In response to a March 4 mail call:
It’s 3:10 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and I am working in one of the many labs I administer. Before proceeding to the next task of the day, several of my student technicians catch my eye. They waved a copy of Tuesday’s Battalion mail call section before me. Knowing me as a straight shooting, ex-military, conservative old Ag, they knew I need to see Mr. Taqvi’s letter.
I agree there is no profound or poetic way to respond to tanks and artillery pieces being transported down the College Station tracks. There are several practical ways to respond. Perhaps the first that comes to mind is that they came from Ft. Hood headed to the Port of Houston via the most economical and straightforward method.
Curiously though, it makes sense. You must have been sleeping off the day instead of attending class, since you missed all the previous shipments of military vehicles during the day. When I see tanks being transported I feel pride, honor and I sleep a lot better knowing that we have the big stick.
We can stand up to tyranny and oppression. We can stomp a mudhole in some tinhorn terrorist state and the psychopathic dictator that runs it. And we can feed the poor, heal the sick and aid the impoverished, because we have the big stick. Too bad they didn’t have “I fight so you may keep your precious rights” scrawled on their sides.
Millions and millions before me have said much more eloquently and diplomatically what I wish to express, but if reading a letter like Mr. Taqvi’s isn’t enough to piss you off, I am not sure what is. I am not a cynic, a left wing satirical socialist or a bed wetting, tree hugging peace activist.
I too fear the tanks, but not for me and you; I fear for the screaming Iraqi soldiers running from them. Let’s hope they all have large white flags ready to be unfurled.
Your letter, Mr. Taqvi, has affected me, it has fired me up. I will no longer stand idle and allow feeble attempts at cynicism to go unchallenged. Remember Sept 11? How about World War II? Kosovo? Bosnia? Instead of Black Arm Bands how about good old red, white and blue!!!
Jim Wilson
Class of 1994