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ENGAGING PERSONNEL

"Flaws in our civilians are one thing; the failure of the Pentagon's military leaders is quite another. Those are men who know the hard consequences of war but, with few exceptions, acted timidly when their voices urgently needed to be heard. When they knew the plan was flawed, saw intelligence distorted to justify a rationale for war, or witnessed arrogant micromanagement that at times crippled the military's effectiveness, many leaders who wore the uniform chose inaction. A few of the most senior officers actually supported the logic for war.”

Is there logic to war? Ask the solemn-jawed sky, may I put a hand on you? Ask a snipers swift bullet, will you warn me before you do?

“You are clear to engage the building.” “We have personnel on the ground.”

Ask a little boy, can war have both your legs today? Ask a little girl, may war slice your tiny arms away? Ask a grieving mother, which of your children should we take?

“People are exiting the mosque.” “Do not engage.”

Ask a proud father, can this bomb murder your sorrow? Ask a prayer set free if war might end its journey. Ask an angry brother, will you miss your sister tomorrow?

"Clear to level it and engage personnel." "Roger that."

Ask a plummeting bomb if war is reasonable on the way down...


Copyright © 2006 mrp / thepoetryman
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