Tomorrow in a City Near You

By now, I'm sure that you will have seen the ubiquitous video of the Marines killing an Iraqi. Now, before you say, 'Well, the Iraqi was trying to kill them' or 'That's the reality of war,' I want to let you in on a little secret. This isn't just going to happen in Iraq . Yes, after a few years in Iraq , killing and becoming hardened to killing, these same troops will come here to enforce the martial law that's coming.

I know that you don't believe me. After all, Mark's a known contrarian pessimist and a black asshole, to boot. Who cares what he thinks? Well, I will offer proof of my assertion.

I actually read the article myself, but I will refer you to the current copy of Cigar Aficionado magazine. In this rag, besides the obvious glorification of big cars, fine booze and stogies, there was an interview with Gen. Tommy Franks. He stated very clearly and somberly that:

'. . . a terrorist, massive, casualty-producing event somewhere in the Western world ' it may be in the United States of America ' that causes our population to question our own Constitution and to begin to militarize our country in order to avoid a repeat of another mass, casualty-producing event.'

Now if we follow the Gillespie Contrarian rule, what is this telling you? This man has been involved with the planning and control of the military structure in this country for years. Do you think that he would just blithely toss off such an idea, if it hasn't already been prepared and planned for?

If you need more proof, then ask why there are new Urban Combat training camps at Ft. Lewis and other bases? Why are there more being built all the time? What, is the army worried about another Somalia ? I don't think so.

My mother told me about the riots of blacks in 1968, when MLK was assassinated. Even here, in Kansas City , the National Guard was out en masse, enforcing curfews and manning checkpoints. My mother even saw armored vehicles and tanks on the streets. Now, if that was the response in defense against rioters and upset blacks, what will they do if a major 'terrorist' attack makes enough white folks panic? They will not do any less and possibly more. When scenes like the one you saw become commonplace here in Detroit , or New York , I wonder who will stand up and justify the killings then.

In a recent issue of Popular Science or Popular Mechanics, I read an article that described a scenario where the L.A. urban area had seceded from the U.S. and how the military could take it down and regain control. This was in a magazine that reaches millions of readers. Like my 'grandpa' used to say, 'Anytime you see something on TV or in the paper, them white folks done already knowed about it, for at least ten years.' The old man knew way more than I gave him credit for.

So, as you watch these scenes of killing and murder, don't just feel sorry for the poor Iraqi or bemoan the wars that make young men into killers. Be truly concerned for your own ass, because what's happening in Fallujah or Najaf today, will be happening tomorrow, in a city near you.