Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Thy Hand for..............a Medallion?

AP reports that President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor to Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry, who lost his hand in Afghanistan when he tried to toss an enemy grenade away from himself and two colleagues.

When examining the facts recollected within the Army's limited context (one battle involving a few individuals), Mr. Petry's actions most likely saved the lives of his colleagues. I am certain they are grateful and it is understandable that they would like to see Mr. Petry recognized.. But when analyzing this event from a much broader perspective, one can reach some different conclusions.

Mr. Petry swapped a piece of scrap metal in exchange for a God-given hand. In order to escape a life of pain and loss, Mr. Petry now faces a future of continual delusion and belief in the myths that inspired him to involve himself in such a conflict. He must preserve this delusion to prevent the realization that his presence in Afghanistan was illegitimate and not necessary. Any such realization will only create grief and displeasure that the sacrifice of his treasured appendage was not worth it. Trading a God-given hand sounds fair only if you believe the nation-state is your God and you are willing to sacrifice your life, blood, or limbs to help project its depraved power. It is only worth it if you believe that your life, limbs, health, and freedom are subordinate to the needs, goals, and directives of the nation-state to whom you submit and prostrate yourself in unbending allegiance.

No mention was made in the Army's account of the illegal act of aggression instigated by the US regime (under the leadership of Emperor George W. Bush) that put Mr. Petry in a country he had no business being in, in the first place.

No mention was made that if The Emperor had not illegally attacked Afghanistan that Mr. Petry would likely still have his hand today.

No mention is made that the so-called “enemy” mentioned in the account were merely inhabitants of this country that was invaded and were actively defending themselves. What should they have done? Allowed themselves to be overrun and massacred to please the US legions and their controlling political masters?

Finally, no mention is made of the inconvenient truth and sobering reality that the real hero in this particular incident is the individual who threw the grenade to defend his home from crusading, barbaric aggressors.

Just who is right and/or heroic in war is dependent on your perspective of the conflict. How your mind focuses and processes such information depends on your world view- whether you view actions as a free, critically thinking, empathetic human being or as an obedient, indoctrinated pawn, shackled by misplaced loyalties, fallacious faith, and jingoistic tunnel vision.

No comments: