The Real War America is Fighting

When 9/11 plastered this country some 10 years ago, the United States and its citizens unified faster than Jeremy Lin's emergence as the New York Knicks’ basketball Jesus.

American flags flew in overwhelming abundance. Spectators belted our national anthem at sporting events across the country. Patriotism was once again alive and well.

However, our freedoms were enormously endangered, and we were willing to do anything and everything – you know, like starting two aimless wars – to prevent it from becoming extinct, at least according to former President George W. Bush and his administration.

A decade has passed since we were, as President Bush put it, “awakened to danger and called to defend freedom.” Much has transpired over that time, notably the worst economic downfall since the Great Depression and a housing market that tripped over its own untied shoes and fell flat on its face.

But not all has been lost. Osama bin Laden, who many believe was the architect behind 9/11, is dead. The U.S. automobile industry, once on the brink of bankruptcy, is thriving again. U.S. combat in Iraq has concluded.

Certainly there is plenty more work to be done, but then again, when isn’t that the case? Shouldn't the mark of a great country, at least in part, be determined by its ability to constantly strive for improvement, regardless of its current state and spirit?

President Bush once said, “There is no limit to the greatness of America,” as his administration quickly and consistently plugged American patriotism and exceptionalism post-9/11. God forbid anyone spoke out against this country and its government, or they were deemed unpatriotic, or even worse -- cue dramatic sound effect -- a terrorist.

“Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists,” President Bush proclaimed.

And yet, amidst the propaganda put forth by the (Republican) Bush administration, all his GOP friends do is attack President Obama, his administration and their policies. They might as well blame him for Whitney Houston’s death while they’re at it.

The anti-Obama sentiments preached by most Republicans are so starkly contentious, they’ve started a war far worse than the supposed “War on Terror” that ensued after 9/11.

Forget policies and principles for a second, and take a look at the big picture: It’s the battle between the right and the left that is blackening the red, white and blue.