Thoughts on war
We're at war. And unlike countless journalists and writers across the country, I don't have anything especially important or insightful to say about it. Let's leave that to the military personnel and the veterans — they're the ones who have earned the right to share their opinions about war.
What I can say with conviction is this: I am so thankful that right now my cousin, who graduated from Army boot camp in December, has a comfortable, safe job at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and not in Kuwait. That's where we thought he was headed after Christmas, but I guess the Army changed its mind.
It's a sad but true fact that crisis makes you appreciate your loved ones even more. Because once they're sent overseas, whether they're in the Red Cross tents or on the front lines, they're vulnerable. Proof of that is in my own family: My aunt's brother's name was inscribed on the Vietnam Wall after he was killed by friendly fire.
Life is precious. Let's hope that in this age of computers and cell phones that our amazing technology can be put to use in our weapons — that way they'll hit their targets quickly and accurately and not take innocent lives.
***
Not to be too cynical, but there's nothing like a war to make you sick of round-the-clock TV news.
Last week we spent a couple hours in the office listening to Dan Rather talk — and talk and talk. Over that span of two hours he probably had one new piece of information to present to us; the rest was just rehashing the same stuff over and over again.
And what's with the on-site TV reporters all wearing button-up khaki shirts and vests? Do they think that because they're "dressing for the occasion" that we'll take them more seriously? Geraldo Rivera is a great example of this.
Once again, it just proves my point that the print media do a much better job with news coverage. But I may be a wee bit biased.
***
There's no doubt that the Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines made a big mistake when she criticized President Bush a couple weeks ago during a London concert. There's nothing noble about "taking a stand" on an issue when the entire audience/country completely agrees with you.
But her response is amusing. She took back her words — but only after the backlash started, when people started trashing their CDs and asking radio stations to stop playing their songs.
Yes, it took a hit to the pocketbook for Maines to apologize.
I support Maines' right to free speech — even during wartime she has the right to say what she wants. But she took back her words when they started hurting her financially, and that doesn't say much for her character.
— JENNIFER WILSON
