Presidential campaign, it’s no wonder that Trump proclaimed Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The US State Department has begun to move the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Duly noted: Sheldon Adelson lacks combat credentials and has never served in the military.
The latest addition to the current leadership is John Bolton, age 69, who drew number 185 in the Vietnam War Draft lottery, but enlisted in the Maryland Army National Guard to avoid service in Vietnam. John Bolton began his post as National Security Advisor on April 9, 2018. It was alleged that John Bolton helped kickstart the new nuclear arms race. “Bolton was a principal advocate of tearing up the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty—and was the one who ripped it up in the Kremlin's face.” His recent most accomplishment includes preparing a memo for Donald Trump on how to exit the Iran deal.
Not to be irreverent, but of the past leaders who led us into our most recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, neither Dick Cheney or George W. Bush, served in combat. When Dick Cheney, age 77, became eligible for the Vietnam War Draft, he received five deferments. In 1989, The Washington Post writer George C. Wilson interviewed Cheney and asked about his deferments, Cheney reportedly said, "I had other priorities in the '60s than military service.” Former President George W. Bush, age 71, also got out of going to Vietnam by joining the National Texas Air Guard. On May 1, 2003, he stood on the aircraft carrier USSAbraham Lincoln proclaiming “Mission Accomplished,” a P.R. stunt, which later became fodder for late-night TV and stand up comics.
One beneficial outcome of the bloody aftermath of the Iraq War resulted in additional oil reserves flowing into the world economy, and to the U.S. economy in particular. The reason for our involvement in Iraq was to destroy Sadam Hussein’s massive cache of weapons of mass destruction, none of which were ever found. The gathering clouds over Iran are beginning to resemble a new reason to go to war —our current leadership’s noble intent to end Iran’s nuclear weapons program. After all, you can’t call a war just to take a nation’s oil. Or can you? The tentacles of Koctopus have a far reaching global impact that far exceeds the boundaries of America First. It might only be about winning some mighty fine oil reserves.
We do not have the leaders in place that we need for a complex global economy. It’s easy for them to want go to war because they have not seen combat up close and personal. They have never seen blood, raw carnage, dead children and maimed lives- the destructive path of war, and the aftermath of shell shocked vets. If they had seen these things, they would not want to go to war because it’s too high a price to pay. The current leadership cares so little for real veterans of war that they are intent on privatizing our Veterans Health Insurance, and they do not want to pay for services, institutions, hospitals and cemeteries that benefit veterans. What we have is a loose cadre of boys who have a sense entitlement and have never grown up. These boys have not earned battle scars, stripes, honors or victories. They never put their own skin in the game. True leaders have a god-like quality that transcends ordinary human boundaries and inspires us to believe we can attain the same ideal for the common good. We want to have a passionate mission that connects the dots, is greater than any one person, and brings out the best we can be as human beings. We want leaders who are willing to build a world for all of us. And not spill our blood so they can win a game.
Patricia Vaccarino has over 30 years' expertise working with a wide range of national and international clients, in all areas of public relations: managing worldwide campaigns for global companies and developing strategy for small companies, startup ventures, and individuals. She has written award-winning film scripts, press materials, articles, speeches, web content, marketing collateral, and five books. Her latest book, YONKERS Yonkers!, takes place during one of the most turbulent times in American history, 1969-1971. Chief leitmotifs throughout this work of fiction include the Vietnam War, a bad President in the White House, upheaval in society, racism, sexual harassment, chaos and the fundamental breakdown of social order. Sound familiar? Here we are again in the same place, different time.
Sources cited:
OPEC Annual Statistical Bulletin
Koch effort at Wellesley will be overhauled after public attention by Annie Linskey March 27, 2018
Veterans Affairs Shake-Up Stirs New Fears of Privatized Care by Nicholas Fandos
Inside the Koch Brothers’ Toxic Empire by Tim Dickinson Rolling Stone
JAMES MATTIS ADMITS CLIMATE CHANGE IS A THREAT
Is Trump stumbling toward a war with Iran by Paul Waldman Washington Post
Sheldon Adelson Calls on US to Nuke Iranian Desert
Despair and Defiance as Donald Trump declares Jerusalem Israel’s capital The Guardian
How John Bolton Helped Kickstart the New Nuclear Arms Race by Spencer Ackerman The Daily Beast