19 June 1999
William Gillespie & Dirk Stratton
"We have grown ever more sensitive
about casualties. We may call for a crusade
to expand tolerance and democracy, but we don't
have the stomach for the slaughter that requires."
About casualties: We may call for a crusade
against the Pentagon. Americans
have the stomach for the slaughter that requires
that weaponry be used for peaceful purposes . . .
Against the Pentagon, Americans
forfeit all logic. They think, "Let
that weaponry be!" Used for peaceful purposes?
They fail to see the contradiction.
Forfeit all logic. They think, "Let
The bombs fall so the suffering will end."
They fail to see the contradiction
From 500,000 feet above the children.
The bombs fall. So, the suffering will end.
By this syllogism, the quality of mercy is strained:
From 500,000 feet, above the children
The merciful explosions wait, then descend.
By this syllogism, the quality of mercy is strained.
We have grown ever more sensitive.
The merciful explosions await, then descend
to expand tolerance and democracy, but we don't.
