A CHAT WITH THE PROFESSOR
The Professor is very fond of Bulgarian Honey. Somehow he manages to maintain a robust suply at the old brownstone in Manhattan under the careful supervision of Antoine, the all-around valet. Breakfast this morning included pieces of French Toast made with an outstanding brand of Pennsylvania bread that upon toasting, gave the Bulgarian honey the best opportunity to show off its quality and excellence. So, in between bites of French Toast, I asked the Professor:
"What do you think of the current battle taking place among politicians, newsmen, TV sages and otherwise, coherent and incoherent academicians and some of the general public about the return of the troops deployed in Iraq?"
"This is just another link in a chain of events that can best be described as pathetic, disgraceful, revolting, third worldish, anti american and almost criminal. Here we are planning to leave Iraq after having made a holy mess of the country, the region, our reputation, our international relations and our prestige as Americans. What have we gained? Who have we liberated? How have we protected our country? How much have we spent? Is there any benefit?Any long term return on our criminal investment? What can we tell the relatives of those 20 thousand Americans dead an injured? The 100 thousand natives killed? Even the Bulgarian honey begins to taste bitter when I think about this subject!"
"Sorry Professor, I did not realize that you felt so deeply about this mess. You are right, Iraq has been an exercise in vanity. Our President, whose life had been a collection of failures, wanted so desperately to be a hero, like Dad. Invading Iraq made him a War President, as he so proudly announced after Rumsfeld let the legions loose. But, in my opinion, it is no time for recriminations or agonizing reproaches. We must avoid a war that, at this time, has some unhappy resemblance to the Vietnam episode. "
"Fine, pass the honey. So, what are you thinking of doing?"
"I am going to cut and run, Professor!"
"What do you think of the current battle taking place among politicians, newsmen, TV sages and otherwise, coherent and incoherent academicians and some of the general public about the return of the troops deployed in Iraq?"
"This is just another link in a chain of events that can best be described as pathetic, disgraceful, revolting, third worldish, anti american and almost criminal. Here we are planning to leave Iraq after having made a holy mess of the country, the region, our reputation, our international relations and our prestige as Americans. What have we gained? Who have we liberated? How have we protected our country? How much have we spent? Is there any benefit?Any long term return on our criminal investment? What can we tell the relatives of those 20 thousand Americans dead an injured? The 100 thousand natives killed? Even the Bulgarian honey begins to taste bitter when I think about this subject!"
"Sorry Professor, I did not realize that you felt so deeply about this mess. You are right, Iraq has been an exercise in vanity. Our President, whose life had been a collection of failures, wanted so desperately to be a hero, like Dad. Invading Iraq made him a War President, as he so proudly announced after Rumsfeld let the legions loose. But, in my opinion, it is no time for recriminations or agonizing reproaches. We must avoid a war that, at this time, has some unhappy resemblance to the Vietnam episode. "
"Fine, pass the honey. So, what are you thinking of doing?"
"I am going to cut and run, Professor!"
posted by aurelio23 at 10:22 AM
0 comments
