That phrase -- along with "weapons of mass destruction" -- is a term that I hope soon passes out of popular use. I wonder who coined that phrase: "shock and awe." I'm sure they are terribly proud of themselves... the idiots. Americans/people can be so uncouth... so unrefined. So willing to latch onto and repeat -- almost on cue -- the latest "cool" phrase without ever giving its meaning a moment's reflection.
As the bombs fell on Baghdad for the second night in a row (on LIVE TV, no less), I happened to think of my daughter. And what it would be like if something like that happened where I live. In the middle of the night -- when the terrors come. How scared to death she'd feel and how terrible I'd feel for her, knowing that I would be absolutely powerless to protect her from any stray bomb that might fall our way. For her I would be no saving prince in shining armor.
And so, I thought of all those Iraqi families -- some 5 million people in Baghdad alone -- that have lived for two decades under a cruel dictator and his evil, rapist, murderous progeny. Now, all those innocent people have to put up with this. The MTV-ready phrase "shock and awe" never appealed to me, and the more I hear it, the more nauseated it makes me feel.
I hope Bush is true to every one of his words relative to his plans for Iraq... not just the ones that concern military action. I hope those Iraqis who are unfortunate enough to have been born Iraqi will one day get some relief... and very soon. I hope.