Who Took the Guns? by: Arleen M. Kaptur

The Pentagon has lost a few weapons - about 190,000 of them. This is not really so many but when you consider the number of troops there - then the totals just don't add up. Even if there was one gun for each soldier, that is still a few thousand than there should be. Of course, spare guns are always a concern. You know how it is - that gun collection you have is just so hard to keep track of. A reminder to check them each night before you go to bed. You just don't know who is waiting behind the drapes to take a few of them. Now, the blame game begins.

Let's see - the maid may have taken them in her cart daily since 2001. Or, there was a wedding or party and the Iraqi people used them as party favors - a bit odd you may say. Not as odd as a government as advanced with a "prime" military losing that many weapons. Oh, where oh where did the guns go? Good title for the Sunday cartoon strips, don't you think?

Money is missing, body armor is missing, even a Humvee or ten are gone - poof - now you see them - now you don't. Really? The U.S. is blaming Iran and Pakistan for supplying weapons to the insurgents - I don't think so. I think the U.S. army is supplying weapons to the insurgents. Far fetched maybe - but not with Bush/ Cheney and Haliburton at the command center. It could happen and sadly it did happen - they are gone and must be somewhere. Our soldiers are being killed with American guns? The war continues for a reason - if we leave who will live in the McEmbassy that is a whole world unto itself. Also, if the war ends what will the White House do to scare people back behind the sofa while they wait for the white knight to come in his fighter jet, wave, and look so pleased. Or, we could wait until Cheney goes hunting this Fall and he will fight away those bad guys with just one gun - his aim is not the greatest but that's alright too. Whoever gets shot will just have to apologize while the Commando finishes his dinner and rests.

The war is big business, big profits, and kick backs like you have never seen. Cheney still gets checks from Halliburton even though that is really not a main issue and one that Tony Snow can whisk away with a wave of his hand. Hmmm - if the war ended - would the checks? If we left Iraq - would the oil be given back to the people of Iraq? If, if, and if - we could ask these questions but with the government currently in place - Congress would think about scolding us, and the Senate would close that door at the White House and emerge smiling to tell us that we were putting America in danger and that's so not nice. Bush would veto any letter we sent to him explaining why things bother us and Cheney - well, he would look us right in the eye and without batting an eyelash would lie like a rug. Don't you just love America 2007? Something to think about. ©Arleen M. Kaptur August, 2007

About the Author

Arleen M. Kaptur has written numerous articles for magazines and newspapers. Her latest book will be out in 2008.