It is all about oil...

“It is all about oil” said a young man in Bosnia. He was referring to late intervention of the Americans in the Bosnian war. Had oil been in Bosnia, the Americans would have been there much earlier. It was his belief that the Americans are central to all that takes place in the world.

There is little doubt in the minds of the educated people of the world that the United States of America is the most powerful nation in the world. They are also viewed as the wealthiest, great spenders on the luxuries of life. If viewers of film and television believe what they see, they develop a completely false image and understanding of the American situation. A much better understanding of the U.S. would be gained by reviewing what too place during the Katrina disaster and what followed for a full year. How much criminal activity took place, how much greed was displayed, how the political processes failed, all of these happenings and much more would surely provide foreign governments with a clear understanding of America the Great. American the Great was brought to its knees. America is like a two sided coin; one side shows the positives, the other the negatives. Even for many Americans, their lives are holding the view of the negatives.  Many of the systems in America need revision or improvement, to benefit all Americans. If one looks at the health care system, the education system, the political system, the employment system and the system for “sharing the wealth” of the nation, a quick conclusion could be drawn that America is sick. The country is alive but not well. Many of the maladies are curable but that would require a reshuffling of the cards of wealth. The wealthy are too much so. The poor are too much so. A distribution system to “share the wealth” is necessary. But the wheels of government are controlled by the wealthy. This has little to do with which party is in power. All that being said, it is necessary to say that there are many other nations on earth which are sick, for many of the same reasons. In fact, some nations are much sicker.

The world is sick. There are so many wars taking place. Weapons are in the hands of children and these are being used to kill “others” who are different for whatever reasons which might include language, culture and religion. Has it not been ever thus? What does history tell us?

The cry of “Yankee go home!” can still be heard and if not as loud as in the past, it still is there in the hearts and minds of many people. Could one ever have imagine that an individual could “declare war” on the United States of America? Probably not but it did take place. Since that declaration was made, American has changed. There is rampant growing fear for the security of the nation. Security as an area of employment has increased rapidly to match the fear that exists. As we approach the fifth anniversary of 9/11, that fateful day that changed the American world for ever, I would like to share a poem written on 9/12 of 2001.


September 11, 2001

This day etched forever in a mind,
A deed so cruel, so unjust, so unkind.
In disbelief we saw so much,
Knowing death would so many touch.

Our tears were shed, emotions enflamed,
Our understanding and thoughts were drained.
But many found much courage deep,
They gave their lives, now they sleep.

Thus left behind, family and friends,
And many who wonder how to make amends.
Some in anger, some in fear.
War is the word we did often hear.

But American leadership is very strong,
Voices were raised in patriotic song,
A people in crises always do unite,
The scoundrel, the villain, they will fight.

And those with wounds do suffer now,
For you in the future we do vow,
Remembrance, you served your country
When struck by the common enemy.

For in our freedom we do share.
All those who worked with much care,
To rescue all who could be saved,
So many images in our minds engraved.

This day we will never forget,
A remembrance day to beget,
A day our strength to renew,
With blessings, many to accrue!

© 2001 by Lou Reeves