nce again, your Dragonmaster finds himself having to battle certain Dragons in the (dare I say it!) real world. As ever, the idea that I must do so leaves a horrible taste in my mouth; you'll understand why when I explain my reasons for this new commentary, A Wizard @ War, Version 2.0.
As you know, the big international story involves what is being called the darkest hour of President Bush's admininstration: the world having already been horrified by explicitly graphic photographs and videos depicting American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners --- and facing the prospect that there may yet be further such depictions to come --- well, to call a spade a spade, the subject has left so bitter a taste in me mouth that I can hardly keep me feelings to meself anymore. We have, I strongly suspect, made it possible for our foes to cause us even more physical, emotional and psychological damage, perhaps irrevocably so, than was done on 9/11 itself!
I need not remind you folks what's at stake here, but for the benefit of those of you out there not playing along at home, as it were, here is what we are dealing with: We're up against a fanatical terrorist organization known as al-Qaeda, whose long-range goal is not simply the murder of every man, woman and child in the good ol' U.S. of A. --- no, these fools, and indeed they are fools, seek no less than the destruction of ALL of Western civilization! At the heart of al-Qaeda is a fiend calling himself Osama bin Laden. Even now, this villain hides in a dark cave somewhere, apparently gloating with joy over the concept of a (perish the thought!) "Vietnam II" --- one which might, should Osama emerge triumphant (and I simply MUST go on record as praying that he will not!), pave the way for some kind of Islamic superstate, with himself as absolute ruler. That is why it is up to us, the good guys, to stop him at all costs.
Even now, especially in mine adopted metropolis of Manhattan, the debate rages over the revival of the concept of conscription into the U.S. Armed Services --- the Draft, as it's more simply known to the Vietnam historians --- but, having learned the lessons of "the previous 'Nam," I believe that there are a good many of you youngsters out there who won't go for it. This is not to say that there are a lot of you who won't want to fight for our country, because many of you will want to do so. Please understand that these are very angry times right now, and that there are, and I hope that there will continue to be, people who are doing their best to try to make things right for us all. And your Dragonmaster humbly and wholeheartedly supports those people.
Be further aware that I have shrunk from having to write these words, especially since I've had to write said words on Mother's Day itself (my apologies, Mumsey dearest). But it is obvious to me that we can no longer afford to hide behind the spectre of spin doctors and talking heads any further. The time has come to speak out and remind our President why 3000 souls perished for no good reason on September 11th, 2001. With the Republican Convention coming in August to Madison Square Garden, these will be dangerous times indeed for New York City and the world, as President Bush arrives to accept the nomination of his party for a second term of office. There will be protests in the streets, though; I know not if I'll be involved in any of them. But this much is certain:
I have had to accept that I am indeed a Wizard @ War --- not just against the Dragons of Evil, but against the Dragons who would destroy us all. In short, we are waging our own battle against Sauron --- and, given that our Exalted Brethren, Merlin and Gandalf, are not here to rescue us..... well, all I can say is, please be thankful that there is, at the very least, ONE Wizard determined to keep ye Home Fyres burning. That Mage, of course, is yours truly. And with your help and support, I hope, we can indeed secure those long hoped for Dragons of Peace.
So, Lords and Ladies: Art thou with me? If so, let us have at it! God Bless America, by Merlin's beard! Pray, let us kick some ass!