Mike Masterson - Queasy Feeling Remains

[HerbieHeadhunter]

From my home state newspaper, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (don't let the name fool you) whose editorial page is one of the more right wing conservative/reactionary editorial pages in the country comes this gem:

--snip--

Being neither Republican nor Democrat, but only a free-thinking American, I am deeply troubled by the path we have chosen and blindly continue to follow. My impression of America since childhood, perhaps like your own, has been that it is the most honorable, compassionate and high-functioning civilization on this planet.
The human blood we are shedding in Iraq today does not reflect those ideals. Increasingly, the facts show that we contrived a reason to dive headlong into the realm of the lowest functioning nations, a primitive, dog-eat-dog world of unfounded hate where brute force and fear reign supreme.
My discomfort has only swelled each week as we’ve learn more about the official falsehoods and exaggerated claims upon which we based our dubious involvement in this quagmire.

--snip--

http://www.ardemgaz.com/ShowStoryTemplate.asp?Path=ArDemocrat/2003/09/23&ID=Ar01501&Section=Editorial

[scarletwoman]

1. Looks like an interesting piece but you have to be a subscriber to read it

Could you snip another excerpt?

sw

[HerbieHeadhunter]

2. Yeah, the ADG is a real piece of crap...

here is more:

--snip--

Does any adult reading this believe we will be out of Iraq in four years, even after throwing 87 billion more of our hard-earned tax dollars down a rat hole? Frankly, I see nothing improving for the unforeseeable future. Among the few things these bitter lunatics don’t lack are weapons, TNT and a long, long time.
We must remember that in another four years, many of today’s 14-year-old extremist Muslims will be 18-year-old freedom-fighters and suicide bombers eager to rid the Arab world of us infidels in the name of their god. Meanwhile, both Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden remain free to command the carnage.
I was actually embarrassed to watch the president of the United States, who represents you and me and our nation’s ideals, strutting across the flight deck of that aircraft carrier in a tightly tailored GI Joe costume. That orchestrated performance had all the feel and smell of what some uniformed prima-donna dictator in a Third World country might do. Remember that footage of a posturing Saddam firing a rifle into the air? Wearing his uniforms? Well?
Our previous presidents, while commanders-of-chief, have never seen fit to don uniforms in wartime and priss around offering photo opportunities for self-aggrandizement. None I can recall has ever been that flagrantly insecure. I also cannot recall any president publicly using his personal, "mission from God" religious convictions to justify an American attack against another nation.
Does that concern anyone else, especially since extremist Muslims use the same rationale to fertilize their killing fields?

--snip--

Again, good stuff.

[scarletwoman]

4. Wow, great stuff!

He is REALLY dissing the whistle-ass! I LOVE his characterization of * posturing like a "prima-donna dictator", and pointing out how the "mission from God" justification for agression is the provenence of extremist Muslims. Totally right on!

It would be interesting to know if any irate letters to the editor result -- I hope you'll keep us updated on what kind of reaction this piece gets.

Thanks more posting more,
sw

[Melsky]

3. Good to hear

even the conservatives can't keep hiding from reality.

[scarletwoman]

5. I found a different link!

I went to google to see what else I could find by Mike Masterson, and lo and behold came up with a different link to his editorial that doesn't require a subscription to read!

Here it is:
http://www.nwarktimes.com/adg/story_opinion.php?storyid=42495

Damn fine piece of writing!

sw