She Holds the Torch

Sequestered deep underground in hardened walled silos are numerous "MMDM's, Mutual Mass Destruction Missiles", which carry Nuclear Bombs aimed at every conceivable target generals thought of. Their thinking was based on : who in their right mind does not fear death; therefor, no sane person ( president, dictator, leader ) would launch missiles knowing reciprocal incoming missiles would obliterate themselves, all loved ones, and so many more, including civilization as we know it.

Today's thinking has changed the equation, it has thrown out old thinking. Whoever thought at the inception of silos the fears of men would change radically. Once mass destruction was abhorrent to everyone, but today, a few persons with bombs strapped to their torsos covered with clothing send deeper chills up the spines of the World's population. Just not knowing who has bombs strapped to themselves has the World in a turmoil, the fear of neighbors, of immigrants, of nationalities, and the fear of color becomes insidious.

The siloed bombs will continue to be stored below ground in a readied manor while the walking bomber, unknown to all but a few in his or her cell, is also ready to be blown up. The USA with an overwhelming superiority in nuclear armament resembles a eunuch, impressively big and strong but because of loosing his manhood can't function in a normal sexual way, and is powerless to unleash its arsenal. In contrast, the suicide bomber can choose a time and place to detonate or not detonate his hidden explosives. No longer does the adage of "might makes right" prevail ; nor that of " it's not only the biggest or strongest that wins, but it's the fellow who thinks he can".

Realizing the suicide bomber is under an allusion of some ulterior motive and does not subscribe to societal norms makes him or her an enigma. Somehow, someway civilization must forget the foundations of old thought and quickly develop new thinking, something that dissuades young minds from thinking it's admirable to inflict death on one's self and indiscriminately on people unknown.

Do we as Americans set a example for foreign young people to emulate, are we made of a substance they want themselves to live by ? Do we as citizens through our elected representatives create the type of country everyone in this World would long to live in ? Are we a society of laws, a land of ideas, a land lit by the light of shining cities set on each hill ? Do we act in accordance with the inscription on the Statue of Liberty ? "... Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door !"( Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus )

Ronald C. Downie