Diary: Newt's Grand Vision

The following paragraphs are from an article by David Postman, in the Seattle Times:

[article] Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich says America is in World War III and President Bush should say so.... Gingrich said in the coming days he plans to speak out publicly, and to the Administration, about the need to recognize that America is in World War III.

He lists wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, this week's bomb attacks in India, North Korean nuclear threats, terrorist arrests and investigations in Florida, Canada and Britain, and violence in Israel and Lebanon as evidence of World War III. He said Bush needs to deliver a speech to Congress and "connect all the dots" for Americans.

He said the reluctance to put those pieces together and see one global conflict is hurting America's interests. He said people, including some in the Bush Administration, who urge a restrained response from Israel are wrong "because they haven't crossed the bridge of realizing this is a war."

"This is World War III," Gingrich said. And once that's accepted, he said calls for restraint would fall away... There is a public relations value, too. Gingrich said that public opinion can change "the minute you use the language" of World War III. The message then, he said, is "'OK, if we're in the third world war, which side do you think should win?" [end article]

So why not grant Newt his wish: Bring out the nukes! Eeehaaa! Blow 'em away! Whoopie! Blam, blam, blam! Ain't life a blast? Hot damn, it'd be more fun than a video game!

And let's not worry about when to stop, who the hell wants restraint? This is the Republican idea of fun, that half of American voted for (well, ok, a little less than half)! Hell, yes! What do you think we've been building all those nukes for, you pansies!? Bring 'em on! If you gots nukes, now's the time to join the action! This'll get 'em all to the poles this November, no doubt cheering for our side-our Republican side, of course.

Now, on the other hand... I can't help wondering about the radiation that we'll all be breathing and drinking. About the possibility of nuclear winter. About the crash of every economy on the planet. About the absence of fuel, which is the basis for our survival (well, maybe Hugo will lend a hand). About the horror and agony and devastation. About the beginning of the end of civilization, about the collapse of ecosystems and perhaps our species. About trashing that little blue planet that is ours and ours alone, to snuff or to cherish.

Ok, on second thought, why not pack up Newt, Ann, Sean, Rush, George, Dick, Donald, Sayyed, and Ehud, along with a few dozen others. Let's send them to... woa! Send 'em to Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake, and we can blow up the road. Give 'em all the guns and ammo they want, even food and water and let them have their way. No restraint, that is the only rule--restraint is forbidden. Who knows, it might even be fun to see these freaks of nature actually fending for themselves, rather than living like the sick, demented parasites that they are.

Meanwhile, let the rest of us sit at the table and start talking about feeding the poor, drinking water for kids everywhere, justice and equity for every single one of our species, education for all, and a few other things I have in mind.