Pizza, bagles and freedom
More Americans should know about the truly odd game that an energetic group of New Yorkers played in the streets of Brooklyn recently. Not because "Manhunt" is the next Macarena, but because the event is a clear sign that at least some Americans are enjoying their freedom.
That a group of twenty-somethings planned this gathering in advance, publicized it to the world, welcomed folks of all shapes/colors and ostensibly had a great time playing an adult version of Hide & Seek tells me that life is still good -- and fun -- in America.
This freedom, however, has a steep price tag. A few years ago, thousands of innocent people died less than a mile away from DUMBO, and several hundred more perished in Pennsylvania and Washington DC. And since that fateful day, roughly 1,700 servicemembers have paid with their lives, thousands more wounded. And the list will grow.
Having 150,000 U.S. troops on the other side of the world, in harm's way, is a tough pill to swallow, regardless of your political ideology. But it has to be done. We have to take the fight to our adversary, expect casualties, and patiently execute a long-term mission.
The alternative is the adversary's dream: Allow him to play offense in our backyard (again). Putting it mildly, that solution kinda puts a damper on things. There'd be no safety in our streets, no refuge in our homes. And you can forget about Capture the Flag.
I'm proud to know there's a long queue of people standing ready to pay for our freedom, no matter what the cost. The least we can do while we wait is enjoy what's been gifted to us already by fallen patriots. And play Manhunt as often as we can.
That a group of twenty-somethings planned this gathering in advance, publicized it to the world, welcomed folks of all shapes/colors and ostensibly had a great time playing an adult version of Hide & Seek tells me that life is still good -- and fun -- in America.
This freedom, however, has a steep price tag. A few years ago, thousands of innocent people died less than a mile away from DUMBO, and several hundred more perished in Pennsylvania and Washington DC. And since that fateful day, roughly 1,700 servicemembers have paid with their lives, thousands more wounded. And the list will grow.
Having 150,000 U.S. troops on the other side of the world, in harm's way, is a tough pill to swallow, regardless of your political ideology. But it has to be done. We have to take the fight to our adversary, expect casualties, and patiently execute a long-term mission.
The alternative is the adversary's dream: Allow him to play offense in our backyard (again). Putting it mildly, that solution kinda puts a damper on things. There'd be no safety in our streets, no refuge in our homes. And you can forget about Capture the Flag.
I'm proud to know there's a long queue of people standing ready to pay for our freedom, no matter what the cost. The least we can do while we wait is enjoy what's been gifted to us already by fallen patriots. And play Manhunt as often as we can.
posted by Funky One at Friday, June 10, 2005
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