President Discusses Iraq in Address to the Nation, by Jason Miller

(The Oval Office)

"Closed Captioned for Those Whose Hearing (and Thinking) Has Been Impaired by the Drumbeats for War"

Good evening.

Three days ago, in large numbers, Iraqis went to the polls to choose their own leaders - a landmark day in the history of liberty. In coming weeks, the ballots will be counted, a new government formed, and a people who suffered in tyranny for so long will become full members of the free world.

Three days ago, in large numbers, Iraqis went to the polls to choose their own leaders from a carefully vetted group of candidates who will adhere closely to neoliberal economic policies and allow the United States to dominate their nation. In coming weeks, the ballots will be counted, a new government formed, and a people who suffered in tyranny for so long will fall into the hands of a new and worse tyrant, the United States government, currently in the hands of my regime.

This election will not mean the end of violence. But it is the beginning of something new: constitutional democracy at the heart of the Middle East. And this vote - 6,000 miles away, in a vital region of the world - means that America has an ally of growing strength in the fight against terror.

This election will not mean the end of violence. The US military industrial complex needs perpetual war to grease its wheels, increase shareholder value and line the pockets of executives and investors. But it is the beginning of something new: the illusion of constitutional democracy (like we have here in the US) at the heart of the Middle East. And this vote, 6,000 miles away (I do not really know what the distance has to do with the issues at hand, but I thought I would throw that in), in a region vital to our friend we affectionately call "Big Oil", means that America has a manufactured ally of growing strength in the fight against those who dare defy our thrust for global domination.

All who had a part in this achievement - Iraqis, Americans, and Coalition partners - can be proud. Yet our work is not done. There is more testing and sacrifice before us. I know many Americans have questions about the cost and direction of this war. So tonight I want to talk to you about how far we have come in Iraq, and the path that lies ahead.

All who had a part in this achievement, even the torturers at Abu Gharib, can be proud. Yet our work is not done. There are still many Iraqis resisting our imperial conquest of their nation, and they must be killed. There is more testing and sacrifice before you (as my wealthy cronies and corporate partners reap the benefits). I know many Americans have had the audacity to question the cost and direction of this war. Since I have not swept away enough civil liberties or checks and balances to become an outright dictator, I will play this silly game of explaining myself and pretending to be accountable to the voters who did not really elect me anyway (thanks to my brother, dearest Katherine Harris, and my friends at Diebold).

From this office, nearly three years ago, I announced the start of military operations in Iraq. Our Coalition confronted a regime that defied United Nations Security Council Resolutions, violated a cease-fire agreement, sponsored terrorism, and possessed, we believed, weapons of mass destruction. After the swift fall of Baghdad, we found mass graves filled by a dictator, we found some capacity to restart programs to produce weapons of mass destruction, but we did not find those weapons.

From this office, nearly three years ago, I announced the start of the invasion and illegal occupation of Iraq. Our coalition confronted a regime that defied the United Nations, much like mine often does. I willfully lied to you when I told you that Saddam Hussein was affiliated with Osama bin Laden and possessed weapons of mass destruction. We Evangelicals like to call those "little white lies". Psychologically, you needed a target from which you could extract revenge for 9/11 and we of the ruling patrician class needed a launching point in our quest for global hegemony. For more on that, visit the Website for the Project for the New American Century. Many of my cohorts signed the Project's Statement of Principles found at http://www.newamericancentury.org/statementofprinciples.htm.

After the fall of Baghdad, we found mass graves filled by a dictator who the United States government supported throughout the 1980's (with full knowledge that he was engaging in genocide). We also found some capacity to restart programs to produce weapons of mass production, but we did not find those weapons. We did not actually waste our resources looking too hard because we already knew they did not exist.

It is true that Saddam Hussein had a history of pursuing and using weapons of mass destruction. It is true that he systematically concealed those programs, and blocked the work of UN weapons inspectors. It is true that many nations believed that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. But much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong. And as your President, I am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq.

It is true that Saddam Hussein had a history of pursuing and using weapons of mass destruction. The US government knows this history well because it aided him in the 80's. It is true that few, if any, nations actually believed that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction, although the United States, the UK and Israel did a phenomenal job of pretending to believe it. But for the most part, it would not be wrong to say that there was, and still is, a serious lack of intelligence. And as your President, I am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq, which ultimately makes me a perpetrator of the murders of over 30,000 Iraqi civilians (that is the number to which I will admit, although reliable sources place the number closer to 100,000).

Yet it was right to remove Saddam Hussein from power. He was given an ultimatum - and he made his choice for war. And the result of that war was to rid the world of a murderous dictator who menaced his people, invaded his neighbors, and declared America to be his enemy. Saddam Hussein, captured and jailed, is still the same raging tyrant - only now without a throne. His power to harm a single man, woman, or child is gone forever. And the world is better for it.

Yet it was right to remove Saddam Hussein from power. He was given an ultimatum, which we heavily anticipated he would defy, and he gave us our coveted war. And the result of that war was to fill the pockets of my corporate cronies. It also resulted in the eradication of a murderous dictator who menaced his people and invaded sovereign nations. Now don't get confused; I was talking about Saddam, not myself. Saddam Hussein, captured, jailed and dethroned is still the same raging tyrant. His power to harm a single man, woman, or child is gone forever. Fortunately for those rooting for the forces of malevolence, I wield far more power than Saddam could have imagined, and am a far bigger threat to humanity than Saddam was in his wildest fantasies.

Since the removal of Saddam, this war - like other wars in our history - has been difficult. The mission of American troops in urban raids and desert patrols - fighting Saddam loyalists and foreign terrorists - has brought danger and suffering and loss. This loss has caused sorrow for our whole Nation - and it has led some to ask if we are creating more problems than we are solving.

Since the removal of Saddam, this war, like other wars in our history, has been difficult. The mission of American troops in urban raids and desert patrols--fighting the Iraqi Resistance to our imperial conquest--has brought danger, suffering, and loss to the civilian population of Iraq and to American troops. This loss has caused sorrow for our whole Nation, and it has led some to seditiously ask if we are creating more problems than we are solving.

That is an important question, and the answer depends on your view of the war on terror. If you think the terrorists would become peaceful if only America would stop provoking them, then it might make sense to leave them alone.

That is an important question, and the answer depends on your view of the "War on Terror". If you think the terrorists would become peaceful if only America would stop provoking them, then it might make sense to leave them alone. However, if you really think hard, it makes more sense to believe they will become more peaceful if we keep provoking them.

This is not the threat I see. I see a global terrorist movement that exploits Islam in the service of radical political aims - a vision in which books are burned, and women are oppressed, and all dissent is crushed. Terrorist operatives conduct their campaign of murder with a set of declared and specific goals - to de-moralize free nations, to drive us out of the Middle East, to spread an empire of fear across that region, and to wage a perpetual war against America and our friends. These terrorists view the world as a giant battlefield - and they seek to attack us wherever they can. This has attracted al Qaida to Iraq, where they are attempting to frighten and intimidate America into a policy of retreat.

This is not the threat I see. I see a global terrorist movement that exploits Islam in the service of radical political aims, a vision not unlike that of the KKK, radical Christian Fundamentalists, abortion clinic bombers, and domestic terrorists who blow up federal buildings. "Terrorist" operatives conduct their campaign of murder with a set of declared and specific goals: to demoralize sovereign nations, to spread fear, and to wage perpetual war. Their campaign of murder parallels that of the US government perpetrated over the last 65 years in places like Dresden, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Vietnam, and Nicaragua. Like my regime, the violent Islamic Fundamentalists view the world as a giant battlefield and seek to attack wherever they can, but they are motivated by a perverse ideology while we are motivated mostly by greed. I desperately want you to believe that all of the Resistance fighters in Iraq are members of al Qaida, and that all of those in the Middle East who oppose the United States devote most of their existence to hating and killing Americans. Unfortunately, this is a lie we have perpetrated to justify our own state terrorism.

The terrorists do not merely object to American actions in Iraq and elsewhere - they object to our deepest values and our way of life. And if we were not fighting them in Iraq ... in Afghanistan, in Southeast Asia, and in other places, the terrorists would not be peaceful citizens - they would be on the offense, and headed our way.

Those I label as "Terrorists" (with the implosion of the Soviet Union and the decreasing fear of "Communists", we "Terrorists" are the new bogeyman to frighten Americans) do not merely object to neocolonial and state terrorism practiced by America in Iraq and elsewhere--they object to the American values of gross overconsumption, torture, rendition, corporate plunder of resources, exploitation of the working class, support of ruthless dictators (like Saddam and the Shah), and utter disdain for their language, culture, religion, and traditions. And if we were not fighting them in Iraq...in Afghanistan, in Southeast Asia, and in other places, the "Terrorists" would not be peaceful citizens--they would be on the offense, and headed our way. Yet one might ask the logical question, "Who in their right mind wouldn't be mad as hell at the United States and ready to attack us?" Perhaps if we ended our push to dominate the globe, the "Terrorists" would leave us alone since we are giving them numerous valid reasons to lash out at us. Then again, if we did that, how would those of us in the American aristocracy continue to increase our vast wealth? Such a dilemma. I am so glad I have you "commoners" to sacrifice your lives, children and resources.

September 11th, 2001 required us to take every emerging threat to our country seriously, and it shattered the illusion that terrorists attack us only after we provoke them. On that day, we were not in Iraq, we were not in Afghanistan, but the terrorists attacked us anyway - and killed nearly 3,000 men, women, and children in our own country. My conviction comes down to this: We do not create terrorism by fighting the terrorists. We invite terrorism by ignoring them. And we will defeat the terrorists by capturing and killing them abroad, removing their safe havens, and strengthening new allies like Iraq and Afghanistan in the fight we share.

September 11th, 2001 enabled us to convince you that you live under constant threat of attack and that you need to surrender your civil liberties to Big Brother in exchange for your security. We deceived you into believing that the "Terrorists" attacked us unprovoked, despite the fact that the US government has murdered millions of civilians over the years while calling them "collateral damage". We have also supported genocidal regimes like Israel. On 9/11, we were not in Iraq, we were not in Afghanistan, but the "Terrorists" attacked us anyway, and killed nearly 3,000 men, women and children in our own country. While that is a tragedy, it pales in comparison to the 3-5 million civilians we killed in Vietnam. Furthermore, most of those alleged to have perpetrated the 9/11 attack were from Saudi Arabia, where America strongly supports the ruthlessly oppressive House of Saud while giving lip service to spreading "freedom and liberty" in the Middle East. Yet we attacked Afghanistan and Iraq because we needed what we thought would be relatively easy targets to launch our own perpetual war. Now that we have invaded Afghanistan and Iraq, we have new allies in our "War on Terror", which could also be characterized as the "War on those Who Oppose US Global Domination". We will defeat the "Terrorists" by engaging in torture, rendition, imprisonment with no charges or trial, and creating puppet allies like Iraq and Afghanistan.

This work has been especially difficult in Iraq - more difficult than we expected. Reconstruction efforts and the training of Iraqi Security Forces started more slowly than we hoped. We continue to see violence and suffering, caused by an enemy that is determined and brutal - unconstrained by conscience or the rules of war.

This work has been especially difficult in Iraq--more difficult than we expected. Reconstruction efforts and the training of Iraqi Security Forces started more slowly than we hoped because of misuse of funds and incompetence by the US government and its corporate partners. We continue to see violence and suffering, caused by a US government which is determined and brutal--unconstrained by conscience or the rules of war.

Some look at the challenges in Iraq, and conclude that the war is lost, and not worth another dime or another day. I don't believe that. Our military commanders do not believe that. Our troops in the field, who bear the burden and make the sacrifice, do not believe that America has lost. And not even the terrorists believe it. We know from their own communications that they feel a tightening noose - and fear the rise of a democratic Iraq.

Some look at the challenges in Iraq, and conclude that the war is lost, and not worth another dime or another day. I don't believe that. It is well worth many more dimes and days to keep slopping my hog-like friends at the corporate troughs. Our military commanders do not believe that the war is lost, or at least if they do, they do not dare voice their opinion for fear of an "early retirement". Our troops in the field, who bear the burden and make the sacrifice, do not believe that America has lost, and even if they did, they could not come home without sharing a cell with Kevin Bendermen. And not even the "Terrorists" believe it. We know it from their own communications that they feel a tightening noose, which is why the Resistance is begging our people to come to the negotiating table. Thus far we have rebuffed their pleas, secure in the knowledge that we are days away from crushing them like ants.

The terrorists will continue to have the coward's power to plant roadside bombs and recruit suicide bombers. And you will continue to see the grim results on the evening news. This proves that the war is difficult - it does not mean that we are losing. Behind the images of chaos that terrorists create for the cameras, we are making steady gains with a clear objective in view.

This terrorist in the Oval Office will continue to have the coward's power to keep the United States embroiled in an ongoing invasion and occupation of Iraq. And you will continue to see few of the grim results on the evening news since the US "does not do body counts" and corporate interests dominate the mainstream media. As long as I have the power, and the media continues to propagate pleasant fictions to flourish in the fallow minds of many Americans, the United States will not lose. Behind the reality of the carnage and chaos our military is creating, America is making steady gains toward securing Iraqi oil and a foothold in the Middle East to continue its imperial expansion.

America, our Coalition, and Iraqi leaders are working toward the same goal - a democratic Iraq that can defend itself, that will never again be a safe haven for terrorists and that will serve as a model of freedom for the Middle East.

America, our Coalition (which sadly has lost the services of the twelve troops from Moldava and forty from the Kingdom of Tonga), and Iraqi leaders are working toward the same goal--a US dominated Iraq which will enable America to gain considerable power in a region rich in the commodity we crave most. We want to crush opposition to US imperialism and create an Iraq that will serve as a model as to how the US will conquer the rest of the Middle East.

We have put in place a strategy to achieve this goal - a strategy I have been discussing in detail over the last few weeks. This plan has three critical elements.

First, our Coalition will remain on the offense - finding and clearing out the enemy ... transferring control of more territory to Iraqi units ... and building up the Iraqi Security Forces so they can increasingly lead the fight. At this time last year, there were only a handful of Iraqi army and police battalions ready for combat. Now, there are more than 125 Iraqi combat battalions fighting the enemy ... more than 50 are taking the lead ... and we have transferred more than a dozen military bases to Iraqi control.

First, our Coalition will remain on the offense--finding and clearing out the enemy--.transferring control of more territory to Iraqi units-- and building up the Iraqi Security Forces so they can increasingly lead the fight. At this time last year, there were only a handful of Iraqi army and police battalions ready for combat. Now, despite the fact that less than a month ago at the US Naval Academy I told you that only one Iraqi Battalion was capable of operating independently of Coalition forces, I am going to make the astounding claim that more than 125 Iraqi battalions are fighting the enemy, with more than 50 taking the lead.

Second, we are helping the Iraqi government establish the institutions of a unified and lasting democracy, in which all of Iraq's peoples are included and represented. Here also, the news is encouraging. Three days ago, more than 10 million Iraqis went to the polls - including many Sunni Iraqis who had boycotted national elections last January. Iraqis of every background are recognizing that democracy is the future of the country they love - and they want their voices heard. One Iraqi, after dipping his finger in the purple ink as he cast his ballot, stuck his finger in the air and said: "This is a thorn in the eyes of the terrorists." Another voter was asked, "Are you Sunni or Shia?" He responded, "I am Iraqi."

Second, we are helping the Iraqi government establish the institutions of a unified and lasting democracy, like ours. We are helping them establish a system in which the poor and middle class citizens have virtually no realistic chance at public office. We are training Iraqi businesses, corporations and special interests to lobby and donate large sums of money to advance their agendas while ignoring the well-being of the people and the environment. We are teaching politicians and members of the government to lie, cheat and accept bribes. We are emphasizing the need to have excessive regressive taxes and minimal progressive taxes. There is so much for them to learn and so little time, especially with that traitorous anti-war crowd here in the US pressuring me to "bring home the troops". I am so sick of those bleeding hearts. Why don't they get lives and let my regime conduct its war for profit in peace?

Third, after a number of setbacks, our Coalition is moving forward with a reconstruction plan to revive Iraq's economy and infrastructure - and to give Iraqis confidence that a free life will be a better life. Today in Iraq, seven in 10 Iraqis say their lives are going well - and nearly two-thirds expect things to improve even more in the year ahead. Despite the violence, Iraqis are optimistic - and that optimism is justified.

Third, after a number of setbacks, our Coalition is moving forward with a reconstruction plan to revive the economy and infrastructure our invasion destroyed. Today in Iraq, seven in 10 Iraqis say their lives are going well. Yet that same ABC News Poll indicates that 52% of Iraqis say that the country is "doing badly", 66% oppose our presence there, only 46% think the country is better off now than before the illegal occupation, and 26% of Iraqis want us out now. We need to step up the propaganda to convince those stubborn Iraqis what a good thing it is to have America invade your country.

In all three aspects of our strategy - security, democracy, and reconstruction - we have learned from our experiences, and fixed what has not worked. We will continue to listen to honest criticism, and make every change that will help us complete the mission. Yet there is a difference between honest critics who recognize what is wrong, and defeatists who refuse to see that anything is right.

In all three aspects of our strategy--security, democracy, and reconstruction--we have learned from our experiences what it is that we need to do to manipulate the situation in Iraq to America's advantage, regardless of the cost to Iraqis or US service people. We will continue to listen to honest criticism, while continuing to equate dissent with a lack of patriotism, and now defeatism.

Defeatism may have its partisan uses, but it is not justified by the facts. For every scene of destruction in Iraq, there are more scenes of rebuilding and hope. For every life lost, there are countless more lives reclaimed. And for every terrorist working to stop freedom in Iraq, there are many more Iraqis and Americans working to defeat them. My fellow citizens: Not only can we win the war in Iraq - we are winning the war in Iraq.

Defeatism is the new label I am hanging on those who dissent against the illegal occupation and my regime. I want the new American Groupthink to be that dissenters are losers. In their eagerness to give up in the face of adversity, the anti-war protesters are ignoring the obvious scenes of rebuilding and hope in Iraq. Forget the fact that over 2,000 Americans have been sacrificed on the altar of Mammon. Disregard those "30,000" Iraqis who have died. Never mind the $228 billion my regime has wasted on this debacle we started based on lies. We are winning the war because America has made another imperial conquest of a nation rich in a vital resource upon which our corporate cronies can capitalize, and has secured a foothold from which it can dominate the rest of the Middle East.

It is also important for every American to understand the consequences of pulling out of Iraq before our work is done. We would abandon our Iraqi friends - and signal to the world that America cannot be trusted to keep its word. We would undermine the morale of our troops - by betraying the cause for which they have sacrificed. We would cause tyrants in the Middle East to laugh at our failed resolve, and tighten their repressive grip. We would hand Iraq over to enemies who have pledged to attack us - and the global terrorist movement would be emboldened and more dangerous than ever before. To retreat before victory would be an act of recklessness and dishonor, and I will not allow it.

It is important for every American to understand the consequences of pulling out of Iraq before our work is done, even though there are so many dynamics and variables that it would be impossible to make an accurate prediction of the full spectrum of consequences. One consequence would be that we would abandon our Iraqi friends (we have killed "30,000" of them, but they are still friends), and signal to the world that America cannot be trusted to keep its word (when so many people across the globe believe so deeply in the integrity of the United States). We would cause tyrants in the Middle East (many of whom we installed or support) to laugh at our failed resolve and tighten their repressive grip. We would hand Iraq over to enemies who have pledged to attack us (they have a Pledge to Attack America which they recite just as we recite the Pledge of Allegiance....Scout's honor....they really do). To retreat before victory would be an act of recklessness and dishonor, and despite the fact that virtually all of my personal endeavors have involved both recklessness and dishonor, I will not allow it. Iraq is a pearl of exquisite value and it will not slip from my grasp.

We are approaching a New Year, and there are certain things all Americans can expect to see. We will see more sacrifice - from our military, their families, and the Iraqi people. We will see a concerted effort to improve Iraqi police forces and fight corruption. We will see the Iraqi military gaining strength and confidence, and the democratic process moving forward. As these achievements come, it should require fewer American troops to accomplish our mission. I will make decisions on troop levels based on the progress we see on the ground and the advice of our military leaders - not based on artificial timetables set by politicians in Washington. Our forces in Iraq are on the road to victory - and that is the road that will take them home.

We are approaching a New Year, and there are certain things all Americans can expect to see. We will see more sacrifice as more American military personnel die and more Americans suffer fates similar to Katrina victims. My regime has decided to devote vast resources to the military and to cut taxes on the rich. America can no longer afford wasteful programs to aid the poor or to build infrastructure, including the levees in New Orleans. Let the Katrina victims find new places to live or buy flood insurance. In Iraq, the Iraqi military is gaining strength and confidence, and the democratic process is moving toward providing us with the sycophants we need to have in power. I will make decisions on troop levels based on the progress we see on the ground and the advice of our military leaders--not based on artificial timetables set by Congress. They gave me the authority to conduct this war based on my regime's lies and now it is too late for them to take it back. Our forces in Iraq will not come home until America has conquered Iraq.

In the months ahead, all Americans will have a part in the success of this war. Members of Congress will need to provide resources for our military. Our men and women in uniform, who have done so much already, will continue their brave and urgent work. And tonight, I ask all of you listening to carefully consider the stakes of this war, to realize how far we have come and the good we are doing ... and to have patience in this difficult, noble, and necessary cause.

In the months ahead, all Americans will have a part in the success of this illegal occupation. Members of Congress will need to continue rubber-stamping budget appropriations to fuel the war machine. Our men and women in uniform, many of whom have done too much already, will face multiple and extended deployments. And tonight, I ask all of you listening to carefully consider the stakes of this war. Dick Cheney's pension from Haliburton rides on the outcome, dammit! Have patience. We are engaged in a nobility cause.

I also want to speak to those of you who did not support my decision to send troops to Iraq: I have heard your disagreement, and I know how deeply it is felt. Yet now there are only two options before our country - victory or defeat. And the need for victory is larger than any president or political party, because the security of our people is in the balance. I do not expect you to support everything I do, but tonight I have a request: Do not give in to despair, and do not give up on this fight for freedom.

I also want to speak to those of you who did not support my decision to send troops to Iraq: I have heard your disagreement and I know how deeply it is felt, but I do not care. Dissent is no longer welcome in America. It is a luxury we cannot afford. There are only two options before our country (yes, I know it is a false dichotomy, but if I admitted there were other options, I would not gain the support I am looking for as I cast war supporters as winners and dissenters as losers). The security of future corporate profits and the continued enrichment of America's wealthy are in the balance. Do not give in to despair, and do not give up on this fight for money, oil, and power.

Americans can expect some things of me as well. My most solemn responsibility is to protect our Nation, and that requires me to make some tough decisions. I see the consequences of those decisions when I meet wounded servicemen and women who cannot leave their hospital beds, but summon the strength to look me in the eye and say they would do it all over again. I see the consequences when I talk to parents who miss a child so much - but tell me he loved being a soldier, he believed in his mission ... and Mr. President, finish the job.

Americans can expect very little from me. My most solemn responsibility is to protect our Nation, and at that I have failed. 9/11 occurred on my watch and over 1,000 people died in the aftermath of Katrina as a result of my regime's obscene devotion of resources to the war, and its inept and anemic response to the disaster. I see the consequences of my decisions when I meet wounded servicemen and women and talk to parents who miss a child so much, yet I could not muster the courage to interrupt my vacation to talk to Cindy Sheehan. As I rally the nation to war, I take no personal risk with my life or the lives of my daughters. I am actually pretty pathetic.

I know that some of my decisions have led to terrible loss - and not one of those decisions has been taken lightly. I know this war is controversial - yet being your President requires doing what I believe is right and accepting the consequences. And I have never been more certain that America's actions in Iraq are essential to the security of our citizens, and will lay the foundation of peace for our children and grandchildren.

I know that some of my decisions have led to terrible loss, but thankfully neither my family nor I have suffered those losses. I know this war is controversial--yet being your President entails doing what is right and accepting the consequences. That is why a man like me, who has the moral fiber of a child pornographer, is truly unfit to hold this office. I have never been more certain that America's actions in Iraq are essential to the perpetuation of US corporate and plutocratic interests. I will lay the foundation for our continued success on the corpses of Iraqi civilians and US military personnel.

Next week, Americans will gather to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. Many families will be praying for loved ones spending this season far from home - in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other dangerous places. Our Nation joins in those prayers. We pray for the safety and strength of our troops. We trust, with them, in a love that conquers all fear, and a light that reaches the darkest corners of the Earth. And we remember the words of the Christmas carol, written during the Civil War: "God is not dead, nor [does] He sleep; the Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, with peace on Earth, good-will to men."

Next week, Americans will gather to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah (as long as I cover Christians and our good friends at AIPAC, to hell with the rest of America). Many families will be praying for loved ones spending this season far from home, fighting wars of imperial conquest in Iraq and Afghanistan, places hostile to the United States due to our malevolent foreign policy. We pray for the safety and strength of our troops. Without them, those of us at the top of the food chain in America would be unable to continue to live the lives to which we have become accustomed. For those Fundamentalist Christians whose wrath I inspired with my "Happy Holidays" cards, I will now quote a Christmas carol written during the Civil War. By mentioning the Civil War I intend to invoke the image of a divided nation which came together under the leadership of a great president (Think Lincoln; think Bush II....a man needs to consider his legacy, after all). "God (and that is the Christian God, mind you) is not dead, nor [does] He sleep; the Wrong (the "Terrorists") shall fail; the Right (Us) prevail, with peace on Earth (once our mighty war machine has crushed those who dare to resist), good-will to men (the ones who support US interests)."

Thank you, and good night.

Jason Miller is a 38 year old activist writer with a degree in liberal arts. He works as a loan counselor in the transportation industry, and is a husband with three sons. His affiliations include Amnesty International and the ACLU. He welcomes responses at willpowerful@hotmail.com or comments on his blog, Thomas Paine's Corner, at http://civillibertarian.blogspot.com/.