Has there ever been a more politically tone-deaf administration than this one? I can understand Bush's need to score points with the base. But if you're going to veto legislation to take a stand against "big government," couldn't you pick something more palatable than quashing healthcare for poor children? And to say we can't afford $35 billion for sick kids, at the same time you're asking for around $190 billion - that's $190,000,000,000! - in additional war spending?
How did this numbskull ever get to be president? No, really.
As I was sitting down to tackle this week's toon, I was looking to do something with that notion of tone deafness. But as I brainstormed symbols that spoke to children paying the price for America's war machine, I kept coming back to the same image: Jules Feiffer's Munro.
For those not familiar with Feiffer, the guy is on the top rung in my pantheon of creative heroes. Pulitzer-winning editorial cartoonist. Obie-winning playwright. And, in 1961, he was the writer of an Academy-Award-winning animated short called "Munro."
"Munro" started life as a short story in Feiffer's 1957 cartoon collection, "Passionella." The story revolves around a four-year-old boy named Munro who is drafted into the U.S. Army and can't seem to convince anyone that there's been a mistake. It's a brilliant piece of work, one that still has wonderful resonance today. (If you haven't seen the animated version, treat yourself on YouTube.)
Feiffer retired from editorial cartooning on a regular basis in 2000.
With our young again being victimized by a misguided military effort, it seemed a good time to pay homage to one of my greatest influences. "Munro, 2007," below, is the result. I think it works fine with no knowledge of the "Munro" back-story, and offers deeper meaning for those in the know (which now includes everyone reading this). I'm pretty tickled with this one.
On Memorial Day, Americans honor the fallen. Soldiers whose faces will never appear before us again are remembered for their service. Only the few, friends and family, will recall the life of those young men and women who passed from this world into another. In a country grateful for the protection troops provide, people will shop on this holy day. A President will place a wreath on the grave of an unknown soldier. Beautiful speeches will be made in the spirit of homage. Americans will bow their heads in respect. Reverence will be offered, and statistics that document the effects of war will not be shared. Yet, the numbers cry out for attention, just as the pained servicemen and women do.
The suicide rate of veterans is at least three times the national suicide rate. In 2005, the suicide rate for veterans 18- to 24-years-old was three to four times higher than non-veterans.
About 126 veterans per week commit suicide.
About 154,000 veterans nationwide are homeless on any given night. One-fourth of the homeless population is veterans.
There are more homeless Vietnam veterans than the number of soldiers who were killed during that war.
It takes at least 5.5 years, on average, to resolve a benefit claim with the Veteran's Administration.
More than 600,000 unresolved claims are backlogged with the Veteran's Administration.
Approximately 18.5 percent of service members who have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq currently have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression.
19.5 percent of these veterans report experiencing traumatic brain injury.
Roughly half of those who need treatment seek it, but only slightly more than half of those who receive treatment receive at least minimally adequate care, according to an April 2008 Rand Report.
As Mother's Day approaches Moms throughout this country cry. Many parents cannot be physically close to their sons or daughters. Telephone calls will not come. Children may desperately wish to speak with mother; however, when "in country," on the battle field, a conversation with Mommy is not possible.
Some guardians are quite near to their children. Perhaps, they hold on more tightly, for the caregiver knows the tot has no other parent to turn to. So many American lads and lasses have one parent in Iraq, in Afghanistan, somewhere far, far, far away from home. Our troops hearts may be with toddlers and teens left behind in the States. Yet, the hands of a service Mom or Dad are often nowhere to be seen or felt by their babies. The children of military men and women clutch photographs, and dream of the day when Mom or Dad will return home.
In the Middle East, young and old also mourn. Many Moms, Dads, sons, and daughters do not have family to cuddle with. Celebrations are reminders of loss. In a war-torn nation, countless are orphaned. Males and females are frequently widowed. People live and then violently, they pass.
Americans are five years into a battle gone awry. Citizens of the United States cry out, "too much blood has been spilled, too many lives and limbs were lost," we the people want to, "Bring the troops home." Hence, Congress holds hearings. The inquiry is intended to help define the future. For many it is time to exit Iraq and end a futile war. The people have questions; when and how will we complete a failed mission. On April 8, 2008, the Senior Commander of multinational forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, American envoy to Baghdad, spoke to United states Senators and attempted to address the public's concerns.
(Tis in the news once again. Our troops take their own lives.
During the month of January, more soldiers committed suicide (24) than were killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan and Iraq combined (16). This is unusual, but--amazingly--not unique. In fact, the problem of military suicides is growing much worse, as Army Chief of Staff George Casey said yesterday in Hawaii.
Casey claimed to be mystified by the suicide rates:
"The fact of the matter is, we just don't know" why suicides have increased, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. said Friday. "It's been very frustrating to me with the effort that we made over the last year, and we did not stem the tide."
"Supporting the troops means more than slapping a bumper sticker on your car" ~ David Berry, 26, Iraq Veteran
They say the soldiers fight for our freedom, and while many may argue the truth of this statement, no one can dispute that we must support our troops. Today, citizens have a chance to demonstrate that we, the people care about those who serve our country in combat. Please reflect on a reality too terrible to ignore, soldier suicide. Then, if you choose telephone, or write, your Florida State Representative. Express your desire to endorse State Bill 2554, Prevention Services for Veterans and Their Families, submitted by Senator Ted Deutch. If you are not a Florida resident, please ponder what you can do within your home region. The tales and the tears of those torn from within tell an unforgettable story. Will we listen, and look for ways to help those hurt by our war?
To everything there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
They say life is cyclical. Peace prospers in a era. Epochs are filled with tales of war. Currently, in the United States, this is the political season. Issues are the topic of import. While at times, it seems rumors rule during the ritual run for the presidency, mostly, people want to speak of what affects their everyday life. Some say, "It is the economy, stu***." Others declare military defense and homeland security are the subjects we must speak about. A few say, we must secure our boarders. This theme ties the two aforementioned together. Jobs and terrorism are the greatest concern. Then there are those who inquire, "What happened to talk of the Iraq war?"
Every so often, as appropriate, we list the recent fallen American soldiers that have died in Bush's war. From the list, we can see the surge didn't work.
The names of just a few of the troops, recently fallen are honored in this memorial missive . . .
Last night in a diary by Democratic Consultant there was mention of what must one do to really demonstrate support for the troops. The diary and the following discussion reminded me of an interaction at our weekly vigil last Saturday morning. Every week a local group of us stands in protest against the war. We do this on Friday night and again on Saturday morning. The group began the vigils even before the initial invasion of Iraq. I was privileged to join more than two years ago and have been a regular protester since that time.
VoteVets.org is correct. I did ask for it. I am grateful that, with thanks to them, here it is. Last week, when George W. Bush accused Congress of not listening to the Generals on the ground in Iraq, I immediately thought of the many Generals released by this Administration, merely because they dared to disagree with the neoconservative, opportunistic, capitalistic George W. Bush directive.
"Standing on the corner watching all the girls go by. I recall the tune; it rings in my head as I position myself at the intersection. I plunk myself there each Saturday pleading for peace. Today was the second time that I stood alone.
The other protesters remained across the street.
As I held up my index and middle fingers in the sign harmony, I thought of how I am not observing fancy, flashy, or forlorn females pass. I am interacting with my community. Men, women, the elderly, the young, and the middle age. I cannot tell who will acknowledge me or how they might react to my request for an early exit from Iraq, Afghanistan, or war.
Please accept my apology for what might seem to be an oft, or for some, an overused video. Perhaps, my missive is my response, the reasoning, and rationale for my submission or an answer to the question. "What, exactly was accomplished?"
Today, as I awoke, I was reminded of the date. The radio broadcaster shared the history of May Day and spoke of how the events of the past are playing out in the present.
I was among the Americans willing to settle for some semblance of support for the troops. I was willing to say bring them home months from now; although it seems to me a time in 2008 is more than a year. Nevertheless, I called my Congressman and said please sign on to the silly Bill, the one setting an absurd and somewhat arbitrary time for bring the soldiers home. However, in each of my conversations with Congressional Aides, I added my truer feelings. I want the funds cut! It seems that now, you do as well.
Please view this glorious presentation. Support the troops. Stop Escalation
Dear Reader . . .
Tonight I saw a presentation that spoke to me. I share this message in hopes that you too are affected. I have long believed that to support the troops, we must ensure their safety. Placing soldiers in harms way hurts us as a nation. A country that cares for its people does not condone combat. Were I the Commander-In-Chief, I would do all that I could to sustain every life. I would not wish to take a young man or woman far from home and family. Subjecting an individual to undue stress is, in my mind, not just. I do not think a person of any age need endure the conditions of war.
I have written much on the wars, the war on terrorism, the war in Afghanistan, and the war in Iraq. I spent much time protesting, signing petitions, writing letters, and building installations in homage. I have since Bush began bellowing.
I recognize that my voice is, as those of others, ignored. The words are as water; they roll off the President's back. King George II has said, and continues to say, dismissively, that he has heard the arguments of people such as myself. He has listened to the reasoned and rational thoughts of the millions. Yet, he has not.
Only today, while taking a break from his five-week long vacation, the fair-haired Commander in Chief stopped to speak with the press. The President stated his [supposed] intent was to speak "sympathetically" to the circumstances of Cindy Sheehan.
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