Definition of silence
War is hellish and hateful. But even more hateful is the hypocrite who endorses, encourages and champions war, while avoiding any personal involvement or risk for himself, his relatives or his friends.
In 2005, the American establishment -- political, economic and journalistic -- has with only a handful of admirable exceptions no personal stake in the armed forces of the United States.
The incontrovertible premise of the administration's war policy, for everyone except those who do serve and their loved ones, is that sacrifice is only for suckers.
In George W. Bush's wartime, no inconvenience, let alone sacrifice, is asked of citizens, and patriotism is painless and can be profitable.