Inigo Montoya

In the movie "The Princess Bride", Inigo Montoya seeks to kill Count Rugen for having murdered his father. There is a piece from the movie that struck me today. In the final battle between Inigo and the Count, when the Count is at the end of Inigo's sword and out of options, he tries to bargain. At one point, Inigo says "Give me everything I ask". The Count replies "Everything I have". At which point, Inigo runs him through and says "I want my father back, you son of a bitch".

You might wonder what brought this on. I wanted to blog about yet another anniversary of this misbegotten war. But as I was watching the news this evening, something occurred to me. The corruption, lies, and misery go far beyond Iraq. And while Iraq is uppermost in my mind, I wish to paraphrase the valiant Inigo.

I want my country back, you son of a bitch.

I want our armed forces out of Iraq. I don't want one more family to suffer one more loss. I don't want one more family to make do, worry, or miss someone, or prepare to face the possibility.

I want the people of Iraq to get their country back. Tonight I saw pictures of Iraqis suffering and dying because their own health care system has been nearly destroyed by this war.

I want my voice back. I am tired of assholes like Trent Lott and his ilk questioning my patriotism, love of my country, or support of the troops because I think this whole thing was a mistake and I want it finished.

I don't want to have to keep explaining all of this to my son, whose questions become more painful and complex as he gets older. I don't want to send anymore family members away, and then live the twin grinds of worrying from them, and justifying my own pacifism. I want the "leaders" of our government to listen to the people who elected them, and who pay them. For the most part, we have had enough. No one can totally agree on how it should end, only that it should.

I don't want another anniversary of death, destruction, and pain.

I know it was just a fairy tale movie. But with Inigo's words ringing through my head, I found some words of my own.

I want my peace back, you son of a bitch.
I want my hope back, you son of a bitch.
I want my America back, you son of a bitch.

Hopefully, I will find some measure of justice someday, as Inigo did. I only hope I don't have to wait as long. good night and good luck...stimp