AFTERSHOCK

Michael Hoban, Ph.D.

Something about our nation was destroyed that awful day
Besides the great twin towers and the lives just torn away.

Our country lost a great deal more - it is very sad to say
Because our leader saw his chance to have it all his way.

He hid behind a tragedy to settle an old score.
The world looked on in horror as he did just that and more.

The U.S. became a bully in the eyes of those abroad
And many of us here at home felt betrayed (and just ignored).

For do we really have the right to invade another land
Because we hate its leader or the way he plays his hand?

Did we really slay that "tyrant" from that far and distant shore
So that we could have our very own right here at our front door?

And do they have the right to just spy on people here
Because we have a leader who takes advantage of our fear?

It's one thing to fight terror in a noble and just way
But quite another to act the bully because you feel so strong today.

Did we survive the Nazis and a cold war with the Red
Just to see our leaders shame us? - this is what I truly dread.

We are told they will protect us from all that is so bad.
Why do I have this feeling that we all are being had?

It may be true there is a snake that has us in its coil.
But how much of their actions have been steeped in desert oil?

Meanwhile our troops are dying and our rights are swept away
While we sit back and ask ourselves: How did we get this way?

How did this mighty country of which we are so proud
Become the schoolyard bully and wear this shameful shroud?

Michael Hoban, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus of the City University of NY
He can be reached at mike_hoban@msn.com.