THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

By Diane M. Grassi


Now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays have passed, which served as a reprieve from issues of importance amongst the powers-that-be in Washington, we start 2005 with much pomp and circumstance with Washington trying to create the impression that all is well in the U.S. After all, we were spared a tsunami.

It is more than disconcerting that the tsunami disaster has turned into a cleansing of mammoth proportions for the U.S., on trying to improve its image throughout the world. Along with the efforts of the U.S. military being under-appreciated by Iraq, the U.S. has had a problem being credited for much good in the world since we defied the U.N. by invading Iraq. And as such, the U.S. is losing no time in rehabilitating its image through the amount of promised good will and aid to the Asian countries decimated by Mother Nature.

Historically, the U.S. can not be beaten in its generosity in donations and resources to impoverished countries or to those in crisis. In fact the U.S. has never stopped giving and in being front and foremost in supplying military support for nations throughout the world and in using our troops to distribute food and medical supplies. There was no doubt amongst the people of the U.S. that we would step up and offer our resources in myriad ways for the tsunami victims.

Unfortunately however the tsunami relief effort seems to have turned into a diversion from the war in Iraq as their elections quickly approach. The unrest still continues and the U.S. forces are stretched too thin according to many military experts. An exit strategy still has not been discussed publicly by the administration, nor have re-enlistment shortages been addressed.

But propping up former President George H.W. Bush and former President William J. Clinton before the world to “head up” a fundraising program for relief for tsunami victims will not be enough distraction. It is nothing more than a dog and pony show again to create a preoccupation from the real issues at hand such as our international relations with both our allies and our enemies. Why the president would stick his father and Bill Clinton together in the first place, boggles the mind. But then again, nothing is ever done in Washington without a reason.

Tsunami relief will also create another means of “relief” from the real issues appearing on the front pages across the U.S. This comes none too soon for both houses of Congress and the president’s administration as they begin their 109th session and 2nd term respectively. As the $60 million presidential inaugural approaches on January 20, 2005, this year to include no less than 9 balls, it too will temporarily get top billing in the press.

Followed up by such important days as February 7, 2005, the day of Super Bowl XXXIX, the people of America are expected to tune out as they tune in to the most watched “television program” of the year. Halt the presses as the NFL takes top priority in spite of how the Iraqi voters make out on January 30th and the aftermath of such.

But Congress as well as the president cannot escape those issues which are not popular to discuss for too long, such as the state of our armed services, securing our borders, keeping our jobs in the U.S. from being deported, and making healthcare accessible for not only the poor and the rich but the middle class. Those issues are not fun or flashy, and take ingenuity and real thinkers to address. Washington is not real good at that. Spinning the issues is what Washington is good at, and creating illusions, such as through the looking glass, as they have thus far and will be doing for the next several weeks to come.

Don’t we deserve more?