Afghan children feared the clear blue sky because that meant the American drones would be out. When I learned that, I felt like I did reading All Quiet on the Western Front for a few chapters before realizing that Paul is German, one of the supposed bad guys. But in reverse. Ever since I learned what we did to kids' sunny days in Afghanistan, I've felt like we were the terrorists.
War is statecraft for USA. The presidents wage wars, have been doing that for decades because weapon sales and oil mines literally keep the economy going. Whoever thinks otherwise is just kidding themselves. There’s no sovereignty that the USA fights for but the sovereignty of the economic well being of a handful of capitalists that run the country and most of the world as well. The Iranian regime is evil, yes, but so is Isreal, USA, Russia, and whoever perpetuate widespread war and suffering.
Thank you for this brilliant essay Michael. The end vision of a dove flying out into the sky is what keeps me going in this broken world!
100%, I know that it's been this while for a while (possibly forever?) but I'm a bit shocked by how the U.S. isn't even pretending to have a good excuse for why this war needs to happen. It feels so different than back in 2003 when Bush spent over a year preparing people for that war. I'm a bit heartened that so many Americans are against this war, but then again it only really matters if that puts enough pressure on the administration, which is the problem at the moment!
Afghan children feared the clear blue sky because that meant the American drones would be out. When I learned that, I felt like I did reading All Quiet on the Western Front for a few chapters before realizing that Paul is German, one of the supposed bad guys. But in reverse. Ever since I learned what we did to kids' sunny days in Afghanistan, I've felt like we were the terrorists.
this is perfectly put, Jake!
War is statecraft for USA. The presidents wage wars, have been doing that for decades because weapon sales and oil mines literally keep the economy going. Whoever thinks otherwise is just kidding themselves. There’s no sovereignty that the USA fights for but the sovereignty of the economic well being of a handful of capitalists that run the country and most of the world as well. The Iranian regime is evil, yes, but so is Isreal, USA, Russia, and whoever perpetuate widespread war and suffering.
Thank you for this brilliant essay Michael. The end vision of a dove flying out into the sky is what keeps me going in this broken world!
100%, I know that it's been this while for a while (possibly forever?) but I'm a bit shocked by how the U.S. isn't even pretending to have a good excuse for why this war needs to happen. It feels so different than back in 2003 when Bush spent over a year preparing people for that war. I'm a bit heartened that so many Americans are against this war, but then again it only really matters if that puts enough pressure on the administration, which is the problem at the moment!
Commenting from the GCC---currently suffering retaliation attacks due to the US's war on Iran---thank you for this piece.
Reem, I hope you're doing ok. Will be keeping you in my thoughts
Thank you. Your heart and mind went into this and we are all the better for it.
<3 thank you Ellen