The Vacuous Moment of Truth

The Vacuous Moment of Truth/The Moment of Vacuous Truth

We originally wanted to say something else in this posting. We originally wanted to give our attribute matrix analysis for the Iraq War situation like we did in our previous posting: The Scorecard. Perhaps we will get back to that. That was until we ran into another veteran (Vietnam War era) selling Remembrance Day poppies for hospitalized war veterans. We stopped to donate coins (again) for yet another poppy.

We asked this gentleman our standard question – “Iraq – in or out”? The gentleman veteran paused for a moment to consider our question. He said it was another Viet Nam. He said this has been going on for forty years over there (Iraq, the Middle East, etc…). He said it was a waste of time. He then gave us a very tired look and fell silent. We thanked him and continued on our business. He wished us a good day.

Later on, that same evening, we reflected on our thoughts for this posting and weighed the man’s comments. It seemed to us that his comments came more to the point than any detailed analysis we might supply here.

That was our Satori. We realized then that the Iraq War was vacuous (e.g.: devoid of substance or meaning; inane or lacking serious purpose…). That our administration’s leadership in this odious (arousing or meriting strong dislike, aversion, or intense displeasure) was fatuous (vacuously, smugly, and unconsciously foolish or delusive; unreal). Like the gentleman veteran had said – it is a waste of time. “Big time” – (to paraphrase Dick Cheney from an earlier comment). This was, for us, the realization of our administration’s Vacuous Moment of Truth.

Our leadership continues to delude themselves and our media with an unreal campaign for continuing this hateful war effort. A war effort lacking any real substance or meaning. A war effort that continues to waste time – and precious resources (look at gas prices, etc.) – and, most all, the life blood of our youth.

And, like the veteran said, its not going to change anything of substance in Iraq. Conditions are growing worse for our troops, Iraq and Iraqis. Iraqis are fleeing to Syria – with little or no possessions or resources. And, because they aren’t Syrian citizens, they are also denied employment. Their lives, their situation is truly desperate. And still they have fled Iraq. If this war is so important, why are these refugees choosing total desperation instead of remaining in their homeland? This is our administration’s Vacuous Moment of Truth.

The party is over. With their popularity polls in the pits, the Republican Party will be calling itself the Refugee Party come next year.

You can also find this posting at our sister publication "The Anti-Zen Handbook".