In Abraham Lincoln's day, 34 states were part of the Union. Even after the South seceded, President Lincoln would not allow any stars to be removed from the flag.
Ed. note - As an American, I love my country. But I am ashamed of the weak and ineffective way our government is behaving, particularly on the world stage. The opinions expressed in this piece are just that, my opinions and are intended not to offend, but to highlight dangerous mistakes the current administration is making.
When I think about recent actions - or more accurately, inactions - of my country's government and wonder at the remarkable lack of real care and concern for the world - other than in a self-serving manner - I just can't believe it. This America is not the country where I grew up: a nation strong and steady, always prepared to do the right thing. Yes, this young democracy made mistakes, but its heart was in the right place. I long for the great and noble country once admired and emulated in the international community; for the optimistic America that inspired Abraham Lincoln's insightful words to Congress on December 1, 1862:
"Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the last generation. We say we are for the Union. The world will not forget we say this. We know how to save the Union. The world knows we do know how to save it. We, even we here, hold the power and bear the responsibility...We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last, best hope of earth. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just - a way which if followed the world will forever applaud and God must forever bless."
The following haiku and poem were inspired by Condoleeza Rice's clueless attempts at diplomacy and by the Bush administration's appalling lack of true understanding and respect for the Middle East, its rich history and its people.
Careless disregard
for a region's history;
Shocking arrogance.
Where is my country
once so strong and brave?
I hardly recognize you now;
you keep fueling the rage.
You pay casual lip service
as two nations weep,
Where is your compassion;
your promises to keep?
Peace prospects flicker,
dim with every passing day
why won't you intervene,
help them all find a way?
You talk of drawing new maps
to suit your latest whims;
of refashioning alliances
to help all your friends.
Abuse of such power means
many innocents die
The region in chaos;
just spreading more lies!
The effects of this madness
could engulf the whole region
in a wildfire of trouble,
consuming all seasons.
These problems affect us
each and every one
Until we walk a peaceful path,
Our work is never done.
May God have mercy
on all nations involved,
while world leaders argue;
can such sins be absolved?
Where is my lost hero
a nation once revered?
We must rise to this challenge;
and with wisdom, persevere!
Children live or die by our actions;
can't we make them proud?
Look beyond differences
seeking peace; no war allowed.
I've been playing catch up on all your very insightful and informative posts today, and appreciate the background knowledge you bring to this situation. Thank you for your enlightenment and your perspective (in haiku and in prose!) on this grim situation.
Our government has presented itself as the "great liberator" in Iraq, yet now appears to want to stand back and let this situation play itself out in death and destruction. How can we justify being the force for change in one instance and not be willing to take a stand in the other? As Lincoln said so eloquently, "We say we are for the Union. The world will not forget we say this."
Posted by: becca | 28 July 2006 at 05:05
Amen, Tara. I admire your ability to capture political views in haiku and rhyme.
I've really enjoyed hearing your perspective on the current conflict in the Middle East. Many people out there providing opinions are total outsiders looking in, which can be valuable, but I appreciate the fact that you spent so many years in the region and are able to provide somewhat of an insider's view.
Posted by: Ali la Loca | 27 July 2006 at 19:33
"Sometimes I feel like we are always expected to fix things, but can we?? It is fair to expect that?"
"I am just sick of other countries asking for our help, only to resent us later."
You do both know that America is actively supporting Israel's actions, not just in the UN, but by resupplying the country as it runs out of munitions?
This is not a case of the U.S. being expected to butt in on someone else's business - you are involved, right this minute. Tara opposes the nature of this involvement (and I agree with her). Others support it. It's odd how some people don't seem to realise that it exists.
Posted by: Pacian | 27 July 2006 at 14:42
yes.......I love american people, but usually not USA gouvernment actions...since a lot of time ago..I you look carefully, the United States is the country that has invaded more countries in the last decades...and a lot of americans don't even know that...that is my point: is people in their countries that can make things change....it is too easy to say: oh! I don't know anything about politics...everyone is a little responsable everywhere (this applies to all countries)
Posted by: Catalina | 27 July 2006 at 10:31
Profound poem! As a Canadian I loved it!
Posted by: Giggles | 27 July 2006 at 08:37
P.S. Just want to add that I don't believe anyone is asking America "to fix things" as has been suggested -- it's more about America not condoning and aiding and abetting this whole mess. Nobody asked America to "fix" Iraq. And yet in they went to impose whatever it is they are imposing.
Thank goodness for people like you who have clarity. xox
Posted by: Colette | 27 July 2006 at 05:04
I've been thinking the same thing. This is not the America I knew, the America in which I did some of my growing up -- and that thought makes me so very sad.
xox
Posted by: Colette | 27 July 2006 at 05:00
I can't even imagine fixing the wrong that Bush has done since he's been in office. I don't know that I'll see it in my lifetime, unfortunately.
Posted by: Rosa | 27 July 2006 at 00:42
Yes, I clicked on a Nostradamus link on a website I recently visited, too ... I agree
with you that America now does not seem to be the country where we grew up.
Do you think we were dreaming, then? Or could it have been just propaganda? But, what we were taught, at least, still seems valid. The right thing, now, would certainly not be to stand back and refuse to call for a cease-fire in Lebanon and in Gaza (the occupied Palestinian territory)! The "right thing" for America to do is to say that this war must stop.
Posted by: Your friend Marian | 26 July 2006 at 22:04
Well said, excellent poem.
I have to say, I'm with Amber on this one. While I don't at all care for or condone the current administration's actions or lack there-of, and I am no expert on the Middle East, this is clearly a problem that does not seem to WANT to be solved. In order to have peace, people have to be willing to behave in a peaceful way. Yet what can you do when one group of people has pledged to wipe another group of people off the face of the earth? Much as I'd love to blame Bush & Friends for all of this, this problem in the Middle East existed long before he came along and his predecessors couldn't solve it either... they only postponed it.
I'm starting to wonder if Nostradamus isn't right: that WW3 will happen and it will be in the Middle East. Cuz it sure seems we're heading in that direction. And it will start over there, but it won't end over there alone. We'll ALL be impacted.
P.S. Typing this on new laptop. Thanks again for inadvertently prodding me to get a new one before my old one goes up in flames!
Posted by: The Bold Soul | 26 July 2006 at 20:18
I am just sick of other countries asking for our help, only to resent us later. We are not a perfect country, we do not have perfect leaders, but despite all that, I am still proud to be an American.
There is no other country I would rather be in right now. I would not mind visiting other places, but "there's no place like home!"
Posted by: Chelle | 26 July 2006 at 18:56
In this case, inaction is stronger and more malevolent than action. It is criminal, immoral. I hate what is happening here. It's getting worse. Tara, I've just recently discovered your blog and I love it for the passion you invest in it, all of it.
Posted by: Laura | 26 July 2006 at 18:29
What could we do, the USA, to make this end? Sometimes I feel like we are always expected to fix things, but can we?? It is fair to expect that? I really am asking you, because you understand more about this than I do, with your experience. I feel bad-- horrible-- for the people who are dying. But then I think of the fact that the people voted so many members of hezbula,-- who said clearly that they wanted to wipe Isreal off the EARTH-- into government! I don't think they should die for that,(certainly not the children!) but it makes me think that the problem is not so simple to solve...Am I wrong? I just don't understand how we are the bad guys here, because we can't solve this problem.
I want to know what you think...
:)
Posted by: amber | 26 July 2006 at 18:00
i ditto annie's sentiment.
Posted by: diana | 26 July 2006 at 16:28
I feel your pain, passion and disappointment in your beautifully writted words.
Bush-Lincoln (polar opposites) (((sad)))
Hugs to you in your "hot" recovery.
Posted by: Tammy | 26 July 2006 at 16:19
Tara, I must admit, I don't have solutions. I know I hate what is happening in Iraq. I always believed it would become another Vietnam. I know I hate hezbula and their attacks on Israel. I know that the Middle East of 50 years ago was very different from the Middle East of today and so much of that change seems to hang on HATE. I also know that I don't think there is anything we or any other nation can do that would be right. Dialog may be the only thing to keep us (the world) safe but the direction of the dialog may be filled with more problems than solutions.
Posted by: AnnieElf | 26 July 2006 at 15:28