Tyrone

Never underestimate the power of words. Consider, for example, how a few innocent words can potentially derail a candidate's presidential aspirations.

Republican candidate Mitt Romney has 5 sons ranging in age from 26 to 37. Until recently, they have been employed as ad executives, sports marketers and real estate developers. They are now actively campaigning for their fathers election.

Asked about their military status at an Iowa rally on August 8, Romney said he respected their decision to avoid military service, pointing out that his sons were supporting the country by helping their father get elected.

Anti-war activist Rachel Griffiths, who asked the question, was a little disconcerted by the answer. Told that Romneys son Josh was supporting his country by riding all around Iowa in a Winnebago, trying to get his father elected, was not exactly what she expected to hear.

Romneys explanation is more than a little revealing of his character. In fact, it tells you exactly what he is. Yes, you can call him a flip-flopping, poll-driven, draft-dodging, Mormon millionaire elitist robot - or anything else.

His sons have a right to avoid this war. For any number of excellent reasons. And if I had sons of military age, I would advise them to avoid it too. What is truly unconscionable is Romneys ardent support of the war - and somehow equating his sons activities with the horrendous sacrifices made by our servicemen on active duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Apparently it is acceptable for other kids to go to war - to return brain damaged or blind or without limbs or in a body bag - as long as your kids are safe.

But of course! Why didnt I think of it? His kids obviously deserve only the best. Yours? Cannon fodder! Peons. Serfs. How dare you even think to question the king of the hill?

Romney revealed who he was, and under that innocent Mormon facade, theres an opportunistic power-hungry, privileged elitist - no different from any of our demented rulers in the White House.

In a word, hes a Hypocrite. A person who professes beliefs and opinions that are not his own. A word derived from hypo - meaning small. Despite his incredible fortune, his slick talk and attractive demeanor, It would appear that Mr. Romney is a very small man.

Elect him, if you will, but dont expect any change from the disasters we face now. Weve had more than one hypocrite in the White House. Another shouldnt make that much difference.

Just try not to be completely deceived. When a warmonger advocates more war - for your kids, not his - who does he represent? Certainly not you. Its always the poor who pay the price - the poor who fight and suffer and die. Not people like the Romneys.

I think there should be a law that requires active duty military service for the sons and daughters of every elected official that votes for war. Might be a few less wars then.

Note: Its Sunday, August 12 as I write this. Mitt Romney has won the Iowa straw poll - as expected. How did this happen? Who knows. People are looking for a new leader, and Mr. Romney is an accomplished actor. Maybe we can chalk it up to a failed school system - and the deliberate dumbing-down of our citizens. Maybe its the press - our wonderful free press that manipulates every item of so-called news. Maybe its just a question of Iowans being unable to recognize the obvious.

More likely than not, its probably just a question of money. Mr. Romney wouldnt be the first politician to buy an election. Maybe hes wealthy enough to buy the Presidency. I wonder what it must feel like - to be able to buy anything you might want...

At any rate, winning a straw poll doesnt guarantee anything. Mr. Romney still has a few hurdles to cross - and one can only hope that the great unwashed out here in Sheepleland come to their senses in time.

I still believe that the turning point in Mr. Romneys career came with his fatal choice of words - excusing his sons lack of service, while supporting an illegal war that takes the lives of others not so fortunate.

In the unlikely event of a Romney Presidency, however, Im prepared. I have two documents in front of me, and I just have to choose which one to use. One tells me how to build a bomb shelter. The other is a travel brochure of Canada.

Otto King is a freelance writer, humorist and philosopher. His website 1984 News offers Real News from alternative and global sources, and chronicles our transformation into the totalitarian world of Orwell's 1984.