About a year ago, I decided it was time to chill. Time to
take a change. When it came to discussing or writing things political, it was
time to simply throw in the proverbial towel, and stop being mad as hell.
With all of the amusements and distractions on
television, not to mention the ever inept MSM (mainstream media), it would be
easy to tune out. With places to travel, plans to make, and life to live,
doing all of that in a constant state of pissiness was becoming a drag. From
now on, I told myself, when the subject of politics, the war, and Dubya came
up, I would declare myself to be SO over it. My garage door was officially
down. I would now simply be Resigned As Hell.
Last week, as I faithfully read the latest copy of The
Flyer, I scanned Chris Herrington’s review of the movie No End
in Sight. The movie, a documentary on the invasion and occupation of Iraq,
sounded interesting, but like something that would appeal to those who are
still venting and irked about the state of affairs. Superbad or The
Simpson’s Movie would be a better choice for someone who is calm, cool,
and over with politics. After all, when you are Resigned As Hell, the last
thing you want to do is to get all hot and bothered about Bush, the war, etc.,
etc.
Labor Day, fall’s official entry, is marked by Americans
with a last swim, some school shopping, and a chance to see that blockbuster
you’ve missed all summer. Like many, I decided it was time to catch a flick.
Call it a change of season, or something in the air, but when I got to the
cinema, for some reason, my resignation started to crumble. I bought a ticket
to No End in Sight.
One critic of the movie said, “Even well-informed
audiences will find their jaws dropping.”
He was right. Comments made by former Bush political
advisors, strategists, and planners were so alarming, my jaws were dropping.
The many remarks made by the U.S. soldiers made my head jangle.
Hearing former Army Major General Paul Eaton, responsible
for training the New Iraqi Army, recount that George W. Bush, Commander in
Chief, had been, after the invasion of Baghdad, totally unaware that his
hand-picked official, L. Paul “Jerry” Bremer, was disbanding the Iraqi Army,
was infuriating.
Listening to the former official in charge of the
Baghdad occupation, Barbara Bodine, describe the office she was given at the
Pentagon and its lack of a computer, or even a telephone, brought back
memories of the unbelievable incompetence demonstrated by this administration
after Hurricane Katrina.
The comments regarding the inability of our officials to
communicate with the Iraqis because no one spoke Arabic was outrageous.
Finally, when discussing the occupation and the ensuing chaos that took place,
former Marine Lieutenant Seth Moulton, a Harvard graduate who led his infantry
platoon during a 2004 deadly attack by militias in Najaf, asks, “Are you
telling me that’s the best America can do? Don’t tell me that. That makes me
angry.”
Well, Seth, I’m feelin’ ya. I’m incensed! I’m livid!
I’m MAD AS HELL!!! And for the next 505 days, there’s no end in sight! Watch
this space!