Do American Politicians Need to Wear Flak Jackets?

American Hacks Talk Without Flaks
May 15, 2007
by Bob Parks

While all I have is opinions, I’m honored that people value mine. With that, I have to admit, there are times I’m just flummoxed. This is one of those times.

Many of our politicians in Washington D.C. are demanding that the Iraqi Government get its act together and get control of their streets or we’ll pull out of Iraq. Many say the Iraqis are dragging their feet, not doing enough, etc.

Last week, Vice President Dick Cheney made an unannounced visit to the soldiers in Iraq. He was wearing a flak jacket. This is an extraordinary photograph.

Think about it….

When Queen Elizabeth came to the United States last week, her visit was anticipated by the media, she made scheduled visits, a fancy-schmancy dinner at the White House, and moved about as freely as a Queen could… without a flak jacket.

But when he went to Iraq, the Vice President of the United States of America had to wear body armor. While we all know it’s not the safest place to be, that picture speaks volumes.

With that, I ask… who are American politicians to tell the Iraqis how to manage the situation on the ground? They assume the Iraqis aren’t trying. How can they relate to anything going on over there?

Our Congresspersons and Senators are living fairly spoiled lives here, while Iraqi politicians risk theirs everyday going to work.

We’ve heard and read about assassinations. We’ve heard about Iraqi government officials getting machine-gunned or blown up by roadside bombs. We hear about young men who volunteer to join their local police force to secure their own neighborhood. We hear of police stations being bombed and policemen being kidnapped and later executed. All this while our know-it-all elected officials gripe about how those lazy Iraqis need to do more to help themselves or we’ll just up and leave them to the wolves.

When was the last time we ever saw an American politician have to wear a flak jacket just to get to Capitol Hill? The only thing they have to worry about is getting special treatment on the roads to avoid traffic. When was the last time they had to worry if a bomb was placed under their car? When was the last time they had to be concerned about who may be waiting around the corner with a rocket-propelled grenade? Do any of our politicians, besides Miss Hillary and Obama, have bodyguards escort them whenever they go outside? Have any of our politicians had their family members kidnapped and murdered?

How many of our judges have been killed because they’ve sentenced terrorist murderers to death? Our powerful and privileged live a relatively docile life in comparison to the Iraqis who risk life and limb every damn day, yet they’re told by a bunch of pussies in Washington D.C. to hurry up and get things in order… or else.

The terrorist insurgency is killing hundreds of civilians every week. Their main goal is to create instability so when the United States eventually ramps things down there, it will be easier to seize control and implement Sharia Law throughout the nation. Should that day ever come, there will be executions and honor killings unlike the world has seen in decades, yet American politicians say the Iraqis need to pull their own weight sooner rather than later.

I contend the Iraqis are doing more than any of the limp-wristed, cowardly American politicians would ever do. Most of ours would resign from office in a heartbeat if it ever became so dangerous to be a politician in America that they’d need to wear a flak jacket and have 24-hour, armed security for their families.

While they are the latest, fashionable people to beat up on, I admire the Iraqi Government officials. While there are the typical Third World shenanigans going on as far as corruption and graft, there is a daily life and limb element that makes the wrongdoing almost justified.

Dick Cheney had to wear a flak jacket just getting around in Iraq. Some Iraqi politicians probably have to wear them. Risking their lives to secure their country is a reality they live with everyday. That shows guts.

Our politicians could learn a lot from the Iraqis.