I have been stunned by two events that are in the news right now. These are serious subjects and I can't believe how little we have learned to get to this point.
The first was the American soldier gunning down 16 people, 9 of which were children (The others were women) a couple of weeks ago, in Afghanistan. This man served 3 tours in Iraq; had suffered a head injury and lost part of one foot. He had been promised he would not be deployed again. He was. He had spent some time drinking with fellow soldiers before he walked out of camp, fully armed. Alcohol is illegal in Muslim countries. Why was it there? I'm smart enough to know that anything banned is black marketed as soon as you can snap your fingers.... and we've been there for a decade now. So, I'm not really surprised it's there.
I don't doubt he shouldn't have been deployed. This is a very troubled individual for sure. Life, as he knew it, is over. It is also over for his family. It absolutely destroyed many Afghan families.
This followed the burning of many Korans in Bagram Air Base a few weeks before. I believe our soldiers did not realize what the books were. This is what I choose to believe. Maybe I am naive. That started riots in the streets and attacks on our forces, putting them in more danger than usual.
Now this. Our troops have been ordered out of the cities (humble as they are) and back to the bases. I say.... get out. The time has come to bring our men and women home.
I can't believe we are in the same position we were in, during the 1970s when Marvin sang this song.
The other news story that has me hanging my head. is the down right murder of 17 year old Trayvon Martin by "Neighborhood Watch" member George Zimmerman. Zimmerman was told by the 911 operator to stop pursuing the teen. He did not. Trayvon was carrying a can of iced tea and a bag of Skittles. Zimmerman was carry a revolver and shot the defenseless teen. The boy can be heard crying for help on the 911 tape before you then hear the sound of a shot being fired. It rips out my heart. I cannot even begin to comprehend how his parents feel.
Leave it Marvin Gaye to ask the question we all are wondering.
( I'm also wondering about the guy in that green suit behind Marvin. Some things from the 70s should not come back in style!)
11 comments:
I'm with you..."WHAT'S GOING ON?" Tragic and it more than likely will not get any better soon.
Once upon a time...in another lifetime....i lived in Sanford, FL...it was a nice little town ..but...the growth of Disney World changed everything....So SAD..
I've been saying we should leave Afghanistan for years and in fact should have never gone there. That cursed place has seen fighting for over 600 years - do we learn nothing from history????
I also beleive we should never been in Iraq either -- nor should we be involved the "upcoming war" between in Israel and Iran.
If only our politicians lead from the battle front...
I'm with you. "Only love can conquer hate" WHAT'S GOING ON! I agree with what Iggy said. All of those stories are heart breaking.
We're living in some crazy times...unfortunately, I'm afraid they're going to get worse.
I agree, we need to bring our soldiers home--NOW!
A good caption for these events. Tragic, just tragic. So many lives destroyed by guns! Ban them all!
It is a sad bunch of events..I hope the Soldier gets the help he needs..sounds like he slipped through the cracks to me.
The boy in Florida..had a crazy man targeting him..and the shooter is not in jail..why??? How can this happen?? Where did we go wrong?? I don't think it would help to ban guns..then only the real crazy people would have them:(
Damn straight. Get the hell out of there. All this bull about "exit strategies" and other nonsense. We marched in quickly, we can march out just as damn quickly.
Yes, bring the troops home, please! Afghanistan is a unwinnable war.
And give the death penalty to the two men who murdered innocent civilians in Florida and Afghanistan.
All of them sad and confusing. The Trayvon Martin shooting has plagued my mind since my grandson is that age. I can not imagine losing a child like that. It is heartbreaking. I hope justice prevails.
Yep, leave it to Martin to ask the age old question.
It's sad to think this is the world we live in now.
Such needless horrific acts against our brothers.
Have yourself an awesomely blessed weekend sweetie.
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