The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Opinion

Discussion

September 24, 2012

Your View: Nothing is solved

By Mike Sparlin Special to The Globe

JOPLIN, Mo. — We Americans are a pathetic lot right now.

The right and the left are currently waging fabricated “wars’ over women and health care and abortion and gay marriage and selfish, striking teachers and union rights and Medicare and Medicaid and military budget cuts and countless other vital domestic issues. In the meantime, we aren’t even allowed to mention the very real war brewing that is very capable of ending life as we know it in America, even within the next generation.

Despite the fact that we still have boots on the ground in former and current terrorist strongholds, such as Afghanistan and Iraq, and despite the fact that the Arab Spring continues to give birth and rebirth to scores of America-hating governments, we are urged to refrain from uttering offensive phrases like “war on terror” and “Islamic fundamentalists” in the name of tolerance and diversity.

It’s time we called what’s going on by what it is ... terror. The list of those whom Islamic terrorists consider their sworn enemy is a long one and virtually every American is on it. The list includes Christians and Jews and Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons and, yes, even atheists and agnostics. It also includes moderate Muslims as well as Republicans and Democrats and heterosexuals and homosexuals and bisexuals and those who are pro-life and those who are pro-choice. It includes teachers and machinists and bus drivers and airline pilots. It includes union members and those who are not. It includes those with jobs and those without.

Sadly, coming together as Americans now happens only after a 9/11-like event occurs. Anything less than that, such as the current uprisings, murder and mayhem in the Middle East, simply results in more political posturing and finger-pointing. Nothing is solved. As a nation, we become even weaker. As Americans, even more vulnerable. Yet someday, we’ll be forced back together for a short while and wonder how yet another horrific attack has occurred on our soil and why so many innocent Americans had to die.

For now, though, back to more in-depth coverage about naked royal family members while the band plays on.

Mike Sparlin

Joplin

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