Where Are You? ~ Afghanistan Commentary

You have learned nothing! We, the Hippies gave you the template for change in America, and you seem to have lost it! The Hippies were in the forefront of social and political change in this country, we were a paramount force in ending segregation and implementing civil rights in this country. We helped with getting equal rights for women. When America became embroiled in a VERY BAD war in Vietnam, it was the Hippies that brought the end to it. We wrote the book on social change. AND WE DID IT ALL PEACEFULLY! The Hippies were a powerful and influential movement that changed this country, and you FORGOT! Look at the history of the 60's and the 70's, look at what young people did for all of you. Where are you? You people who see the way things have become ugly, and simply sit in front of your "X-BOX" and complain. You're pathetic!

Once again, America is involved in undeclared war, not just A WAR, but three! Afghanistan, Iraq and now, Libya are all theaters of military conflict. War has never been declared, but we are there none the less. Why are we there? We went into Afghanistan because, we were told, we were going after a terrorist organization, Osama and his group of international terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center in New York. More than a decade later, we are still there, and he is still roaming free. And to make matters even more absurd, the CIA reports that only 50 members of his organization are still in Afghanistan. Most people suspect that he fled to Pakistan YEARS ago. So, I ask again, what are we doing there? What is our objective? And what is the American taxpayer getting for spending more than ten years at war at a cost that staggers the mind?

Most estimates claim that it is costing the American taxpayer 2 billions dollars each week to continue this absurdity. That is 104 billion dollars each year! But that is NOT the entire cost. Since this war is not part of the national budget, we are using the peoples credit card! And we all know that there are interest charges compounded on borrowed money. But, but, but ~ there is more ~ OH YES! That is the military cost only. We also have a "Private Mercenary Army" there, BLACKWATER, and the cost for them is not included in that 2 billion dollars, nor is the expense incurred for the rest of the government. How many thousands of man hours a week are being used by the rest of the government? Congress with it's army of aids and flunkies, accounting office people, etc., are all spending your money to keep this fiasco afloat. This is your money!

How many of our men and women have died there? How many have had life altering injuries? Men and women, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors have been killed and will continue to be killed until we are out of there. Current polls show that 70% of you want America out of this war. But you sit there, silent as a stone, and WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO SAY SOMETHING! You sit on your collective fat American asses, whining about everything and doing nothing.

Change only comes when people speak out you fools! If you want change, you have to do something about it. If you are religious, start preaching change from the pulpit. If you are a student, start talking about it on campus. If you are a taxpayer, start using your vote to bring about change, or better yet, run for an office on a platform of change! Whoever and whatever you are, talk it up wherever people gather. Change does not happen when you ask for it, it happens when you DEMAND IT. Quit wallowing in pity and start showing some Backbone.

Look at history and learn from the Hippies of yesterday. PEACEFUL, but forceful protest is a very powerful force. Remember it if you are one who forgot, learn it if you haven't heard of it, but do it, and do it now.