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Jerel Thomas has a vague definition of heroism
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It’s a Saturday night and I am writing an opinion article for the Arbiter. What a loser I am, I could be drinking and relieving myself on some frat-boys bushes. Yet being the bright upstanding citizen I am I felt obliged to respond to our dear friend Jerel Thomas. Yes, I have been a big fan of Jerel hysteria for a few months now, and I thought is was about time I let this sexy voice of mine be heard.
Jerel has had some lovely pieces of newspaper literature, but I think his most recent article makes the rest of them look like a third grade history report (with the improper grammar to boot). More bombs are ways the answer to any standard-issue hawk. The theory being, I believe, that peace can only be achieved with skeletons in a giant crater. Sound a little primitive to me.
Before you start crying out “liberal hippie!” and beating your fist on your Reagan biography let me make a point. I hate war. It is a despicable throwback to barbaric times. That said, in the situation America now finds itself mired in, I believe it to be justified. Not only justified, but necessary. Fifty years ago, the British didn’t stand up to Germany leading to the Second World War and I don’t think anyone wants a trilogy out of that affair. There is a time for peace and time for war. This unfortunately is a time for war.
However, amazingly, I agreed with Jerel. Jesus, maybe it is the end of the world. There are a couple things that we do not agree on. He stated the Bill Clinton killed innocent Americans at Waco and Ruby Ridge, and was soft on terrorism. So let me just try and guess his definition of terrorist behavior. Basically he is saying that terrorists are anyone who resides outside of the U.S. and who is violently against our way of life. Yet if someone born in the States decides they want to build a militaristic compound complete with weapons and violent ideologies it’s alright. Just wanted to clear that up.
He also stated that everyone who asks the question to be quite courageous. If no one had ever asked the question, out society would be much less free than it is today. In fact, the ability to ask the question shows how great America is. In a less free society you might get killed for asking such a question. And the most patriotic Americans are the ones who stand up and let their voice be heard when they see something wrong with the governing establishment. Let’s try to make America better, not bury ourselves in blind allegiance to the present.
I want to end this on a hopeful note. Everyone I meet speaks of war, perhaps it is time someone stands up for peace. In times of war it’s easy to forget dreams of peace echoed forth from the past. But now in this time of crisis let us not lose hope in humanity. In this present catastrophe of chaos let us not abandon our democratic order. Let us not lose our freedoms for a false sense of security. Let is not lose sight of peace in this current state of war. And let us continue to go forth and seek the dream so beautifully articulated by JFK: Not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women, not merely peace in our time but peace in all time.
Preach on Brother.
Ben Schmitt, Special to the Arbiter