"Citizen Soldiers"

Sometimes you wonder if all those news reporters in the White House "Pool" have brain damage from too much chlorine. Is it more important to ask a question than the question itself? The answer- YES! The network is paying you pretty good bucks; you've got a prestigious position inside the White House; you're hobnobbing with some of the biggest media hobnobs and political hobnobbers and hobnobbees. So yes. Just get your face on the evening news. But come on folks, doesn't it matter if you look like a fool to most common sense viewers across America. Some of the questions asked could only be constructed by blithering idiots on mind-altering drugs.

The president has reiterated numerous times how critical it is for us to go about our regular business and at the same time to be vigilant. That's too much complexity for most reporters to understand. "How Mr. President is one to go about their normal routine and yet, in the next breath, be told by your administration that more terrorist attacks are possible so be vigilant?" Now, what I would do is answer the question with my own questions. "What do you suggest I do, tell the entire country to lie down in a defeated fetal position and wait until another attack occurs? Is that what you are suggesting. How's about we put your name on THAT memo, Einstein. Is that O.K. with you?"

Now seriously, if you put the finest military minds in one war room and ask them what's the best way to bring down a powerful country. Then you tell them you have to do this using limited resources of people, money and equipment. They could not have devised a more effective and efficient plan that what the terrorist are doing. Still, the terrorist cannot beat us physically. They know that. They can only bring this giant to its knees psychologically. It's called "Mind Games".

The Twin Towers and the Pentagon strikes were their finest triumphs. I believe that the symbolic stab to the heart of capitalism and power meant even more to them than the actual destruction of landmark buildings and the taking of innocent lives. That's why we are called on by the president to not let them win.

More now than ever before in our history, our part as "citizen soldiers" is critical. It's more important that all the wars of the past. More important than recycling efforts, war bond efforts and all the civil defense efforts of past engagements. If we stop making plans for tomorrow, they win.

Now here this. As "citizen soldiers" we're called upon to put on our uniforms each morning. It doesn't matter what branch of service we are in. It can be the uniform of office workers, truck drivers and school teachers, factory workers and fireman, policeman and painters. In this war, we are being called upon to march to the front lines each and every day. Listen, most of us will never be able be fire upon the enemy using laser-guided weaponry, but we sure as hell, as "citizen soldiers" can return fire. Fire ONE- You keep those holiday vacation plans. Fire TWO-You make the purchase you had intended to make prior to 9-11. Fire THREE-You don't let fear, perpetrated by the enemy, take your plans prisoner.

And as "citizen soldier", our Commander in Chief also gives us orders to be vigilant. To me, in a time of war, that makes pretty good sense. I don't know why the reporters can't understand. It's simple- WE are the most important foot soldiers here at home in this particular campaign. WE are the ones with the ability to neutralize the enemy's most powerful military strategy.

Remember that old poster with Uncle Sam's long finger of fate pointing straight at you? Well, in this war we are being asked to join the fight as "citizen soldiers". And this time, it's not some advertising agency's award winning public relations gimmick. This time, it real. It's as real as Vice President Dick Cheney's sobering statement that this war may very well be the first to claim more casualties here at home than abroad. This time, Uncle Sam needs you, whatever the uniform you wear.
Paul Gallo

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