Americans just have no stomach for war, or revolution.

[Philosoraptor]

After the Vietnam war, Americans lost their stomach for war altogether, for decades, the loss of 58,000 men was just too much on our collective psyche. Some called it the Vietnam syndrome, and daddy bush bragged of changing that. "By God we kicked that Vietnam syndrome once and for all" he spit, right after the first bush war. What he meant was we WON in the Gulf war, (even though Saddam was left standing).

And so we are left with president cheney snarling that we have no stomach for war, he absolutely drools for war, war, and more war, as long as he can just sit in his limo and snarl.

Now what this nation needs is a good enema to rid itself of poisons like cheney and his ilk, but instead of doing the right thing and revolting against these monsters who endanger us all, we'll just sit around hoping SOMEONE will take care of it.

Just the word 'revolution' causes all sorts of wild reactions, people envision blood filled streets, millions dead, etc., but many revolutions have been bloodless. Our nations NEEDS a revolution of thought, a revolution of humanity and decency and honesty and fiscal responsibility and common sense, a revolution of honor, a revolution of personal pride.

We have no stomach for war, but we haven't the guts for a revolution, which is our constitutional right, and DUTY.

[lazer47]

1. If you don't have the intestinal fortitude to fight (and I mean fight)

Physically mentally and spiritually, then you don't deserve any freedom from the constitution, and I truly believe before this is over with it will test us all, and I am no conspiracy nut, Power is an addiction worse than drugs and right now the Repugs don't want to deal with "drying out" and loosing that power

[maine_raptor]

2. Ah, but remember what Adams said about the Revolutionary War:

That a third were for it, a third against it, and a third could go either way. So even in our "finest hour", we were ambivalent about it. But still......

I've always wondered about Thomas Jefferson's great quote:

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

We refreshed it once about 146 years ago or so. When will be the next time?

[Double T]

7. Unfortunately, right NOW!!!!

[Philosoraptor]

8. People associate revolution with ancient history.

They can't imagine having one in modern times.

[maine_raptor]

10. "No one could have imagined........"

Where have I heard that line before, hmmmm? :rofl:

Revolutions happen. We call them "civil wars" these days, though.

They are triggered by something, some stirring in the populace. What does it take? Usually some that directly touches their mundane lives. Maybe $5.00 per gal gas or...?

[Double T]

11. Modern times ended January 20th 2001..........

since then it has been kings, imperialism, occupation of foreign nations, preemptive attacks, dark ages, 'wars', barbarians, beheadings, hangings and Rome is burning.

[Missy M]

12. I agree with you on that point...

people think it's not possible in modern times. Why I don't know, could it be strictly fear?

[qdemn7]

15. A Revolution

Implies a willingness to take up arms. Considering how many people here at the DU (and Progressives in general) who are vehemently anti-gun to the extent they act as if guns were the spawn of Satan, the chance of ARMED revolution by Progressives is nil.

[BLUSH]

3. Need tums

[Phrogman]

4. Most Americans are very soft and timid people...

They'll make a lot of noise, but when it comes down to actually risking losing their situation with its comforts and security, they'll turn away and go home.....

And turn on the TV and see if somebody else did something about it.

[Philosoraptor]

5. There really is a disconnect from reality.

The good life has made us all into fattened calves.

[Double T]

9. ...and ready for slaughter.

We have a choice, fight like hell to 'live free or die'.

[poverlay]

6. Wow. Well said. n/t

[Philosoraptor]

13. ........

[Philosoraptor]

14. ............

[treestar]

16. A revolution would call for more death than is being had in Iraq

More Americans, definitely.

Relying on the present system takes maturity and wisdom.

[tabasco]

17. Bullshit. Give us a just cause and Americans will fight as hard as anybody.

It's these goddamn wars for corporate profits that we have lost our stomach for!

[leftofthedial]

18. we need a revolution that separates the parasitic tumor of capitalism

from the organs of our government and other social institutions once and for all. Preferably one that destroys it altogether.

it inevitably, inexorably and irresistibly corrodes and corrupts and empowers vermin like cheney and bush et al.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

19. "All politics is local" Most Americans have no reason to revolt.

People, anywhere, generally don't take revolutionary action unless they are affected personally. Most Americans live relatively comfortably.

The American people gradually turned against the war in Vietnam because it began to affect them on a personal level. Their kids were coming home in bags in increasing numbers. The economic costs of the war were apparent.

This isn't France (or, more specifically Paris) in 1789, or Russia in 1917, when the peoples lives were literally on the line if they didn't have, and win, a revolution.

They have turned against the war in Iraq, not out of moral outrage, but because we aren't "winning" and it's become all too apparent that we can't "win".

There's no revolution because there's no desperation.

[Terri S]

20. Exactly right.

Many Americans are blissfully unaware of what is going on in their government. If as many showed an informed interest in voting for a president as voting for an 'american idol', we might actually have a decent representative government. Want a revolution? Raise the gas prices to $8.00/gallon. Yeah... I don't even think it'll happen at $7...but $8? Maybe. sigh...

[warren pease]

21. "...but many revolutions have been bloodless."

In fact, the last one was a mere six years ago, when the right wing pulled off a successful bloodless coup right under our noses and the best we could do was a massive but ultimately ineffectual demonstration on inauguration day. Since then, the entire planet has gone to shit, with the US leading the plunge to the depths of the festering cesspool and taking the rest of the world along for the ride.

Personally, I think the revolution that's required here and now begins with a series of simultaneous, perfectly coordinated, well-executed kidnappings targeting key CEOs from, say, the weapons industry, the fossil fuels industry and, just for a little long-overdue revenge, the for-profit health care industry.

There won't be, nor can there be, even the beginnings of significant change unless the prime perpetrators and beneficiaries of this rapacious, murderous, ecologically unsustainable system are made to piss their pants in mortal fear from time to time.

Obviously, progressives are so vastly outgunned and outstrategized that an actual war, fought according to West Point rules, is just mass suicide. The only quasi-military actions that make sense are those that are unpredictable, planned and carried out by people who've known each other so long that counter-intelligence infiltration is impossible, and produce direct results that terrorize the exact people whose pursuit of their own narrow economic self-interest has terrorized the rest of us since the days of indentured servitude and slavery -- actually, all the way back to the days when hunter-gatherer communities morphed into tribes and then feudal kingdoms, which is when the peasants first got to experience the precursors of massive class oppression that has been among the true constants throughout recorded history.

So that's one idea to get the ball rolling. Any others?

And btw, I'd exercise my Second Amendment rights in a hell of a hurry if I were you. Six of the ten amendments in the Bill of Rights disappeared pretty quickly because "9/11 changed everything." Only four more to go.


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