SocraticGadfly: Lost leg and lost brains – Political cluelessness

April 10, 2008

Lost leg and lost brains – Political cluelessness

I am not denigrating the courage of career Marine Sgt. William “Spanky” Gibson , who is returning to Iraq after having his lower left leg amputated. Nor am I denigrating his stereotypical Marine loyalty to the Corps.

I am challenging his political and international affairs brainpower, though:
“This is where we were 232 years ago as a new nation,” he once said. “Now they're starting a new nation, and that's one of my big reasons for coming back here.”

No, we did not have multiple killing-level religious conflicts 232 years ago. No, we did not have central government so weak that the Articles of Confederation would seem like the acme of centralized government. No, we did not have rampant daylight kidnappings. No, we did not have shakedowns and bribery for government services. No, we did not have neighboring countries trying to manipulate factions in a civil war.

Other than that. Sgt. Gibson, yes, Iraq 2008 is exactly like America 1776. Congraluations for chugging a double shot of Bush Kool-Aid.

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