The new rantings of a mad emperor

MR. W’S NEW MADNESS
B-Day

BY BORIS LEONARDO CARO

THE current U.S. president has decided to carve his name into the walls of posterity. There’s no longer any doubt about it.

Over the last two weeks, Mr. W has dedicated a considerable space in his speeches to explaining to us why the occupation of Iraq is, essentially, identical to World War II. Some historians and journalists have harshly criticized the comparison, even calling it ridiculous. What a shame. Apparently, they haven’t understood the president’s intentions.

During a speech on June 4 at a graduation ceremony for the U.S. Air Force, Mr. W recalled some of the events of D-Day. That was when he disclosed his most recent revelation.

“In some ways, this struggle we’re in is unique,” he affirmed. “In other ways, it resembles the great clashes of the last century.” Later on in the speech, he made the allusion that has caused such a stir: “Like the Second World War, our current conflict began with a ruthless surprise attack on the United States.” And, leaving no room for doubt, he asserted, “Our goal, the goal of this generation, is the same. We will secure our nation and defend the peace through the forward march of freedom.” (Applause)

Probably, Mr. W is thinking that if Roosevelt and Eisenhower had their D-Day, why shouldn’t he have his? Like B-Day, for example? Of course, it would still be premature to make such a proclamation. Perhaps that is why he has preferred, for the moment, to just sketch out the events that would mark the important date.

During that same speech to the rows of young pilots, he once again showed his growing good sense with respect to international issues: “The terrorists underestimate the strength of free peoples,” he said. Well, it’s taken him a year to realize it, but he’s finally got it. The reign of terror that his armies have imposed on Iraq has not broken the resistance of that Arab people. The same thing occurred previously in Vietnam.

According to Mr. W, the current global mess is the expression of “a clash of political visions.” “In this vision” he says, surely referring to that of his administration, “books are burned, terrorists are sheltered, women are whipped and children are schooled in hate and murder and suicide.”

If one were to trace that aberrant policy, one could start in Columbine, or in Okalahoma; continue through Miami; jump to any country in the Americas mutilated by military dictatorship; continue through forgotten Africa; go through the fields of Vietnam, devastated by Agent Orange, and end up in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Children who wield guns, but have no idea what the hell D-Day is; saboteurs and assassins who rob elections; schools where they teach how to kill; countries destroyed by war and capitalist exploitation; children with deformations produced by hate; rapes, photos from hell.

Nevertheless, the strategy is changing. Among the new White House plans is the end of any support for terrorists. “We are denying terrorists places of sanctuary or support,” Mr. W said at the Air Force Academy. “I have set a clear doctrine: that the sponsors of terror will be held equally accountable for the acts of terrorists.”

Perhaps someone might doubt the president’s impeccable proposals, given that it’s difficult to believe that he will turn himself over to justice to be tried for his complicity with internationally known terrorists. But we shouldn’t give up hope. Mr. W knows how to keep his promises, and follows his doctrines to the letter. Suffice it to appreciate how he faithfully obeys his fascist associates in the Project for a New American Century.

But let’s return to the debate on whether the invasion of Iraq is the same as the opening of the Second Front in Europe. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the landing at Normandy. Before traveling to France, Mr. W stopped over in Italy, where he was received above all by massive popular demonstrations protesting his visit. Later he met with his colleague Berlusconi and with the Pope.

Within the European diplomatic circles, there was a certain fear that the U.S. president would repeat the unfortunate comparison. However, during his June 6 speech, he made no reference to it.

His intentions in Europe were aimed more at reconciliation with his former allies, above all France and Germany. Washington urgently needs European Union cooperation to make its way out of the Iraqi labyrinth. It was those lofty motivations of the state that kept Mr. W from reiterating the parallel between D-Day and what would be - in future history books - B-Day.

And to conclude, even at the risk of exposing ahead of time the honest intentions of the U.S. president, we dare to predict what will happen on that blessed B-Day.

On that memorable date, the truly free peoples will defeat - as they did in World War II - the fascists, who today act from within governments such as those of the U.S. and Israel. No state, no matter how powerful it might be, will protect terrorists and war criminals. Imperialist armies will be transformed into peacekeepers, under the watchful gaze of a grateful world. As Mr. W would say, humanity will then march forward to true development, on the only path possible: freedom, justice and democracy.

Any clueless person might think that the idea of B-Day is a plagiarism from some Marxist textbook. However, the possibility that a Marxist textbook might be found in the personal library of the president is next to nil.

To sum up, when this day finally comes, men will turn their eyes to the past and forever honor Mr. W for his incredible clear-sightedness. And if he should somehow renounce this magnificent project, the ignominy and resentment of the peoples will fall upon him.