Ok, I this song "Cheney's Toy" is a new release by a guy named James Mcmurtry. I was introduced to his music a few weeks back by my little brother Mark. I like this song and the video in that it provokes me to think more about something that no one likes to talk about. So tonight, this little post, is my place to share those contemplations and the paradoxes that life hangs before us. I will start out by saying that I have never served in the military and I do not think that I have the ability to speak for the thoughts or minds of a soldier. I have the utmost respect for any member of my countries armed services and am in fact, grateful for the sacrifice they make whether in life or in death for the stars and stripes that are the Red, White and Blue. I look at the world like you would look at a row of cages filled with dogs and puppies at your local animal rescue facility. Each country of our world would be a different dog, with different histories, some that have been abused by others, some that are resilient and have aged well with time, some that are young and fledgling, and a handful of leaders that fight their way to the front and battle for pre-eminence. I think that if I was required to serve in any military in the world during my lifetime, I would still choose the United States military in spite of its flaws.
I am still proud to be an American, what being an American was originally intended to be - FREE.
I don't know that I would call our soldier's Cheney's toys myself, that rubs up against a fence in my book. They are still individual people and the stark reality of being a soldier is that all the plans for the future of that person's life, may never see fruition. There is no way to sugar coat war, and I am no fan of war and have no more desire for there to be war in our world than any other normal person. I do however believe that we are not one big happy world, and whether America is the bully in the kennel or the sick runt in the back of the cage, I hope it never stops being prepared to protect itself from the those enemies that would like to send us off to be put away.
I will not go into opinions on the War in Iraq. I pray for all of our soldiers, for their protection, for some hope in the midst of chaos, and for a final safe return to the home that awaits them. One that I hope will welcome everysingle one of them with the love, respect and honor they have rightly earned.
Thank a soldier today, you will be surprised how good it feels and he/she may just need the support! Peace