I give him credit for being a student of history...ala Jane Fonda.
I'm not sure.. He wasn't quite as blatant as Jane, but he did put in some "digs" against current Bush administration policy:
"Because of the technology and the heightened desperation of the world today, I think it's very possible that we are facing the first century that will complete itself without mankind -- and that's not the future that I want for my children, or for their children," he declared.
As far as I'm concerned, if there is a worldwide conflagration resulting in the extermination of mankind, it will be provoked and launched by militant religious fanatics (MRF)... And while some may claim that Bush is one such MRF, using his office to advance a christian "crusade", anyone with a semi-conscious mental state would understand the limitations he has for implementing such a strategy..
However, given the lack of democratic values, economic prosperity, as well as a SERIOUSLY destressing demographic trend (baby boom)in the muslim world, I don't discount the potential for militant fundamentalists to gave political dominance in the region. And once in political and military control, it will be extremely difficult to dislodge them.
But primarily, I think Penn's "dig" lay in this statement:
Penn said it would "suit us all" if Iraq fully disclosed any banned weapons it still has, but questioned whether U.S. national security concerns about this justified war.
It obviously concerns US national interest when such an individual has twice attempted to exert his dominance and control over the region and its oil resources (1990 and 1994) and the binding UN resolutions, which the US and UK have born the primary burden in enforcing, remain unimplemented and obstructed at every opportunity by Saddam.
It is American pilots who, on a daily basis, place their lives at risk in an attempt to counter Saddam's internal repression. It is Saddam who, on almost a daily basis, attempts to shoot them down (the most recent attempt was a "SAM trap")...
If someone is shooting at me, but I'm nimble enough to pull a "Matrix" and avoid being hit, it doesn't mean that I shouldn't respond with sufficient force to prevent them shooting at me in the future... After all, it's not my fault they're a lousy shot... I can't afford to wait for the "golden BB" that equates to a lucky shot..
Thus, for Penn to ONLY NOW question whether it is worth risking US lives in countering Saddam, actually demeans the danger and inconvenience that American servicemen have endured over the past 12 years.
Hawk |
