Why is it that our American leaders don’t seem to learn from past mistakes involving military conflicts? Whenever I get involved in a debate about Vietnam or Iraq, it seems so obvious to me and others that military force or hegemony just doesn’t work anymore. But, here we are again involved in an armed conflict with no end in sight, and a presidential candidate singing the praises of war. Can’t they see that old truths about war and warriors are no longer useful? What exactly has happened to change this, and why do we still adamantly cling to the old warrior ways?


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In a short article pertaining to daydreaming in the new Scientific American Mind, April/May ‘07, it discusses the cause and physiology behind daydreaming and how our brains are designed to wander. According to the new study, humans have portions of the brain that are dedicated to wonderment and daydreaming. This region of the brain is turned off and on while our focus changes throughout the day.

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If you have ever wondered why we have the two symbols for the main political parties, then maybe I can help you out. First, we probably need an explanation for each that was taken from America (The Book), A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction by Jon Stewart, et al. By the way, I love this book. It is the most informative and hilarious book I have ever purchased that answers every question about politics that you were too afraid to ask. And, don’t forget to buy the “Teacher’s Edition” so that you can get the most out of the least factual data. It is funny. Here is Jon Stewart’s take on the two political parties…

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Who won the debate? Well, no one “won” the debate, but I don’t think the majority of the candidates wanted to win over the other at this time. With the Democrats being attacked by the Republicans (Rudy) as insufficient to protect and lead this country through these times, they needed more than ever to stand together and show that they can take on the responsibility. They played it safe and concentrated on the faults of the Bush administration. Which I think was a good idea. If too many of them came out swinging for the fences, it would not look good for the party in general. Right now they need to look sharp, united and mentally tough to win over the undecided voters who are shaky over this “securing the country” rhetoric.

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Here is something you don’t read in the newspaper or hear in the media. It has to do with the hidden cost of the Iraq War that nobody wants to talk about. This has to do with the new types of injuries that are causing neurologists to worry about the impact to medical care of hundreds of thousands of troops who are at risk for potentially disabling neurological disorders. For the first time, the U.S. military is treating more head injuries than chest or abdominal wounds, and it is ill-equipped to do so. They estimate that at least 30 percent of the troops who have engaged in active combat for four months or longer in Iraq and Afghanistan could be affected and some apparently without suffering a scratch or no external signs of trauma. Why? What makes this war any different than the Vietnam war? And why is this so much more of a problem?

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When Laura Bush was on the Today Show, she was asked by Anne Curry how she feels about the Iraq War. When Curry specifically mentioned suffering, Laura Bush wanted to make sure that America understood that no one suffers more than her and her husband. Wow, I did not know that life in the White House was so harsh. It must be worse than a war torn country suffering from constant fear, little money, little food, constant oppression and acts of violence for her to say that… right? Or, maybe she is just as delusional as her mindless, soulless husband George W. Bush.

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