On Sept. 12th, 2001 I was at work in one of the largest train stations in the USA. I went to work that day not because I wanted to work, no, actually I went there to speak to my male colleagues and to ask them, every one of any youth at least, one question.
There were scores of men I spoke to that day, some old and fat, some young and fit, most in between. They were black, white, brown and yellow. Some rented, most owned and most had wives and families, although not all. Not too many were educated to a fault, all paid their taxes to the best of their ability. Most were inclined and attempting to live as decent citizens, some had some problems holding them back and tripping them up, a few were men you wouldn't invite to your home. Many had maxed out their potential and were content to ride it out to retirement, others had different horizons. I looked each in the eyes and asked the same, simple question.
“You ready to go?”
The responses I received were a very healthy shock. Or should I say response?
Because you see on that day every one of those men was galvanized in anger, determination and deadset on payback. They, each and every one, wanted to do something. They wanted action and they wanted a Leader.
They burned me with hard eyes as they said quietly, calmly and very definitely,
“Oh yea, man.....I'm ready.”
Late in the day I was chilling by the River with my boy Eric, sipping some coffee and staring at the Sears Tower, since childhood it had been to me a mighty symbol of the city's strength, wealth, vitality and industrious achievement. On that day it seemed almost delicate, vulnerable, a massive open target in a dirty, rotten World.
Eric was, is and remains a piece of work. His main ambitions in Life on Sept. 10, 2001 could probably be summed up like this-
Get high
Be a good father
Get laid
Get high
not necessarily in that order.
But on that day he was all hard-eyed, square-jawed business.
For one of the few times I can recall I felt a satisfying sense of pride in these men I worked with and a hopeful resolve as Eric and I stood in the shadows of that looming, suddenly fragile Tower.
Then he asked me the same question- You ready?
I felt the need to be sound in my judgement and careful with my words as I always considered Eric more than a little impressionable.
“Yea...” I replied calmly, “But first three things have got to happen.”
I stared into him.
“One, Bush has got to ask for help...
Two, he's got to pick a target...
and
three, it's got to be the right target.”
We discussed at length, he at last agreed and we began our wait for the POTUS's call.
It's 2008 and I'm still waiting for 2 out of the 3.
But I'm not hear to rail on the faux cowboy from Texas today or any of his misguided minions. May he go peacefully back to his ranch and never, ever return and they go straight to their rewards.
No, today is for the Future and we must not rehash our past policy and military mistakes no matter how easy and satisfying that may seem to be nor how much we may want to rub salt in certain Parties' wounds. Right now, more than ever, we must move forward and find viable, long term solutions to these seemingly overwhelming problems and I believe we must do so in a bold, strong, serious yet humble manner that demonstrates to the World the power of that American determination that I knew to be true, real and forthright on that terrible day Sept. 12th, 2001.
And so I make my plea to President-Elect Barack Obama.
On Jan. 20th, 2009 I would like to see the President of the United States of America stand tall and ask all Americans of any suitable age to volunteer for one year of service in the Military, the Red Cross or the Peace Corps, your choice.
Further, I would like to see him call all illegal alien males between the ages of 18-30 currently residing in the United States to also volunteer for 2 years of Military Service in exchange for your US Citizenship.
The deal on the first proposal- If you are gainfully employed at the time of your enrollment you cannot be fired or lose position when you volunteer and must retain the same position and adjusted salary when you return.
As to the second many will see problems but I see solutions to two of the most enormous yet infinitely solvable tasks of our time, solutions that prove we can walk the Freedom walk, not just talk the Freedom talk. Many, perhaps rightfully see danger, I see a chance to weld a stronger bond and demonstrate a clear appeal to the Angels of our better nature. I see an untapped potential for strength that we waste daily while asking the Few for more and the Many for little. Many might foresee massive administration problems. Something along the current lines of the INS you mean? Better or worse you think?
Can you imagine what a force of fifty or a hundred or two hundred or three hundred thousand fresh troops could accomplish? On January 21st?
Can you imagine what a proud statement a hundred or two or three hundred thousand Americans reaching out to the rest of the World in friendship would make?
Can you imagine what a force for righteousness and brotherhood such an unstoppable tidal wave of sound minded American action could and would create?
It would be a bell that rings clear and true for decades and generations throughout our planet. It would be the hand of true Brotherhood reaching throughout the globe to anyone willing or in need and it would be the hammer of real Justice to foul enemies who seek to murder and destroy their fellow men. It would certainly be the signal for all to follow and the example to which all could aspire and one day achieve. If we can do it first.
And yes, it would be the sacrifice to Freedom and Democracy that we, and our brain trust of Leaders, have so strenuously dodged these past 7 long and terrible years.
Surely this must be our proper role in this World we share. If it isn't then we may as well all go back to our TV's, PS3's , Blackberrys and mirrors as we watch ourselves get fatter and lazier, passively standby as Our Country slips into a coma and then anxiously wonder why our kids can't read and don't respect us.
I am aware that pundits on both sides of the aisle are calling for moderate, conservative steps for this new government and I do not totally disagree with that thinking (especially economically) but We as American people need to seize our initiative and prove to the World our resolve, our righteousness and our Will to be a beacon of hope for all who might need to see such a light, such a force, such a Brotherhood. To return some of the interest on the Gifts we've been so richly rewarded with from previous Generations, to live up to the Promise of Our Union and mature into the Nation that we are clearly intended to become and remain.
When we sacrifice we'll carry burdens that will strain our backs to the breaking point but we will also receive gifts in return that we cannot now imagine or appreciate. This must be our promise and our purpose.
“Ask not what your country can do for you.........” was some good words.
Now we need some more and then some action.
See you Jan. 20.
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