American way 013015

America invaded Afghanistan and Iraq over a decade ago to overthrow regimes that resisted or embarrassed the United States. A pure military operation yet to play out.  The military was successful in disposing the governments of both countries but failed in its objective to install the American Way. The expected six-month campaigns are now in their second decade and spreading from the Middle East throughout Asia and across the globe. So far the military is a clear winner in only one area, becoming a unilateral foreign policy actor bypassing civilian oversight.  While denying any responsibility for the blood bath America is attempting to build support for new American Way campaigns in other foreign lands. Just what is this American Way?

Back in the 20th century when Israel was established and conflict raged the American ambassador to the UN gave a speech asking why the two sides couldn't resolve their dispute like Christian gentlemen.  The Jews and Muslims asked each other how Christians handled their disputes.  Neither knew so after some research they have been killing each other ever since.  It's the American Way.

Speech is free only as long as no government official raises objections to the words.  Pass laws so police can arrest citizens for things they say and think.  Expand prosecutorial powers to enforce partisan political agendas.  Auto-track the population through requirements that every citizen must carry government issued identification.  The American Way.

Pass legislation authorizing the military to invade friendly countries and seize the World Court to preempt rulings deemed against national interest.  Write laws authorizing the military to seize any domestic citizen and hold them incognito indefinitely.   Allow a military disinformation department that targets domestic audiences with black propaganda. Secretly record conversations and e-mails of the entire population. Protect foreign oil fields for American use under an "Energy Security Initiative."  That's the American Way.

America developed the advertising industry; television talk shows' spin, Internet blogs and partisan social networks.  These innovations have enable continuous political campaigns and dirty tricks that deceives, desensitizes and distracts the population from real political corruption.  Political candidates don't change their agendas; they just rhetorically chase the polls.  It's the American way.

There are calls to police morals and thoughts by monitoring all communication; supplant free press with state run news outlets and even establish state approved religious correctness.  Some officials are creatively reinterpreting the Constitution and in particular the "Bill of Rights." Sound like a secret police state?  It's the 21st century's American Way, it may also be the beginning of the end of the America myth it is attempting to export.

Who is that pounding on my door?
Notes:

The Bush administration's oil troika (Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld) pushed a plan to occupy foreign oil fields under the Strategic Energy Security Initiative.  Rumsfeld even boasted that the plan would turn a profit from the seized oil. The paper leaked and friendly oil producers strenuously objected to its broad provisions.  Nigeria even deployed troops to defend against an off shore American Marine force preparing to land in the country, the invasion was called off and the force hastily moved out of Nigerian waters. While widely opposed in oil countries the plan went virtually unnoticed in America.  The plan's title has been recycled a number of times giving it more benign meanings.  Deception, Denial and Censorship that's the American Way. 

Although legislation on the domestic employment of the military has passed the current President refuses to order out the troops.  The laws and plans remain on shelf until some future administration feels sufficiently threatened to again open concentration camps.