Heartfelt

Heartfelt

Postby Monika » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:12 pm

Tommy in the Long War
David Danelo | June 22, 2006
(With apologies to Rudyard Kipling.)



I landed in Iraq today, my third time in the fight,

The pilot said, “be safe out there,” but he’d be home tonight.

The flight attendants smile and nod; a few have choked back tears,

I strolled into the scorching sand, twice older than my years.

O it's Tommy this, and Tommy that, and "Tommy, thank you, son!"

When talk comes of a troop increase, the politicians run,

The politicians run, my boys, the politicians run,

When four-stars say they need more men, the politicians run.



I came back home and glanced around – what had my fighting done?

They say that we’re a land at war, but all are having fun;

Marines are bleeding daily while the beach bums get a tan,

And gangsta hoods are heroes, not the soldiers in the ‘Stan.

For it's Tommy this, and Tommy that, and "Tommy, here’s your bags,"

But all the people ever do is shop and fly their flags,

Go shop and fly your flags, my boys, go shop and fly your flags,

We’ll beat fanatics trapped in caves by flying lots of flags.



Yes, patronizing warriors that will guard you while you sleep,

Is easier to do when waging warfare on the cheap.

Magnetic yellow ribbons on the back of SUVs,

Will never bring a suicidal fascist to his knees.

So it's Tommy this, and Tommy that, and "Tommy, you’re so swell."

But everyone were heroes on the day the towers fell,

The day the towers fell, my boys, the day the towers fell,

The citizens were heroes on the day the towers fell.



We’re not a bunch of heroes, nor are we a bunch of slobs,

We call ourselves the warriors, and we’re here to do our jobs;

And if sometimes our conduct isn't all your fancy paints,

Why, killing Al Zarqawi isn’t work for plaster saints;

While it's Tommy this, and Tommy that, and "Tommy, you’re so brave!"

But it’s lectures from reporters when they talk Abu Ghraib,

They talk Abu Ghraib, my boys, they talk Abu Ghraib,

Can’t they find some other stories besides old Abu Ghraib?



You talk of winning this Long War, and freedom and all that:

But once we don’t need oil, we’ll be gone in seconds flat.

The answer to Iraq is not an easy one to face,

Is it ten years for honor, or a national disgrace?

For it's Tommy this, and Tommy that, and "Shut him up, the dolt!"

But something must be wrong when all the generals revolt;

Well, it's Tommy this, and Tommy that, and anything you please;

But Tommy ain’t nobody’s fool – you can bet that Tommy sees!
If at first you don't succeed, sky diving isn't for you!
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Postby Rowan » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:43 pm

How sad and only too true.
Avoid the evil, and it will avoid thee.
Gaelic Proverb

Ad eundum quo nemo ante iit.
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Postby Maywalk » Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:53 am

Very true and like Rowan I too think its sad. :sad:
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Postby Josieclick » Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:34 am

Kipling's with no apology



Recessional

God of our fathers, known of old--
Lord of our far-flung battle line
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies;
The captains and the kings depart:
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

Far-called, our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe--
Such boasting as the Gentiles use
Or lesser breeds without the law--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard--
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding, calls not Thee to guard--
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord!
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