Correspondence of 22 March, 2003. The letter was
sent me from Naples, Florida, that sprawling think tank of the new Bush
Republicanism:
Dear Eric:
My neighbors, Heidi and Dick R-----, went to a small dinner party two days ago. One of the couples at the party was General Arnold Schwarzkopf and his wife. He was the head general in Desert Storm. As the evening passed the subject came up of the pending war with Iraq. The general was pointedly asked if he felt war with Iraq was truly necessary. His response was interesting. He said that if the public knew what he, the president and his cabinet knew concerning what was really going on in Iraq, that there would not be one American that wouldn't fully support this war. He said it was indeed terrifying. He also said that he was not able to discuss things to a greater degree, but that the situation was critical.
That is how I have felt all
along. Within myself, I feel that
there must be a lot that we do not know and it is perhaps good that it remains
that way. We have enough fear to
live with; who needs more?
My Best,
T-----
* * *
Dear T-----:
If it's true that there is some horribly menacing weapons program or
something of the like going on in Iraq, and if for some reason the CIA and the
Administration can't presently reveal anything about it, then I'm sure that
after the war is over the American people will be able to learn what the Iraqi
threat *really* was--that, for example, it wasn't merely unaccounted-for
stockpiles of anthrax and VX nerve gas.
If,
on the other hand, the war passes and this threat is not finally revealed, then
we'd have to conclude my suspicion about this business is right: Schwarzkopf
was talking a lot of baloney at a Naples dinner party.
We will see. We will see. But remember this letter you sent me. It's characteristic of wartime, as the general's evocation of some phantom menace is characteristic of wartime government propaganda.
"If you knew what we know you wouldn't even think twice about
supporting everything we do."
It's a good thing that most Americans don't nod their heads in awe at
such words. If they did we'd soon
be living in an Iraq of our own.
But
you all down in Naples don't much worry about such things because you know
Americans could never organize a repressive state there in the land of the
free. Good American people have an
inherent virtue that makes such a thing impossible. Besides which, we have so much to fear already that it's
better to let the Bush Administration protect our liberties from any corruption
by un-American forces.
But
don't take my skepticism personally.
It isn't only aimed at you, you know. It's aimed at you and all your Naples neighbors too!
Warmly,
Eric
P.S.-- In fact the general in Desert Storm wasn't named Arnold
Schwarzkopf, as you cite him in the letter, but rather Norman Schwarzkopf. Probably Dick and Heidi got him
confused with the Austrian movie actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Given the Florida sun, such confusion
is understandable. I wonder how
often it happens to the general when he's down there.
I'm now trying to imagine their dinner conversation:
Heidi: We really admired you for your heroic actions in Desert
Storm, General. And I'm sure all
those Croatians must be grateful that you liberated them from Saddam.
General: Well, M'am, you know it's important to stand up for
freedom in the world. Somebody had
to chase out the Iraqis. They'd
overstepped the line.
Dick: And I loved you in *Total Recall* with Kathleen Turner. That was probably my favorite movie of
yours.
General: In fact I was in much better shape then. I'll have to be getting back to the gym
one of these days if I want to do any more films like that.
Heidi: What an exciting life you lead! I think someday I'll have to read your biography.
General: Well, M'am, it really isn't all that exciting.
Dick: You know,
General, I understand that the first Gulf War was mostly about liberating the
Croatians from Saddam Hussein.
General: Yes, it was.
Dick: Because Saddam invaded their country and there was no other
way to get them out. But this
second war--I mean the one coming--there are many people that think it might
not be necessary. I mean, Saddam
might have those weapons and all, but is there really any chance he'd dare use
them against us?
General: In fact it's a very difficult case we're in right
now. And to speak honestly, most
people don't understand all angles of it.
Dick: I see.
General: There are aspects of it that, well, for security reasons
we can't reveal right now. But I
can assure you both right now, as I've assured all the good people I've talked
to down here, if you all knew what the president and I know about what the Iraqis
are really up to, I mean if people knew what we know, there wouldn't be a
single American who wouldn't be one-hundred per cent behind this war.
Heidi: Well, so it's confidential right now. They're not revealing what it's really
about.
General: That's right, M'am.
It's very sensitive just now.
Dick: I wonder if those French and Germans knew what was really
happening in Iraq if they'd change their tune about supporting us.
Heidi: Those ungrateful Europeans, I find it disgusting how they
don't support this war.
General: It is something we're all angry about.
Dick: How many times did we save their sorry asses from. . . .
And so on.
Email: inthemargins03@hotmail.com
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