It's difficult sitting on the sidelines, not having a voice.
Pre 9/11, the Bush dynasty enjoyed and continues to enjoy an extensive and profitable relationship with Saudi Arabia. Jeb Bush, currently seeking the Republican nomination to run for president in 2016, stated today that his brother, George W. Bush would be his "closest adviser" and that he too would have invaded Iraq after 9/11.
Having a voice would broadcast necessary corrections to the many lies that were used to leverage and then led our country into our continuing wars against terrorism. How many trillions of dollars have been spent on, what appears to be, our never-ending engagement against men, women and nations that we do not wish to engage other than by waging war?
"Since the early days after the Sept. 11 attacks, when news emerged that most of the airline hijackers came from Saudi Arabia, dark allegations have lingered about official Saudi ties to the terrorists....U.S. officials, they charge, are trying to hide the double game that Saudi Arabia has long played with Washington, as both a close ally and petri dish for the world’s most toxic brand of Islamic extremism. (http://www.newsweek.com/...).
It is undeniable that the United States has had a long standing relationship with Saudi Arabia for well over six decades. The Bush family have had and continues to have a strong personal and financial relationship with Saudi Arabia, even after 9/11.
Fifteen of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers were Saudis. The only people that were allowed to fly out of this country within hours/days after 9/11 were high-ranking Saudis. And today, Jeb Bush states adamantly that his brother, ex-president George W. Bush, that man that led us into a war based on fraudulent information about Saddam Hussein and Iraq. The most salient information about the Iraq War that has slowly dribbled to the surface of America's conscience, without equivocation, is that we devastated a completely innocent country that had no ties to the perpetrators of 9/11.
The voice without access would try to expose the elephant that grows larger and more menacing each day by posing a few questions to Jeb Bush:
1. Can any nation ever effectively fight and defend against terrorism?
The definition of terrorism "the use of 'random' violent acts used to frighten, intimidate
or coerce for political purposes" could be a clue that a war on terror is useless.
2. How many more young American men and women must lose their lives or return home
tragically and irreparably maimed?
3. How many more terrorists is our government making everyday by launching drone strikes against innocents and terrorists alike?
4. What is the true cost of war to a society?
5. How much money did and do private contractors make in our wars against terrorism, while our servicemen and women struggle to survive after they return home?
6. Can anyone be completely safe in today's world of selfishness and relentless greed?
7. If you believe in supporting unending wars, would you put your life, the lives of your sons and daughters in jeopardy to fight these wars?
Note: What Bush dynasty member ever fought in a war?
8. What ever happened to the time when America was perceived by the rest of the world governments as "The Good Guys"?
We hold men in Guantanamo without proof of their guilt. Our press/media demonize the millions of people who practice Islam, despite the fact that all Muslims are not intent on killing "infidels".
As a country we have become quick to judge and we have proven ourselves to be very unforgiving. And yet, we continue to believe that we are exceptional. And perhaps that belief in our exceptionalism is correct - we are exceptional at being intentionally blind and being incredibly vindictive.
Electing another Bush to be president of the United States will only perpetuate our decline.