American Is Exception: In The Number We Have Killed 5-24-2022
American Exceptionalism: Reflections of Mass Shootings
Reflecting on the third mass shooting this week*
There is a simple answer we surely must seek.
The Republican senate for years has killed
Even the most reasonable gun control bill
The second amendment’s the Holy Grail
Challenging it is beyond the pale.
Historically though – and these are the facts
It was used to pacify Indians and blacks.
Studying objectively our history
Shows American violence is no mystery.
Genocide and violence is in our genes
We have slaughtered using many means.
Since WWII Branfman** points out
The US directly or indirectly
Is responsible for millions of deaths
And helping people breath their last breaths.
In Iraq and Afghanistan the numbers are immense
In an aggressive war for oil that made no sense.
Of Clinton’s Iraq embargo Leslie Stahl
On U.S. Sanctions against Iraq:
“We have heard that a half million children have died. I mean, that’s more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth it?”
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: I think this is a very hard choice, but the price — we think the price is worth it.” (60 minutes 5-12-96, www.fair.org).
So America is exceptional in having killed I say without mirth
More people than any recent country on earth.
We are a people of extreme violence.
With a few hearts filled with ugly malevolence.
Howard P. Charman, MD 5-24-2022
*Shooting Uvalde, TX 5-24-22. At least 19 students and 2 adults killed.
**Fred Branfman. AlterNet 9-20-2013. The World’s Most Evil and Lawless Institution? The Executive Branch of the US Government.