discuss

we have a brand new museum of contemporary art here in hot springs. it has a brand shiny new visitor.

the presence of the golden grenade has the local veteran groups up in arms (so to speak). they say a dove with an olive branch in its beak or, perhaps, an eagle would be more fitting. they say this celebrates war.

i say it does not. i say let's talk about it.

my friend and i drove down bathhouse row last evening. this new addition shone brightly in the late day sun - it's hard to miss. we talked about what might possibly offend us and discovered we probably have stomachs stronger than most. even so, the presence of the sculpture had us wondering why discussing war seems synonymous with being anti-war or worse - anti-country.

i do worry that some view war as a forgone conclusion - as the price of freedom. my problem with this is that freedom is less free when our desire, our effort to talk about the price is berated or bullied. or covered up by the wings of a big eagle.

i understand the cost to those who fight on the front lines is dear. i have never been there and cannot imagine what that's like. i respect the sacrifice and urge those who have made it to understand how i love my country and how my dearest wish is for nobody to have to do what they have done.

i've heard silence is the voice of complicity. i say discuss.