Category: The War-making State

Norman Morrison

Now, maybe some U.S. citizens over 65 Remember the name “Norman Morrison” But many people in Vietnam of all ages Know that name The young Quaker immolated himself in 1965 Deliberately close to Robert McNamara’s…

American Political Morality

The Nixon tapes record the following urging Of President Richard Nixon to National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger During the Vietnam War: “I just want you to think big, Henry For Christ sakes the only place…

Questions about the War Dead

When the statisticians in the Armed Services Tally up the war dead- Most recently In Iraq and Afghanistan- Do they include The veterans who commit suicide In country or back at home? How long in…

Right down to the Bone

They had to be college graduates Upwardly mobile If you’ve got a problem They’ll find the solution That’s their business Overcoming obstacles Given our implacable enemies There’s no lollygagging This is serious business A U.S….

Being Real

No one would really confuse a Catholic Worker type with a real ghetto person, and no one would really confuse you with a real impoverished hillbilly. You may identify with them, but they do not…

Cambridge

Now that you’ve been accepted To the Kennedy School of Government Where you’ll have access To current and future movers and shakers Where there’ll be balanced discussions About “America’s humanitarian role in the world” Where…

Getting away with Mass Murder

1. Years ago a student offered her honest assessment of a Social Justice class I taught: “You know, the work load in your class is overwhelming…and I tell all my friends that they have to…

J. A. Topf & Sons

Someone had an idea Someone mentioned it to a colleague Someone sent a memo to the higher-ups Someone gathered a group of movers and shakers Someone got the engineers on board Someone set production goals