War Culture

How long can we keep up this culture of war?

The vice-president predicts another 30 years of war on terror. Like the war on drugs, this "war" is difficult to define and can mean almost anything the speaker wishes it to mean.

How long will our country survive? Not 30 years. Violence has a trickle-down effect. Like the young boys who died trying to emulate Saddam Hussein's execution. What happens to a generation raised on war? Can they know peace? Are they able to understand?

This country is becoming increasingly violent. For years there have been cities and smaller urban areas of high crime. But it's spreading. More murders. More anger. More violent reactions to simple infractions which used to be solved with words or perhaps fists. Now they are addressed with guns and knives.

In addition, how do the leaders of this country think they can continue to perpetrate violent acts on innocent people of the world and escape unscathed. I don't want to say this, but there will be repercussions for American aggression. The chickens will come home to roost.

Our leaders have failed to study history. Any type of history--American, European, World. If they had, they would know that violence begets violence. And no aggressor escapes punishment. Not Rome. Not Germany--either under Wilhelm or Hitler. And not the United States.

It's time for intelligent leadership. That would be the best result of the 2008 elections. But I won't hold my breath.