Any idea suggesting the possibility that we surrender some of our privilege and power so that non-Americans might have a chance to thrive is a risk to the American way. It’s a risk even if the long-term plan is a benefit to everyone. We only seem to think and plan in 4-year increments. Our problems are bigger than that. Our vision needs to be bigger than that as well.

After the way we’ve evolved so violently all these millennia, I’m just glad there ARE still folks being born and raised who don’t believe its lies.

Allow me to add that the population that fought in WW2 was, by and large, more cross-class than the population that fought in Viet Nam, and certainly the population that’s fighting and dying in the Middle East. Even the most dyed-in-the-wool “conservative”–at least if they’re working class or below–can begin to see that it’s not rich men’s sons and daughters who are dying, and it’s not poor people whose lives are made better (read: richer) by the wars. It’s why Bush tried so hard to shut up, ignore, defame, and otherwise silence Cindy Sheehan.

And, really, it’s why I try to do my teeny small part for peace and justice. As Elvis noted, what’s so funny about peace, love, and understanding? It’s a stand worth taking, and I don’t care how many, or how few, people are with me. I’m glad you are, though.

He has about five months left to do more catastrophic harm to our country while filling his own and his cronies’ coffers with gold and treasure. I hope Congress keeps a sharp eye on him.