Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Rest In Peace

No, I'm not talking about Michael Jackson. Let's get some clarity here; Michael Jackson was enormously talented and I enjoyed watching him perform back in the days of his album, Thriller. However, he wasn't a hero, he was very strange and I believe his life was very sad in many ways.

Yet, President Obama takes the time to write a note to the Jackson family, Jesse Jackson, Jr. asks for a moment of silence in Congress and, I'm told, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee wants to memoralize him as a "humanitarian".

We have lost several soldiers in the last few days in Afghanistan. Did Obama take note of their deaths? Did Congress have a moment of silence to remember them? Does Jackson Lee make any public statements about their courage and sacrifice?

The answer, of course, is a resounding "no". This country has become profoundly ridiculous in its fascination with celebrities. There was a time when the idea of an Al Franken running for the Senate would be laughed at; it was simply unthinkable. Yet, today we have "Senator" Al Franken. If you stopped 100 people on the street, I'd bet that more of them could tell you about American Idol than could tell you who their senators and representatives in the House are.

So, for those soldiers who have died fighting for democracy - rest in peace. Our soldiers who are still fighting are in my thoughts and prayers.


No comments:

Post a Comment