Creed.
War of 1812. 2,260 dead. 4,505 wounded.
American-Mexican War 13,283 dead. 4,152 wounded.
US Civil War 359,528 dead. 275,175 wounded.
Philippine-American War 3,216 dead. 2,779 wounded.
Spanish American War 2,456 dead. 1,662 wounded.
World War I 116,708 dead. 204,002 wounded.
World War II 407,316 dead. 670,846 wounded.
Korean War 52,246 dead. 103,284 wounded.
Vietnam War 58,168 dead. 153,303 wounded.
Gulf War 293 dead. 467 wounded.
Afghan War 510 dead. 1,992 wounded.
Iraq War 4,100 dead. 22,951 wounded.
Total American Casualties of War: 2,122,797
"I am a member of the United States Armed Forces who shares the great
responsibility of preserving the freedom of every man, woman, and child in this
nation." ~ Air Force Creed.
What is freedom? What is this American way of life that over two million have sacrificed to protect? Is it illegal, warrant-less wire-tapping? Is it betraying the solemn pact made with undercover operatives? Is it torture? Is it the patriot act? Is it using the justice department to politically assassinate your opponents? With freedom like this, who needs tyranny?
"I never, by work or deed, will bring reproach upon the fair name of my service,
nor permit others to do so unchallenged." ~ Coast Guard Creed.
Tyranny is unrestrained exercise of power. Tyranny is despotic abuse of authority. Tyranny is use of absolute power. We are at this very moment being ruled by tyrants. George Bush is not restricted by laws or by opposition. When the White House was faced with opposition to the Iraq War it outed a CIA agent as retribution. When anti-war protestors started to assemble, the White House used provisions of the Patriot Act to spy and intimidate.
Faced with the likelihood of not being granted warrants to spy on Americans, the White House simply did so in secrecy without legal oversight. Faced with the impending defeat in the 2006 elections the White House fired U.S. Attorneys who stood against the tyrants wanting to politically assassinate the opposition.
"I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America" ~
Navy Creed.
Do you remember Microsoft's Windows Vista commercials? Those commercials
where people, experiencing Vista for the first time, were so overwhelmed they
simply paused and said "wow." Secretly inserting provisions into the Patriot Act
that allow the White House to fire U.S. Attorneys without cause and replace them
without Congressional approval "" then to actually fire U.S. Attorneys who refuse
to assassinate political opponents - is such a moment. Wow.
Leaking the name of an undercover CIA operative as retaliation against her
dissenting husband is such a moment. Wow. Willfully lying America into a war
that made American foreign policy reminiscent of Germany's invasion of
Poland is such a moment. Wow. For Congress to sit ideally by and allow this to
occur is such a moment.
"Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and
deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones,
and Thee without shame or fear."~ Marine Corps Prayer.
America is just an idea. The Constitution, our justice system, order and freedom,
those are all just ideas. "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted
among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." We
have chosen to live by the idea that is the Constitution. We have chosen to honor
the idea that is America. We have asked over two million people to sacrifice for
that idea. Who do Dick Cheney and George Bush think they are?
Both Democratic and Republican leaders have chosen to remain silent on this
issue. America is at a crossroads! Will 2,122,797 have sacrificed in vain for
tyranny? Or, will America see to it that they were sacrificed for freedom? Our
Founding Fathers gave us the ability to make this decision. It's Article 2 section 4
of the Constitution.
misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of
some public trust." "" Federalist Paper 65.
During the 70s Congress was flooded with telegrams containing only two words,
"Impeach Nixon!"- Write your elected representative and the Speaker, Nancy
Pelosi, to advance the articles presented by Dennis Kucinich. It's time that
patriotism is more than just a bludgeon used during campaign season.
