Civilized?

Isn't it ironic that the cradle of civilization would be the site of several inhumane acts? Acts that are just unacceptable even by today's low standards. Suicide bombers have struck once again at Baghdad, killing more than 150 people and injuring hundreds more. It has been said that more soldiers and civilians have died after the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom was declared than during the operation itself. It's because this time, the enemy has switched to guerilla tactics, a method so effective in an urban setting such as the cities of Iraq. How exactly do you fight an enemy who is willing to die, for as long as he takes several more with him?

A friend likened the situation to a termite infestation. The only way to kill the colony would be to find the queen. Ifyou can't, then you might as well burn your house. Of course, America will not burn Iraq, as they want it preserved as much as possible. Why? Oil. It has always been about keeping the oil flowing to sate America's hunger for the stuff. Years have passed since the invasion of Iraq, and we have yet to see what a weapon of mass destruction looks like. They did find Saddam though, I'll give them that. But that's about it. If he's the weapon, then I'm extremely disappointed.

Several thousand miles away, the same situation is also occurring in Afghanistan. The plan was to find Bin Laden and get rid of the Taliban. Where are they now? Bin Laden still finds time to issue his press releases, and the Taliban have gained ground once again along the border of Pakistan. These are the results of two wars that have claimed thousands of lives, both military and civilian, and yet the original intentions for the initiation of hostilities have yet to be attained. Wars that have cost John McCain the presidency. And now, Obama wants to send more troops. And they say Philippine politics sucks!

Did civilization really take place? What the human race has achieved is a penchant for war. But even in this aspect, we seem to have failed as well. All that technology that the US and its allies have, can't seem to break the back of those who fight on donkeys and mules, don't wear body armor, with weapons only a slight improvement over the numerous rocks and stones that litter the country. Perhaps this is what being civilized really means. The ability and the capacity to show just how uncivilized we can be, when necessary.