“Outdoor Liaisons”
Published on Website only -- 2/12/03 at 11:27 p.m.
Written by Frank Carbone Jr.
(please note that this particular column didn’t appear in the MHT or the WVT
this particular week)
“Into the Valley of Death . . . . . . “
. . . . . rode the six hundred.” An excerpt from a poem by poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) who wrote “The Charge Of The Light Brigade” in 1864. He was writing about the suicidal actions of light British Cavalry Forces advancing against Russian troops, through open lands during the Battle of Balaclava (Ukraine) and during the Crimean War (1854-56). Russia was fighting against Turkey and France when Britain entered the war. The British entered the war when Russia attempted to control British sea routes. Just another war by mankind that’s all about power, money, control and greed -- the reasons for war never change.
When Tennyson wrote this famous poem. He may not have realized that many of his words -- that he penned with his quill pen -- would ever be used as metaphors by future writers in a modern world. A world of supposedly civilized humans whose weapons are far more destructive than Tennyson could have ever imagined as he wrote about “the Charge of the Light Brigade” -- and the lines that I‘ll never forget “Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die, Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred.” (the poem appears below in it‘s entirety).
As I write my newspaper column six days before it was to hit the streets, America’s “Terror Threat Level” has been raised to “High.” I feel that we as American citizens will be more at risk than ever before in US history. I can only hope and pray for a peaceful resolution to the potential lethal military actions that seem to be escalating quickly. I don’t have a warm feeling, at this time, that President Bush and certain other American leaders are doing the right thing. Calling for, planning and building-up for a major war and massive aggression against the people of Iraq -- in order to get at their leader Saddam Hussein -- and risking millions of innocent American or Iraqi’s lives, both home and abroad is not a good solution in my opinion. And it has not been justified, as I see it, by either Bush, Powell or any other high level White House snake-oil salesman. Many other Americans and prominent ex-military folks also disagree with the White House course of action.
Yes, Colin Powell did appear on TV and professionally laid out all of the evidence to make the case for war. He speaks very well, and has even done a better job than Bush in my opinion. I’m sure that from the air the American military machine will have few problems that can’t be managed. But I can’t say the same for ground troops who will possibly see resistance that they have never experienced before. And on American soil it could be open season on Americans by terrorists who want to kill all Americans under the guise of religion.
Ridge, Ashcroft and the FBI Director all spoke during the press conference of 2/7/03. As I listened to Ridge speak I expected to hear his recommendations on what we, as Americans, should be doing to prepare or make plans in the event of problems on American soil. After all men and women in Iraq are bearing arms.
He stated that Americans should continue with normal business as usual and he wanted to make sure that we were "armed in advance with information." When I heard the words "armed in advance" I thought armed as in firearms and ammunition but quickly realized he added the words “with information.” Ashcroft stated that “lightly secured targets in the US are potential targets.”
There's seems to be no chance at this time for Americans to feel completely free to exercise their constitutional right to “keep and bear arms” even with the “Terror Alert System on “High.” Many government operatives continue to waste valuable time and money attempting to disarm the American people through onerous laws at each and every level of government. I don't have the confidence in Ridge, Ashcroft, Bush or any of the others on both sides of the fence that they'll ever recommend that we prepare for the unknown in near future by arming ourselves.
One female news reporter in the press conference made the statement -- "The American people are confused as to what to do" (i.e. to prepare themselves for acts of terrorism). Ridge just merely danced around the statement, in my opinion, and didn't make any viable/realistic recommendations except to say “make sure that you are in communication with your family and have a plan.”
So be prepared folks -- even if Ridge won't make specific recommendations I will. As always, make sure that you have plenty of potable water, food (pet and human), back-up source of heat/power, candles, flashlights, lanterns, gas camping stove, extra gas cylinders, sleeping bags, a full gas tank in your vehicle, etc. And if you are so inclined as I -- and can handle them safely and efficiently -- workable firearms and plenty of ammunition. Always be prepared.
Do we have major targets in our region that can be hit by terrorists? Is government doing it’s best to protect America and it’s people from an invasion within?
Since 9/11:
Why hasn't the administration done anything to protect and seal all of the US
borders?
We've all seen and heard all of the hype from past and present politicos, D's
and R's, the right and the left, conservative and liberal], the lies, the
investigations, the reports, the CYA's, the wasted innocent human lives, both
foreign and domestic and the wasted $ billions upon $ billions. For what reason?
Big business interests in foreign
countries and the USA? Yes, there have been times that we needed to react and we
reacted. And there have also been times that we needed to and didn't.
The US and/or Bush has not yet made their case in my opinion. I want to
believe the reports, the testimony and the intelligence. But as we all know and
if past history repeats itself there's more to this war than we Americans or the
rest of the world is privy to or ever will know.
Most Americans feel that an attack on Iraq will definitely bring about attacks on American soil.
“Pray for Peace -- Dress for war.” Robee VanNorman, Ulster County SCOPE Chair
* * *
The Charge of the Light Brigade
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Half a league half a league
Half a league onward
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred:
`Forward the Light Brigade
Charge for the guns' he said
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred
`Forward the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Some one had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do & die,
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd & thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot & shell,
Boldly they rode & well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air,
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack & Russian
Reel'd from the sabre-stroke,
Shatter'd & sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd & thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot & shell,
While horse & hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!
* * *
Outdoor Liaisons appears every other week in the Times - Frank can be reached at the Times or email forthebirds39@earthlink.net or 845-562-0941. Please visit my website at www.outdoorliaisons.com