I was recently forwarded an article supposedly written by a naval aviator entitled, “I Am Coming.” More than likely, however, the author was some right-winger attempting to drum up feelings of patriotism and support for the war effort in Iraq that has been badly mismanaged and executed and one that the majority of the American public rightly no longer supports. This so-called “aviator” in his article addresses the terrorists, which are his intended victims. He says he wants them to get to know him as an average, law-abiding, church-going American, who respects his elders, his country etc. He says that as a naval aviator he can give back to his country, which has given so much to him. He goes on to say that he will not hide behind women and children as the terrorists do when he comes after them. He closes with the chilling words, “I wish we could meet up close in a small room where I could wrap my hands around your throat and slowly squeeze the life out of you---“ and “I can put a 2000 lb. weapon through a window from 10,000 feet up.”
This piece deserves a response for several reasons. For one it more than likely represents the feelings of many Americans. As I read his message, I at first found myself cheering on this “aviator.” I could feel his anger, the white-hot passion for revenge, which resonated with my own feelings. After all, the terrorists represent the very incarnation of evil itself. But there is also a jarring disconnect at the end of his message which ironically belies his attempts to paint himself as a good and decent American whose values contradict the barbarous actions of the terrorists. By expressing his desire to “wrap my hands around your throat and slowly squeeze the life out of you” he is lowering himself to their level. He is naively playing into the hands of the terrorists. That is exactly the kind of reaction from the Americans they want to see. They don’t want to see an America that espouses decency justice and fair play. They want to see an America that lowers its military tactics down to their cruel and inhumane level. That makes excellent propaganda for them. They have already seen American military barbarism at Abu Grahib and Mahmoudiya. The “aviator’s” harsh threat would be music to their ears.
Another disturbing and frightening thought that the writer’s message generates is that the aviator’s vengeful words represent the naïve attitudes of many right-wing Americans who simply have learned nothing from history. They still hold on to the simplistic idea that America’s superior military might will defeat the terrorists. How short their memories are and how quickly they have forgotten the lessons of Vietnam! Despite our vastly superior military might, we were brought to our knees largely by a technologically inferior but determined rag-tag Viet Cong guerilla force and in the process thousands of Americans died in vain. History is replete with examples of vastly superior armies being defeated by determined guerilla insurgencies---especially if these armies are foreign occupiers who initiated pre-emptive military intrusions, as was the case with this country in Vietnam and now in Iraq.
The writer closes his address to the terrorists with “God Bless the U.S.A,” on the surface a seemingly admirable show of patriotism. The problem with that is this statement has come to have a negative connotation for many Americans and much of the rest of the civilized world for several reasons. Especially since 9/11 right-wingers have used this expression sanctimoniously, unconsciously perhaps, but implying nevertheless that the Bush Administration’s execution of the Iraqi War is being conducted correctly and competently and that Bush’s actions are sanctioned by a higher power. That’s why many Americans are now repulsed by such statements as “God Bless America.” But there is another reason. To many it sounds as though we want a supreme being to consider us a special, privileged country that deserves a place above all other nations. Why bless only the U.S.A? Why not implore the deity to bless all those nations and cultures that show justice, compassion, and understanding?
By coincidence shortly after I received this article, I was privileged to hear Arum Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, speak on “Lessons That I Learned from My Grandfather.” The core of his message echoed that of his grandfather--- the employment of nonviolent tactics in confrontational situations. He pointed out that much of the world sees the U.S. as a militaristic bully. One can infer from his lecture that military dominance does not carry the same weight and importance as it once did. We must learn to live in a global world that is now vastly different. Horizontal relationships between cultures and countries now supersede the vertical constructs of political and military dominance. The old U.S. model of might and power must give way. We must learn to serve as a different type of model to the rest of the world---a model that emphasizes constructive dialogue even with our enemies (something Bush refuses to do). We should be thought of as a country that values respect for other cultures and one that encourages understanding and cooperation among nations. We should not be thought of as nation that uses threats and trade restrictions to impose our will on those who disagree with us, as we have so often done in the past. In the end these actions are counter-productive and only diminish our standing in the world. The Bush Administration and the right wing conservatives have yet to learn these important lessons.
Of course, this does not mean that we stop pursuing the terrorists and bring them to justice. But indulging in such macho rhetoric as “wrap my hands around your throat and squeeze the life out of you” makes us appear little better than the terrorists. How we change our world image and yet defeat religious fundamentalist terrorism is a daunting task and will not be easy, but it is one that we must continuously strive to achieve.
Herb Panko
25 Mill House Lane S.W.
Chatfield, Mn. 55923
Hepchat55923@yahoo.com
