World War 3, anyone?

  

"In rejecting diplomacy, wartime leaders make murderers of sycophants." Dr. BLR

 

I am a firm believer that if you have never served or had someone in your family serve in the military, then by all means, you should never be put in a position where you have to decide whether others will have to fight in a war. Moreover, if you have dodged military service because of your elite status, then shut the fuck up. I know these are harsh words, but I don’t care. Life is precious, and anyone telling our young people to place their lives on the line should at least have some skin in the game. 

By now, you should know who I’m referring to, right? You’re right, it’s President Trump. I recall many of his campaign speeches in which he called for “No more endless wars.” While I didn’t know what to make of his promises, I thought he really meant this one. Boy, was I wrong. Since returning to the office, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, U.S. military forces under the Trump Administration have bombed seven countries: Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. A cursory examination shows a distinct pattern. What is that, you ask? None of them has even a modicum of a chance of posing a significant threat to the U.S. This is some bullying shit, as usual. He dropped bombs on Nigeria on Christmas Day! All because of the rumor that Muslims were killing Christians? Who is he fooling? There is always an ulterior motive when we decide to bomb other countries. Most presidents do it, even the biracial one, who should’ve known better. 

The recent bombing in Venezuela and the kidnapping of its president speak volumes about who we’ve become. It’s unbelievable that any of us can sit back and watch what is being done in our name. Killing people for drug smuggling is a new low, while the president just pardoned a convicted former president and drug smuggler. My friends, you can’t make this up, even if you tried. We can only imagine what other dictators are saying and how they are salivating over Trump’s decision. 

A closer look at the broader picture will reveal other superpowers setting themselves up for a snatch-and-grab, just as the Trump Administration is doing. China has been conducting war games around the country of Taiwan, and Russia undoubtedly will be furthering their assault on Ukraine and daring the U.S. to say anything, given what Trump has just done to the sovereign country of Venezuela, regardless of where you position yourself in this matter. However, Trump would never consider taking military action against another superpower because those countries cannot be bullied. It’s convenient that the U.S., in the post-WWII period, has only sought to fight inferior opponents. Even in some of those wars, they failed miserably, and scores of American soldiers were killed. But you know whose kids were, for the most part, spared? You got it, the kids of the elite. 

Now, for parents of children old enough to serve in the military, you have to ask yourself what advice you would give your child about the possibility of having to or wanting to fight for this country under the Trump Administration, because World War 3 is a distinct possibility. I’ve thought about this question because I have a son. Historically, my ancestors fought in WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Iraq. I served in the United States Army Reserves at a time when there were no active wars. The only advice I’d give my son is to make sure he does his research on America’s position in any potential war. I’d tell him to see whether any of the politicians making the decision to send young people to war have children who will be going to serve with them. If not, then don’t go. However, if he believes strongly in it, it will be his decision. I just hope he listens to his old sage father.