Mumias Kolumnen
aktuell
Honor Rallies, After War
[col. writ. 8/29/10] (c)
'10 Mumia Abu-Jamal
Huge flags are unfurled,
and leading national voices call for patriotism, and more honor for the nation's
troops.
God is invoked on behalf of nationalism, and militarism.
What seems unsaid, under hoopla and song, is the quiet suspicion that perhaps
the military may have been engaged in something dishonorable. Else, why the
rally?
As the U.S. combat role in Iraq appears to be winding down, few
can call the war a wise option; fewer still can claim it made the U.S., or the
region, safer or more stable.
Many years ago, at the close of World War
I, Germany's veterans returned, bitter and resentful about their loss, and the
nation's plummeting economy. They also stung from the humiliation imposed on
Germany by their victors in the Treaty of Versailles.
As a direct
response, vets groups and right wing forces staged mass pro-military
demonstrations, praising them, calling for more honor for the troops, more
national unity, and more faith in German arms and God.
These rallies,
called Volkstauertag (or National Day of Mourning) so strengthened the hand of
the right that several decades later it led to the rise of the Nazis, an new
World War, and global carnage. As they marched across Europe, many Nazis had the
words 'Gott mit uns' emblazoned on their belt buckles. It meant 'God is With Us'
in German.
Question: what is more honorable; a soldier who blindly obeys
his political (or military) leaders, and commits atrocities; or one who refuses
to follow improper, illegal or inhumane orders?
Which one will receive
medals, and which one will receive punishment?
Which soldier truly brings
honor to the nation?
--(c) '10 maj
MAD NATION
[col. writ. 8/29/10]
(c) '10 Mumia Abu-Jamal
When people are outraged,
angry, or at their wit's end, politicians are abuzz with excitement; for it is
precisely at this time when people are at their mercy; and politicians are at
their most powerful.
For a people under such a spell can be lead to do
almost anything.
In New York today, and various other cities across the
U.S., throngs of angry and scared people are being whipped like cream by
politicians and media to take their emotions out on places of worship.
What riles them is that this is a Muslim religious and cultural complex.
Islam did not attack the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001. 19 men from several countries
did.
No country sanctioned it, not even the leaders of Afghanistan at the
time.
But thanks to the media and their political whores, we are in a
tizzy about something supposedly guaranteed by the U.S. constitution.
Fear sells....and anger sells, and before you know it, people are in the grips
of madness.
Seven and 1/2 years ago, feelings such as these led to
mindless and disastrous wars.
What will this lead to?
--(c) '10
maj