We kill and bomb
Murder and maim
Target and terrorize mostly
(for high-tech armies)
from great distance
the better not to see actual faces
or severed limbs, or intestines oozing through
holes where belly buttons used to testify
to being a mother-born child
But then we apologize
Sorry
So sorry
Deeply regret
Such a tragedy!
Sorry, sorry, sorry
We do everything we can to limit civilian casualties
“This isn’t Sunday school”
(one politician’s actual words)
Didn’t have those children in our sights
Impossible to see, at 10,000 feet,
whether Kalashnakovs are present
Smart bombs aren’t flawless
Flawed intelligence
(as if a test score were at stake)
Military necessity
Rules of engagement need refining
S**t happens
We gave them advance warning
War is hell
The unintended consequences and inevitable
eventualities in hostile force-reduction and
counter-insurgency strategic operations
(See s**t happens)
Freedom isn’t free
Do unto others before they do unto you
Asymmetrical warfare
(“Why don’t they come out and fight like men!”)
No independent verification of claims of civilian massacre
(aka, no one left standing)
“This is no My Lai” (Vietnam, where as many as 504—
the Pentagon says only 347—unarmed women,
children and old men were killed by U.S. troops, no
weapons recovered, for which one soldier was
convicted, spending 4 months in prison.)
We fight them there so we don’t have to fight them here
(which is why the U.S. needs 1,000 or so military
bases outside its borders, dozens with golf courses)
Won’t happen again, unless it does, then
Sorry, Sorry, Sorry
Video, and sentiments, at the top of the hour
They left us no option
Forced into this corner
Them or us
Hearings to be convened
We’ll get to the bottom of this
We need to wait ’til all the facts are in
But only eyes, no heads, will roll:
foreign-born blood being cheap as it is
If war is the answer
the question must be really stupid
©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org. Written in 2002 after hearing one too many public officials rationalize “collateral damage”against innocent victims of U.S. military strikes.