The population is starting to compare the Blindly Patriotic American to the Extremist Zealot Muslim. To the outside it seems as if the slightest insult against America will incur the wrath of a thousand men, a thousand bombs, and a hundred thousand lives. Even on the inside the slightest hint of dissent against the machine is met with rabid patriototic ferocity. A foaming mouth of red white a blue, gnashing star spangled teeth.
I don't understand why people have a hard time understanding it.
We, these United States of America, were born of war, the Revolutionary War. We were tried by war, the War of 1812. We were divided by war, the Civil War. We were expanded by war, the Spanish-American War. We profited from war, World Wars I and II selling arms to nations. We rose to prominence through war, World War II. After all of that, we were shamed by loss in war, the Viet Nam "Conflict". If we don't call it a war, it won't count on the unofficial record.
We innovate through war, The Internet. Radio communications. Other inventions. We celebrate war, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, this new fangled "Patriot Day", and other form of candle lit vigil marking the passing of Pearl Harbor, D Day, and other notable conflicts. We reenact war all across the nation, with Civil War charades and costume parties. This town is site of one of 139 National Cemeteries, it's rows and columns full of silent white headstones. Our nation's capitols and cities are adorned with monuments to war: old cannons, retired ships and artillery pieces, statues, plaques. Places of battles themselves are now enshrined like The Alamo, the grounds at Gettysburg, and others. Phrases of war are part of our every day vernacular, "Remember the Alamo." "Give me liberty, or give me death." "War is hell." "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." "A house divided upon itself cannot stand."
Of course we will fight you.
War is all we know.
