Raves, Rants & Roses

RANT: Sad situation! Schools teaching the young that "Winning isn't the best thing - it is the only thing." This dubious value can cloud the judgment forever. One world for it is "machismo."

In Iraq as well as on the football field, winning becomes a strange and terrible fixation. No one can describe what winning and losing consists of in war - especially the Iraq war (euphemistically, "the War on Terror") - except for the soldier or marine who loses his health, his sanity, or his life.

Win or lose, in this event, those fighting in Iraq are paying the price. Americans at home are paying also and will be for a long time. And, what do we get for the price we pay.

This outrage of "winning is everything" thinking is instilled into little Americans from a tender age, in their school athletic programs. Like religion taught to the young ... the supreme value of "winning" tends to stick forever when drummed in from early childhood.

A peace vigil or demonstration is held on the downtown courthouse square in Tyler every Friday noon, faithfully attended by Smith Countians who believe the best way to honor our military is to bring them home safe.

One motorist in a car has been seen at noon on peace Fridays circling the square with a big sign - a one-word sign that ways "win," which he flaunts at the peacemakers with a belligerent hand gesture. His sign and gesture may as well say: "kill." Indeed, what else would it take to satisfy him?

Define "winning," please. The stakes are high and the cost prohibitive. America is squandering its honor, its treasure and American lives, every single day.

Anne Williams
Tyler