Dithered Dictation

When General Stanley McChrystal first asked fora second massive troop surge, this time to send 40,000 plus to Afghanistan, the shock of such an astoundingly serious announcement begged for a pause. And so President Obama deferred to respond ilico. And to everyone's relief, our commander-in-chief thoughtfully requested a wider review for American policy in Afghanistan and the greater region.

However, that review that continues today echoes its own presence in reports as largely that of a military nature that neglects the importance of diplomatic and cultural centered efforts.

At that time, in mid-September 2009, President Obama reassured the war-weary public a new plan would be afoot within "a matter of weeks." Yet, as more heated war cries came from the more bigoted tics in Congress, the semblance of strategy the executive desperately sought to hatch.

Upon reports in early October from a BBC journalist that the decision had already been made to send 45,000 more Americans, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs denied the assertion and placated that a decision would be reached "in weeks." The end of summer and apex of autumn has respectively passed and crested and still no decision has been made.

With the onset of the November 7 Afghan "election," and holiday times approaching rapidly in America, a decision now to send tens of thousands of Americans into a brutal and desperately murderous situation could effectively incite massive uproar among the general public. By going with no strategy at all for 9 plus months and kicking the horribly bloodied can farther down the road, the War in Afghanistan entering its ninth year is about to unravel and explode.

Simply, President Obama's general strategy in every field has been to have no real strategy at all. And by campaigning on the promise to widen the War in Afghanistan to the tune of thunderous applause, the American people have given him and all future executives the power to wage war indefinitely. Rolling with the political winds without any root in principle or practice proves a dangerous experiment.

So detestable is the unlimited power ceded to the "well-meaning" authorities whose blatant lies and empty promises quell the masses into silent destitution. It is no mystery imperial wars and occupations are repeatedly unsustainable and inherently flawed beyond correction. And after a near decade of such fatal folly, there is no question an end will at eventually come. But when?

For now, that question lies in the hands of the warring purveyor of "peace".

45,000 to Afghanistan

Yesterday, the BBC broke the story that United States President Barack Obama has already decided to send 45,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan according to an unidentified source of the British government. That would push U.S. presence in Afghanistan to well over 110,000 soldiers, an increase from the 10,000 who overthrew the Taliban in 2001, and an increase from the 40,000 who were stationed there in 2008.

While White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs denied this claim, this potential decision would put the number of U.S. troops occupying both Iraq and Afghanistan in 2010 at an astounding 260,000. At the height of troop levels under former President George W. Bush, there was a maximum of 180,000 soldiers in the two nations.

The jury has spoken, but where is the judge?

Bush II: The Sun King

Excitement bubbles over as America poises for Bush's departure from the White House in January. But unfortunately, his thuggish trail of blood and laced booty of chronic debt lingers on. Another famed tyrant once said, "I depart, but the State will always remain." Louis XIV would be pleased with Bush the Younger's masterful takeover. Strikingly similar to the "Sun King," Bush has greatly increased the nation's power center as Washington D.C. sings his centralized socialist praises. And as the House threatens to ratify the infamous Bailout Bill, the future hold for even greater centralization. Much like Louis, Bush sees his greatest enemy as the independently wealthy professional class, and seeks piece by piece their destruction. Louis' answer had been equal to Bush's courting of once-pronounced conservatives, who turned socialist overnight for the honor to play with the presidential court lyre. The Palace of Versailles entertained and ultimately preoccupied the independent wealth of France so that Louis could bend them to his will. And after they forfeited their power to the ever-seductive Louis, his creation of Code Law, later the basis for Napoleonic Code, would forever rein in the wealthy's ability for decentralized local-initiative governance. Likewise, the USA PATRIOT Act and the organization of the Department of Homeland Security serve Bush's purpose of indoctrinating a subservient society with no rights and inducing enforcers to break the will of all those who object. His endorsement of federal takeover at every level stinks of Louis' embalmed corpse.

And no longer do Republican values matter. After whole heartedly cramming a dictatorial proposal down Americans' throats, the Bailout Bill has proven Bush and his sick band of thieves to be completely devoid of any reputable ideology or tact. Now, the game has changed and like Louis, the Sun King, all the court, lawmakers, media and world revolve around Bush without reason or response. They sit like play-toys in his coat pocket. The only ideology that matters to Bush is that of Authority.

Similar to America's 20th century, 17th century France and Europe experienced a devastating international conflict. The Thirty Years War (1618-1648) was unparalleled in scale and consequence as a fight over the Holy Roman Empire spilled into a conflict centering on the acquisition of global dominance. It even led the Swedes to victory, urged by their covetous queen to enter the fight to acquire Europe's most precious art. Devastation was wrought throughout the continent, and as much of the population died, peace was well welcomed.

Likewise, World War II was the most destructive conflict of modern times. And its spark help start off new races for political, cultural and military global supremacy. After America eventually rose above the USSR and the forever-frozen Cold War arms battle, it seemed peace was the answer to all. But, the new emperor did not care for the world beyond his immediate circle. Like Louis, avarice long ago seized George W. Bush.

While Louis continually fought wars to gain control of the merchant-commerce wealthy Netherlands, Bush fought for oil wealth in Afghanistan and Iraq. Both invaded nations were to have their relatively short independence castrated by imperial adventurism. Many would die, and the bloodbath of the previous devastation prolonged. Even those at home feared the coercive and ever-indebted State. Like Louis, Bush wasted a great nation's needed bullion on careless and goal-less wars. The definition of victory in Iraq remains elusive.

Despite all the concerted efforts of the most powerful militaries of the world, the intruder eventually faces expulsion, but only as the angry mob thrusts weight on its own castle doors, desperately attempting to send a wave through the bullet proof, sound secured lair. The financial crisis would only fuel future Revolution, and the People knew it.

Bush will continue to slash and burn, rape and steal, pilger and profit till icy death grips him in sleep. His erratic rule has spawned a thousand new petty dictators in the wake, all clamoring for the same false riches the new Sun King seeks. While we can thank the 22nd Amendment that Bush can only terrorize America for eight years, Louis got fifty-four. Unfortunately, the damage may be even greater.