Articles

What happened to the main target?

I remember President Bush’s speech four years ago when his main goal was to track down Osama Bin Laden and those who inflicted so much pain on the American people on American soil. I also remember how the whole world was behind the President and sympathetic to his cause, even those who later were called, “the Axis of Evil”.

Then with a swift turn of events the administration became focused on Iraq. Saddam Hussein became the number one threat to the American National Security, and a tyrant that world had not experienced ever before.

I do not have to go into detail why and how this strategy worked. By now, you all know the reasons behind it, having read so many articles on this subject. But the brainwash and the scare craft worked so effectively for the administration’s political gain that now even after four years of digging up the truth and all the proof contrary to the administration’s claim, some of us are still under the scare-spell.

America’s preemptive war and the birth of insurgency, has distracted us from the main purpose even further. Now we have to focus on so much chaos and confusion that our main purpose, finding Osama seems surreal. Good for Osama and thanks to our leaders who have played into his hands.

The everyday news of losing lives on both sides, the devastation and destruction in Iraq, the growing problems at home both economically and emotionally, our unpopular image all over the world, higher gas prices even though we thought we will have a better hold on the Middle East oil, and countless other problems which have manifested in the name of establishing freedom and democracy in Iraq and the Middle East. It makes us wonder once again, what happened to the main target, Osama Bin Laden and the Al Quada?

Further, as Americans, have we ever really asked ourselves why we have to sacrifice so much to do good for others? Or what business do we have to cause so much problems and pain around the world for our hidden and open agendas? And why do we claim to be the torch bearers of democracy when historically and to this date we are openly in bed with the most undemocratic nations in the world?

Why is Iran the focus now? Is it really because Ahmadi-Nejad is another tyrant and his decisions threaten our national security? Or is it about Israel’s national security and its best interest? Or is it is the same old story of the region’s oil and some kind of compromise again? Perhaps it is about promoting freedom and democracy in Iran, just for the sake of the Iranian people? Just a thought.
I don’t mind any of the above if you don’t fool me with name of freedom and democracy for the Middle East people.

I love this country and I admire the intentions and the genius of its founding fathers who wrote the Constitution and put down the building blocks of America’s democracy. But I have a huge problem with the way we are handling ourselves and the world as a superpower. And, I have a suggestion although not a panacea to this whole global mess.

Why can’t America and the West with such a great civilization and superb technology leave those supposedly backward countries, those barbaric, terrorist uncivilized people alone? As some Americans claim, they are not worthy of our democracy, they are not even capable of comprehending democracy. So, leave them to live their miserable lives with their own crude oil, and cruel leaders.

Isn’t this the best way out, and the easiest solution to this regional if not global mess?
Let us concentrate on our own wealth and power, dig into our own reserves for our own consumption and live with our own grand democracy, enjoy our own clean air, crime free society, quality education system, corruption free government, clean corporate system, prejudice free communities, excellent job market, effective healthcare system, economic surplus, proud and corruption free congress. Let us listen to our exemplary church leaders, men of piety and purity who are delivering the god’s message. Let us enjoy all good things that our mighty god has bestowed upon us and just enjoy our country and our good lives. Why can’t we leave the Middle East and its ignorant people alone?

Isn’t it ironic that we are protesting against illegal immigrants and we even resent the legal immigrants while we allow ourselves to attack or threaten other countries and impose our will and wants on them. We welcome their brains to work on our science and technology, we use them as cheap laborers, and we even outsource everything to them for a profit at the expense of our own citizens and we still talk about legality? Are we really acting legally when we are intruding and imposing on the whole world as we desire? Is this the meaning of being a Superpower or is this the law of jungle and the survival of fittest?

When we talk about freedom, democracy and human rights, why had we forgotten Iran for the past 28 years?
Why did we assist Saddam to become an even more powerful aggressor in the Middle East fighting its neighbors?
Why did we forget Palestinians for so many years, and now that they have achieved democratic elections, we have problem with it because the outcome is not to our best interest? Since when does every event in the world have to be in our best interest, or else? Are we, by any chance, abusing our power? Is there going to be a corollary to our actions as with the great Roman Empire?

The most beautiful aspect of our Constitution is the balance of power among the three branches of government. Unfortunately, in recent years, this balance is off kilter causing many problems at home and abroad. We must remember that America does not belong to Republicans or Democrats, but it belongs to the party of People. We, as American citizens must trust our Constitution and our own good judgment rather than being enslaved to our political parties and special interest groups who have caused chaos in our every day lives by robbing us from peace, economic security, and a good name around the world.

Let us remember that terrorism is not just blowing up people and properties, any act of aggression that terrorizes the public and jeopardizes their future is no less crime. American people and people around the world deserve better and expect more of their leaders. We expect our leaders to act honestly on behalf of American people by staying focused, preventing unnecessary blood-shed and going after the main target long forgotten.

Back to Articles