Joe Scarborough Releases Antiwar Song Days Before 9/11 Anniversary
Days before the tenth anniversary of 9/11, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough released an antiwar song featuring powerful images of that horrible attack on our nation along with a message to bring our soldiers home from our current incursions.
The music video "Reason To Believe" was aired on Thursday's "Morning Joe," and I caught up with the host by phone shortly after the show's conclusion (video follows with highlights along with commentary from Scarborough and me):
As the video begins, a woman answers a phone giving her the horrible news that her husband - and father of her son - has died in the Twin Towers.
Scarborough sings, "In the flash of an hour, watching dreams fall from towers, all I once knew came tumbling down."
What immediate follows along with the song are still pictures from that awful day guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye.
From there, the images turn to Iraq and Afghanistan, as the boy seen earlier with the widow has now grown up and enlisted.
Scarborough sings, "In an endless war, tell me please how many more have to die, before my sweet boy comes home."
The video ends with the soldier returning to his widowed mother as Scarborough sings, "At the end of the hour, when I'm drained of all power, I still find a reason to believe."
To be sure, the timing of this music video will likely raise eyebrows on both sides of the aisle. As such, I chatted with Scarborough by phone shortly after "Morning Joe" concluded Thursday.
He told me that he's been writing songs since he was thirteen, and that composing has been an important part of his life. This was one of roughly 300 to 400 he's crafted.
"Reason To Believe" was written ten years ago shortly after the towers came down. He was with his family, and composing this was one of the ways he "coped" with the tragedy.
The original tune was more optimistic: he had a "reason to believe" America would get through this stronger than ever. As the tenth anniversary approached, he played it a few weeks ago, and thought it was time to release it to the public.
"Now things are not as optimistic," he told me, "because of two wars and a muddled foreign policy."
To make his point stronger, he chose a country/folk sound which really isn't his type of music. He's a Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello guy.
"But this was more Americana," he said.
Although he knows he's going to take heat from the right and the left, he doesn't see this as an antiwar song or political in any way.
"Democrats and Republicans alike have all been touched by this," he said. "Liberals will be critical because they'll say I should have been against both wars from the start. Meanwhile, the neocons will be critical because they don't want to leave."
He thought a moment and continued, "I have yet to find people in mid-America - liberals or conservatives - that think we should be spending $2 billion a week to rebuild Afghanistan."
This might be true, but folks on both sides of the aisle are going to question the timing no matter what his intention.
This will certainly be true for conservatives who already doubt Scarborough's ideological bona fides. A song like this gives them more evidence that he's just a Republican in Name Only, especially given how the media are likely to receive this piece.
The perilously liberal Huffington Post has already written about it:
Though his face never appears in the video, Scarborough's song resonates partly because he's the one sending the message. It says something about the antiwar canon of this generation that a conservative has been one of the most vocal critics of America's wars.
Actually, if the Post was paying attention, there have been prominent conservatives - including George Will - that have been requesting our departure from Afghanistan for quite some time.
But the larger point is how left-wing publications and outlets like HuffPo will likely use this song to bash the policies of the previous administration - as if they need any more fodder for that.
With a critical election nearing, should such a prominent right-leaning voice be giving critics of conservatives and the Tea Party any more ammunition?
This is especially concerning as Scarborough's song is destined to get far more liberal attention.
As I spoke to him, he and cohost Mika Brzezinski were on their way to ABC's "The View" where Scarborough will sing "Reason To Believe" for the first time in public in front of the gals sitting on their couch.
This will surely win him the adoration of Joy and Whoopi.
A star is born.
Exit question: Do you see this as an antiwar song or heartfelt sentiments from someone that initially saw these incursions as just but thinks it's time for them to end?
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Comments
I actually don't mind
Submitted by bkeyser on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 10:45am.
the $2B/wk, but we should be using it to destroy Afghanistan rather than rebuilding it. We'd be done a lot sooner.
Oh, and Scarborough's a tool.
Sad but true - there HAS to
Submitted by amyshulk on Fri, 09/09/2011 - 10:51am.
Sad but true - there HAS to be a "die out" for real change in attitude.
Ronald Reagan
I watched it on Morning Joe
Submitted by FAR52 on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 10:45am.
I watched it on Morning Joe this morning. I never came away with the impression that this was an anti-war song. I thought it was kind of hokey, but it had a compelling charm to it. Not sure why you or anyone else would think it to be controversial. There are a lot of things to complain about -- this doesn't seem like one of them.
You see me complaining? ns
Submitted by Noel Sheppard on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 10:47am.
You see me complaining? ns
My apologies. I thought you
Submitted by FAR52 on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:16pm.
My apologies. I thought you were being critical with your "anti-war" comment.
where was the complaint?
Submitted by Lord-come-soon-... on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 11:48am.
It was, I thought, an even handed examination.
Rod Stewart, anyone?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 10:46am.
Mandolins and fiddles.
Time to heal.
Submitted by E.S.Blofeld on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 10:47am.
Time to end it.
Ernst
"Isn't it pretty to think that way?"-EH
When the enemy is defeated,
Submitted by BD on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 6:38pm.
When the enemy is defeated, then it is time to end it.
Liberals?
Submitted by E.S.Blofeld on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 6:58pm.
LOL
Ernst
"Isn't it pretty to think that way?"-EH
It's Antiwar
Submitted by txradioguy on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 11:09am.
Of course It's anti-war. What else could it be...especially with the timing of it and the images he used.
Scarborough's a tool pretending to be a RINO on a show hardly anyone watches.
Pretty song
Submitted by Ruths husband Ben on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 11:24am.
I think it is a real pretty song. I am conflicted about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And pissed off about the one in Libya and Yemen.
Politicians make them endless.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 11:28am.
"In an endless war, tell me please how many more have to die, before my sweet boy comes home."
Joe, ask the politicians; your people! Left to their own devices, the US military would have ended this Shiite in six months or less. Afghanistan would have been a big smoking hole in the ground, and they'd still be working hard to get back up to the Stone Age again.
Syria, Iran, Iraq don't like it? More smoking holes, although I have an idea it wouldn't take more than about two to convince them that we really meant it.
That's the secret. The world has to believe that we will strike back hard. We got 9/11 after several other hits that we took with a sad face, and a swat at nothing. Politicians keep getting us into this crap, but it's the GI who has to die for them. Politicians unleash the mightiest military in the world, them take their foot of the gas and put it on the brake.
We must be willing to kill every last enemy we have if we want to survive, and our enemy must believe it. If they did believe it, we wouldn't have to kill them, and our GI's wouldn't have to die.
EXACTAMUNDO NewsB...my
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:12pm.
EXACTAMUNDO NewsB...my sentiments. I said here 2 years ago that the Afghan shithole was no longer worth the life of any US/UK soldier. Got attacked as well.
That place should have been leveled straight off, especially Tora Bora -- MOAB their asses, with the promise that we would come back again should any of the rats dare raise their heads again.
But instead thousands of troops have died fighting with their hands tied behind their backs -- especially the Brits. You would not believe the PC rules of engagement they operated under.
The politicos spend our treasure -- and then stab the troops in the back at the first sign of PC rap.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
In my opinion the key center
Submitted by BD on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 8:01pm.
In my opinion the key center of gravity in this war against Islamo Fascism is the message of islamo fascism itself.
Right after 9/11/2001 the DOD recognized this and under Don Rumsfeld started a campaign to actually combat the message of Islamo Fascism through an office of information warfare which had the mission to get the US's and Western Worlds position to counter that of the mullahs.
Naturally, the US Media FREAKED! THey informed the DOD that putting out the US position was THEIR job and they would do it very nicely thank you much.
Sadly the Bush Administration caved and collapsed the nascent organization under the false belief that the liberals in the press and Hollywood would do their jobs. Foolishness of unimaginable scale.
So now the mullahs have open access with their message of Jihad. And we? Well we get screwed by the press at every turn and Hollywood actively wages against the US military.
Think of what would have happened if:
1.) A movie like "Redacted", "Lions for Lambs", or "In the valley of Elah" actually had a plot that showed US forces being irresistable at Fallujah with no self doubt, but showed the Jihadi's being doped up, torturing Shia when they caught them, and feared contact with the Marines?
2.) We actually had news reports listing the truth, that AQ finds it increasingly difficult to find people willing to die for something as bogus as 72 virgins when the AQ leadership itself will not strap on a bomb belt.
Song
Submitted by dan iroticiv on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 11:33am.
As a Dad who has a son in Afganistan, I think it is a shame that the 60s generation has turned being anti war into anti American or liberal. I am an independent who leans right on most issues, but I am anti war, I will always be anti war, and now that I have skin in the game, my wife and I want our child home in one piece. How many of you who are pro every stinken war are willing to give up your own life or your child's life for the "cause" It is so damn easy to sit in the comfort of your home and talk crap about the war. Neoconservatives can be just as hypocritical as the phony boloney depending who is office peaceniks.
Wow!
Submitted by Lord-come-soon-... on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 11:51am.
Dan, that was awesome. I hope and pray your son comes home safe and that we are out of that mess soon. God bless you.
Why did your son
Submitted by bkeyser on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 11:54am.
enlist?
He enlisted the same reason I
Submitted by dan iroticiv on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:15pm.
He enlisted the same reason I enlisted, and my most of my family enlisted to serve our country. He never complains, he does his duty. Since I have served and my son is serving now, I have a right to speak my mind. If it doesn't sit well with you, I don't give a shit
I didn't say it didn't sit well with me
Submitted by bkeyser on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:28pm.
nor did I say you don't have the right to speak your mind. I served myself; I'm a Marine Corps veteran. I'm not sure why your vitriol, but I do understand your apprehension about your son being in a war zone. I'm sure everyone here wishes the best for your son and we all hope he returns quickly and safely.
As for your son's decision to enlist- he obviously felt some calling, whether it was because he wanted to fight and defend this great country, or because he felt a legacy obligation; or possibly both. I simply asked why he chose to serve given your pacifism and two active wars.
dan victori,
Submitted by Agnostic on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:46pm.
Thank you and your son for your service.
I think you know that only a rare type of person is actually 'pro war'. Pro war comments are often made as simply a way of supporting the nation, trying to understand what seems an inherent evil of the world but mostly as a way of sending our thoughts and support to the troops. There are times when these comments may become too cavalier but since you were in the military you probably understand why this occurs.
I, and I'm sure all here, wish you to see your son home safely and quickly.
Amen!!
Submitted by Ozconservative on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 9:34pm.
No-one in their right mind is "pro-war". But only a gibbering idiot or a liberal (one and the same) would think that military conflict is not an option when dealing with the worlds cruelest and most oppressive regimes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbQ4zPB-438&list=FLdaHeyXUvG1Ep9AeRWZDSfA...
Is your son a child or an
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:04pm.
Is your son a child or an adult? What makes you think that parents "sacrifice" their sons or daughters?
It's such an asinine talking point you raise. Truly perverted.
Maybe only people who have sons and daughters in the military should be allowed to vote? After all, politicians will be making the decisions on war. So maybe only the military should vote -- and their parents, of course? Just like that alien giant bug movie.
Why is it that liberals class 24 year old adults as "children" when it comes to the military or healthcare -- and treat 12 year old children as adults when it come to abortion?
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
The only thing perverted sir
Submitted by dan iroticiv on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:22pm.
The only thing perverted sir is your attitude. My son is no talking point. I proudly served my country, as my son and nephews proudly serve their country this day; and yes I believe every individual should be mandated to serve their country. If I have a point of view that you consider asinine, you know what I really don't give a f...ck.
Me neither on the eff. The
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:39pm.
Me neither on the eff.
The American people do not want to return to the draft. And neither does the miliary.
Your asininity refers to your implication that the only people who have a say on war and the military are those who served.
An interesting position, that happens to be completely unsustainable, not merely by the US constitution but by common sense.
The fact that you have served does not make your "arguments" logical. Sorry.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
Dan, thank you and his mom ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:10pm.
... and thank your son, and all the other sons and daughters who have come before him, and who will come after.
Believe it; he WILL come home to you. He will do his duty, and he will never be more proud of anything he will do in life.
No one is more anti-war than an American fighting man or woman. They would rather end it quickly with a devastating blow, devoid of rules that make that impossible, and return home. The difference between them and the other 95% of their generation is that they love this country and our way of life, and you and mom, so much that they will stand between you and someone who is trying to take it away from us all. Someone who is willing to kill all of us to do it, if necessary.
Be proud of your son.
Not the only one
Submitted by Utherpend on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:20pm.
I have friends and family in Iraq and Afghanistan, my Niece is thinking of joining up so while I dont like to think of any one dying they know there is always a chance in war. Being an isolationist is how two world wars were started and if you wish to be that way then perhaps America is not what you think it is. We dont normally pick fights but neither should we run or avoid it at all costs, the costs are much higher in the end. Look at the hundreds of thousands slaughtered in the Balkans during the Clinton years due to inaction.
"We dont normally pick fights" ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:06pm.
... which is a damned good plan, but when a fight picks us, we should bring the wrath of Heaven and earth down on their heads until they surrender unconditionally, or are totally destroyed.
Unfortunately we have a RBFSOB in the White House now Who apparently wants to pick fights; Egypt, Libya, Syria, and God knows what next. Instead of just leaving Iraq, He wants to draw down to the point that our forces won't even be able to defend themselves much less do anything else. That is the making for a new war in the future for some other president, but does Bambi give a Shiite?
I predict that in two more years He will have the entire Middle East and North Africa burning with war. Yeah, He likes to pick'em, but He doesn't have a clue about how to win'em. I'm not even sure He really wants to.
Every fighting man or woman is anti-war.
Submitted by UpNorth on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:32pm.
But, they also recognize that someone has to fight, when the fight is brought to us. I, too, have a son who's in the military. He's been to Afghanistan twice, and Somalia and Gulf War 1. So, yeah, he's been there. Glad to see you "have skin in the game", but I would remind you, it isn't a game. You don't know it, but you've always had "skin in the game". Maybe not your son, but maybe your nephew or niece, or a neighbor who enlisted. Or a co-worker's son or daughter. It's just too bad you were so selfish that you didn't realize that everyone has "skin in the game".
Further, I enlisted in the Army back in 66, the day after the battle of the Ia Drang Valley began, and the TV news was full of images of dead and wounded American soldiers. I had "skin" in that game, too. But, a portion of our population decided that they'd rather turn their backs on us, because they "felt" that war is bad.
And, I'm anti-war. I hate the 7th century savages who've brought war to us, but they brought this on themselves. And I agree with the other posters here, A-stan should have been a smoking hole in the ground.
Mr. Victori....
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:43pm.
As a former active duty Marine, I want to you know that I also had skin in the game.... MINE..... and one of my sons that I lost in Iraq. Remember that some of us still have children in the Service, and have served ourselves. So if I, or my fellow vets "Talk Crap" about the war, its because we feel that we are just a little bit entitled to. Now as to your statement about the anti war being anti American or Liberal...... I would suggest that you look who led the movement in the 60's. It wasn't Level headed thinkers like yourself, that had a logical reason to oppose open warfare in foreign countries, it was the dope smoking hippie draft dodgers that refused to go and did everything they could to undermine the effort to win. You see when the media went negative after the TET Offensive in Vietnam, the PR war in America was lost. The TRUTH was that the NVA and Viet cong were reeling after TET and had the politicos in Washington DC given the military the green light we would have ended the Vietnam war in VICTORY by late 1969- early 1970. I want to thank your young man (Or maybe its a young lady) for his or her service, they do the work that the majority will not do. and for that I thank them. And I thank you, SIR..... for raising your children to understand that America is a Great Country and it remains great because young people like your child are willing to serve so again I thank them and I thank you.
I am not anti-war, I am
Submitted by LAM SON 719 on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 2:05pm.
I am not anti-war, I am anti-losing and anti-fighting with my hands tie behind my back because some shithead in DC didn't want to offend someone. In all these years I never questioned myself as to why I went, only why they wouldn't let us win. The reasons for Vietnam weren't wrong, the NV communist progoms after 75 and Pol Pot proved that. We were close to winning and the liberal shitbags pissed it away so they could feel good. They are doing the same thing all over again with islam and the chinese. Every son of a bitch in DC should be forced to go to Tuol Sleng and see what their ideas accomplish.
That phrase, "anti-war" is such a piece of crap.
Submitted by WhoIsJohnGalt on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:46pm.
because it conveys a message that there are those who are "pro-war", and that's nowhere near accurate. Very few twisted individuals like war. Even the most strident "neocons" are not in favor of war, except as a tool to accomplish a goal that our nation has determined is worthwhile. And only to be used when all other reasonable courses of action has failed. And one you pull that tool out, you'd better use it wisely and properly...swiftly and completely.
We were all (almost all)on the same page after 9-11, but after some time and ridiculous backtracking by spineless politicians, people got weary of the wars, and understandably so. Turn the military loose to complete the job, and we'll be outta there in short order.
Dan
Submitted by GONAVY on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:57pm.
Thank your son for his service, my prayers are with him. I don't know about you, but my son applied for a military scholarship of his own free will. I had nothing to do with it. He made that decision. I am proud he served. I worried everday he was deployed and very happy when he returned. I hope your son returns safely also.
Hay I'm anti-war! Get all them Won now.
Submitted by upcountrywater on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 2:10pm.
The West has a technology window, at the moment, (while electrons and oil still flow).
Using conventional weapons (?) blast all the the following sites, screw borders. Shock and Awe, shariastan.
Target the following: .
Yea sure it's Home made kinds of stuff.
You Didn't Build That.
REASON TO BELIEVE? Didn't
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 11:52am.
REASON TO BELIEVE?
Didn't Rod Stewart write that song about 30 years ago?
ADDENDUM -- it was written by Tim Hardin in the 1960s. Stewart's is just the most famous version.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
But did you know,,,
Submitted by NJRightWinger12 on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:19pm.
That Rod didnt mean for it to be released? It was the flip side of Maggie May, which of course would be his first big solo record, and Reason was the B side-remember them, kids, on the other side of the 45's that you listened to? Some radio stations played that first, cause they thought that was a BETTER song than Maggie May, and after Rod interceded, they corrected themselves. but people started to like Reason, so the DJ's played both sides, too. THATS how it becase what they called a Double sided hit! ..
And this is Casey Kasem, for American Top 40, and now, back to our countdown, lol!
NJ -- no I did not know
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:34pm.
NJ -- no I did not know that!
Now, did you know that the original Maggie May is an traditional old Liverpool song about a prostitute? also believed to be the inspiration for the American ballad "Darling Nellie Grey".
Oh, Maggie, Maggie May, they have taken you away
And you'll never walk down Lime Street anymore
You may search from here to China, you'll not find a girl that's finer
That is finer than my darlin' Maggie May
Also released by the Beatles in 1970 -- and sung many times before.
And yes I have walked doem Lime Street many times. Never saw Maggie though.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
If there's an anti-war song...
Submitted by AgentAmerican on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:02pm.
I may be a hard-boiled conservative, but my "hope for peace" song was John Lennon's Imagine, not only a great tune by an ex-Beatle, but it helps to meditate about 9/11. I long for a world where you don't have to worry about a cult that wants to destroy western civilization.
It seems like the left is actively helping the Islamobastards foster an atmosphere of fear and violence. Anything to bring down America as they despise it.
As Aesop said...union (as in united) creates strength. That's the last thing Obama and his rotten followers want.
Imagine -- Urggghhhh....
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:21pm.
Imagine -- Urggghhhh.... Lennon's WORST SONG evah!
The commie manifesto to music.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
Imagine...
Submitted by pockets64 on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:59pm.
there's no Heaven.
Which is no big deal for an atheist commie
there's no countries.
A goal for a one-world-order commie
no possessions.
OK. Give up the computer you're reading this on.
no hunger.
I can live with that. But don't take stuff off my plate and give it to another. I give plenty on my own.
Not really much to like about that song.
Are you sure it wasn't Give
Submitted by stratman on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 6:21pm.
Are you sure it wasn't Give Peace A Chance? (A catchy but propagandistically posed jingo for the cameras)
Loving war
Submitted by pockets64 on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:27pm.
Very few of us who have worn the uniform love war. Mostly, we hate it. Many of us (not necessarily me) have seen family and friends die in war. Many of us have family and friends still in the breach. We hate the notion of losing those whom we hold so dear and precious.
However, we hate even more our nation being attacked or kicked about. Coddling the evil-doers of this world never works (ask Carter re Iran). Ignoring them never works (ask Clinton re Iraq). Bribing them is only a short-term solution (ask the Romans re the Huns). Holding a hard defensive line is a folly (ask the French re the Germans).
Sometimes you just have to go in and assertively project power into their faces in a manner they will not soon forget (ask the Romans re the Carthaginians).
Many of us who have worn the uniform are conservative. Painting conservatives with the brush saying we love war is a flat-out bigoted lie.
Excellent observations. Thank
Submitted by Jack Bauer on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:28pm.
Excellent observations. Thank you.
All of the above Mr Obama? --- How about ALL OF THE BELOW, instead.
What JB said.
Submitted by UpNorth on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:34pm.
Well said.
Thank you
Submitted by Marcus Porcius on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 2:54pm.
Exactly right.
I'm glad I never had to kill anyone but I was proud to be part of the "you will not cross this line" message at the time (I was stationed in Berlin).
It's the same reason we own guns.
Nobody "loves" or "wants" violence or war, but we are, unlike whiny liberals, prepared to do what's necessary.
"Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions." G.K. Chesterton
www.theconservativereview.com
Perhaps Joe Scarborough will write one more song.
Submitted by Gary Hall on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:39pm.
Wonderful, Noel.
This gets me spinning.
Joe - here's one who wishes to engage in a conversation.
Leaving the dollar amount ($2 billion/wk) off the table for the purpose for a larger look, this is a decades old internal discussion with me.
The US, under President Carter started funding the opposition to the Soviet presence in Afghanistan back in the late 1970's. When the Imperialist Soviet's finally invaded, militarily, Carter - with the push from Rep. Charlie Wilson - began more direct covert funding of the opposition - the Mujahideen.
After President Reagan was elected, Charlie kept pushing and Reagan upped the aid. It was successful, and the Soviet's efforts to conquer Afghanistan was thwarted. What was left behind in Afghanistan, was a fatherless rubble of despair.
George H W Bush was President, and while there was much wrangling for financial aid to provide aid and assist in the rebuilding, etc., in this dark void that the war had left behind, there was no stomach in Washington, from either side of the isle, nor from the White House to put much effort, or money here. We did some.
Notice - I haven't mentioned the hapless United Nations yet. Nor, have I mentioned other world bodies or countries. I suspect it's safe to say that all turned their back on Afghanistan.
In the mid-90's, following years of internal civil conflict/war in that aftermath, the Taliban finally seized control of the country. Estimates are that 60,000 to 100,000 died in the final conflict and aftermath during the Clinton era. Murder, horrific human rights violations and basic genocide followed.
There was no Libya, Kosovo, or Iraq style effort pushed by the Clinton White House, the UN, nor other world bodies. Pretty much, everyone looked the other way. While there were women's rights activists drawing attention to some of the horror, there certainly was never any "SaveDarfur.Org" sort of movement - nor awareness.
In this horrid environment which followed, Al Qaeda found an office to operate from in planning it's numerous attacks on the US, others, and in launching 9/11.
Now - other than this long and expensive road in chasing Al Qaeda, and subsequently their closet partners in horror, the Taliban, out of power in Afghanistan - the country is still mired in this horror of the past 30 years.
I don't know what is properly required in the moment, for at every step along the way the depth of this dark void of the rubble left behind and it's mark on humanity, continues to grow darker; however, I do believe - in my heart - that there as been a keen lack of imagination, of leadership, and of vision from the top down, from the UN and from other world bodies and world leaders, for these past 30 years, in coming together and engaging in an open discussion involving the entire saga.
At the center of this lack of vision, I would suggest is the media. They hated that we were helping defeat the Communists. They go silent on the suffering left behind. They remain silent as the country and it's once-proud people's are ransacked. They wince, when we go in following 9/11. And, they seldom, if never, say 'enough is enough - 30 years is too long. Let's all stand together and fix the damn problem.
The US (no-one else will) should lay it all out, and call on the world to chip in and bring this thing to a successful and final ending, once and for all.
Does Russia carry just a wee bit of responsibility here?
The USSR did not go into Afghanistan with the intent of overturning some terrible dictator or dangerous regime ; rather, they were simply on a march, looking to conquest and to establish satellite countries on their path to a southern port.
Perhaps Joe Scarborough will write one more song.
Noel, you willing to make one more phone call?
(;~> gary
I'm not going to doubt Scarborough's sincerity . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:20pm.
. . . but to me, he's always had an ego bigger than his record. Congressman, TV host, songwriter/singer - - - they all fit into his quasi-Renaissance Man self-image.
Some TV hosts hawk their books. Others hawk merchandise. Scarborough's show will undoubtably hawk his song, and MSNBC will hail the courage of a conservative (he calls himself one) who is against war. Has he said if the proceeds are going to charity?
I'm not interested in his song. We will be deluged with sappy songs this weekend -- as they command onboard USN warships, "Brace for shock!"
Yeah, hes a real Renaissance Man,,
Submitted by NJRightWinger12 on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:21pm.
Lousy in everything, great at NOTHING! What a liberal tool! And that VOICE! Needless to say, no ones going to confuse him for Tony Bennett, except for their pre-9/11 liberal viewpoints!
ANTI-WAR???
Submitted by Geez Louise on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:11pm.
My old mother, God rest her soul, used to say: 'If the Congress wants to go to war, well & good. BUT....Let the members of Congress go first, and then draft every eligible male/female citizen over AGE 40, and let them go fight. Then see how many wars the Congress declares under those rules.'
I hate to disagree with your dear sweet mother, but...
Submitted by pockets64 on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 1:52pm.
I don't think I could carry a pack or get into a decent firing position like I did when I was younger. :-) There would be a lot of heart attacks at the Quarter Master's when your new draftees try to heft the new body armor off the counter.
I like the "Starship Troopers" concept saying that only those who have served honorably (civilian or military) can be citizens. It's not practical, but it's fun to think about.
Had we followed your mother's advice in Dec 1941, . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 10:37pm.
. . . today we'd be using Japanese computers and driving German cars.
What does Al Queda think
Submitted by okie-pastor on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 2:36pm.
What does Al Queda think about the song?
I'm sure we will find out tonight on MSNBC!
It's the natural progression I guess
Submitted by Marcus Porcius on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 2:51pm.
Recording artists tend to be liberal tools, so it's only fitting that a liberal tool go the other way too.
Unfortunately, Joe's singing ability is just about as bad as his intellectual honesty and political savvy.
In all things, Joe's a hack.
'nuff said.
"Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions." G.K. Chesterton
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