake, the general populace would be less apt to favor war if other options were available. When deliberating a decision to go to war, each citizen should ask himself "Is it worth [me or a family member] dying for?"

I like to believe that I am a patriot, and a pragmatist. Our nation, as would any, must put our interests first, but in a global context with respect for human dignity.