Evading the American Reality

According to an article on the CNN website, the United States military force launched two air strikes on a Pakistani village. The strikes were reinforced with President Bush’s approval of invasions to go after terrorists in Pakistan without the consultation of Islamabad.

These unauthorized invasions into Pakistan to pursue potential terrorist threats are bolstered with good intent, but lack an essential diplomatic method. Since the attacks of September eleventh, our government has committed itself to abolishing global wide terrorist activity. This method of thinking seems commendable, but is it realistic? Is America solely responsible for the extermination of global wide terror? Why did we take this heavy burden upon ourselves? It was a choice clouded with misunderstanding and miscommunication. The American people believed our government had the correct information to act upon the current terrorist threat with swift efficiency. However, we have gone deeper into a trench that just keeps getting steeper. As a united front, America has regained balance since then, and now stands with a new passion for freedom.

America’s diplomacy sets the foundation for liberty and freedom. But as diplomacy remains disregarded through successive military attempts to rid the world of terror, there has been a reestablishment for the word, “freedom.” Freedom means more than free from the prejudices of race, religion, and sexuality. It declares a secure homeland free from the negative afflictions of an evil. A true evil that is more than just the workings of one man, but a mass of men working together to kill an idea. The American people make that idea a reality.

You're Right Jim

“Clinch and hold,” was the tactic of Barak Obama according to the CNN analyst. “Yes, you’re right,” Obama repeated as McCain continued to angrily defend the efficacy of the Iraq War. Over and over again Obama agreed with McCain’s claims. It was a smart tactic by Barak. If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. The polls had Obama slightly favored, but nothing was dramatically agreed upon. The media coverage of the Presidential Debate on CNN was truthful and honest.

It was an honest report of an honestly scripted debate. McCain was persistent about cutting ear marks that would amount to only about seventeen billion compared to our enormous seven hundred billion dollar Bailout Bill. Then Obama kept praising for funding new programs. Meanwhile, the question (which was rephrased about three times) was what programs when elected president would they cut. However, the answer would seize to split the ears of the American people. Needless to say, it was quite fun to hear Barak repeatedly insist that McCain’s first name was Jim and not John. I think Obama was trying to tell us that John looks more like a Jim if you squint your eyes with disgust long enough. Subsequently, my eyes were wide open as I anxiously waited for the foreign policy questions. Luckily, they only discussed it for about fifteen minutes and by then I had already made the decision that maybe both of these guys are too busy with their own campaigns to bring up the foreign policy issues facing America in regards to Venezuela manufacturing oil or Africa’s unstable nations. Then again, the Iraq War is certainly a pressing topic.

All in all, the Vice Presidential Debate should be a bit more intriguing and possibly more revealing. Maybe they’ll fire into a heated debate about the failing of the Bailout Bill?

Remember to Succeed

An article was released from “USA Today” concerning the short-lived success of our American gymnasts. As explained in this article, these American success stories inevitably retire and pursue other interests such as singing (Carly Patterson), motivational speaking (Mary Lou Retton), and television analysis (Shannon Miller). There exists, however, something more that we as human beings forget after time lessens the feeling after the medal moment. We fail to remember the super hero commitment exerted day in and day out by these individuals to accomplish a dream. We fail to remember a greater idea. We succeed in remembering that moment, but not the message. If we could aspire to greatness, like these athletes, like these individuals, and solidify our minds on a goal, we too could achieve something worth talking about. Achievements that beg to question the realistic boundaries once we conquer the superficial ones that we create for ourselves.

These athletes win numerous medals and receive a plethora of media coverage for the next few weeks while back in America, however, after those weeks have surpassed their successes become as forgotten as yesterday’s breakfast. I am not proclaiming that their success should be measured by a constant flow of concern by fellow onlookers, but rather a gradual shift of perspective. These athletes commit themselves as hard as any pure driven individual to that certain dream goal, and that should be glorified. In the end, we as individuals can either accept these medals as just mere trophies in America’s trophy case, or as a an idea, symbolizing the power of a committed individual with an ongoing purpose.