As reported in Salon, there was this little gem from our fearless leader:
“I must say, I’m a little envious. If I were slightly younger and not employed here, I think it would be a fantastic experience to be on the front lines of helping this young democracy succeed.
It must be exciting for you … in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger. You’re really making history, and thanks.”
First of all, he’s in great shape from all that brush clearing, so I say we make an exception. Secondly, I think for most of the people there, the “romance” is gone.
I also think it gives a big clue into the mentality that continually gets us into these wars. This sort of “romanticism” of adventure (and sadly killing) is the hallmark of the lead up, only to be followed by the resultant disillusionment as the shell shocked and permanently damaged start returning home. There’s a lot of documentation of this pre-WWI, and all the wars I’ve been privy to have shared the same sort of enthusiasm. It’s kind of sick really, though personally I can’t say I’m not entirely immune.
Boys will be boys you know!
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