The Cold War Era V The Hot War Era
by Mary MacElveen
xmjmac@optonline.net

Growing up in the Cold War Era for many of us who remember it, was quite frankly one of the scariest times in our history. We were taught about the evils of communism and the brutality that went along with it. For those of you who were not around to live through it, I would suggest that you study this important time in our world history and learn from it. Remember that quote, "Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it!"

During the Cold War Era, it was the iron fist rule of Nikita Khrushchev and subsequent leaders of the U.S.S.R. who were our national nightmare, and we took many precautions living in a world threatened by them.

In our schools, children became all too familiar with air raid drills, and were told to get under their desks just in case a nuclear bomb was launched by the Soviet Union. Companies that built bomb shelters were fast making money hand over fist. In fact, my in laws' home has such a bomb shelter. When I first saw it, I thought to myself, "Could I remain in this room until the radiation levels were safe enough to leave it?" Living in such tight quarters for years to come, is not the way I would wish to live out the rest of my existence. Many buildings had those yellow and black signs, which meant they were stocked with emergency supplies for those who needed it. Our TV stations were airing emergency drills telling us what to do in case of an emergency. During the height of the "Red Scare", many paid close attention to it. But as years went on, we became immune to these emergency broadcasts. Why did we take all of these precautions? We wanted to preserve our American way, and to guarantee that it survived.

After September 11th, our children began to experience through renewed drills what we as adults went through when growing up. Looking around today, where are those yellow and black signs on buildings? Are bomb shelters making a comeback? We have seen emergency testing on our television sets, but do people really pay attention to them?

In 1947 the House Un-American Activities Committee began an investigation into the Hollywood Motion Picture Industry. Over 320 actors and film professionals were placed on a black list that stopped them from working in Hollywood. We as a society could not tolerate back then any alleged subversive thinking. Even as I type this, I wonder if I too can be investigated for writing this very commentary. Wait, I thought this was America, where thoughts and beliefs could not be investigated. Many of these film professionals saw their hopes and dreams systematically ruined by a frightened government. I am glad that this ugly time in America came to an end. Or did it?

As many of us know all too well, shortly after September 11th, one of the most heinous and un-American bills was signed into law. It is called the U.S.A. Patriot Act, where many of our civil liberties were gutted. It is far more dangerous then The House Un-American Activities Committee, because it is being played out on a much larger stage. This new law effects us all and not just Hollywood. Where Ari Fleischer stated in a press conference to us all, "watch what you say". I thought that this was America, where we were free to express ideas, and not live in fear of doing so. I wonder how those who lived through the blacklisting in Hollywood are feeling now? They must be thinking that we are reliving history. They must also believe we did not learn anything from our past history.

While we who lived through the Cold War were frightened by what could happen, we are now living in a time that I would refer to as the Hot War where things will happen. There is a huge difference between the two. We are about to launch our very own weapons of mass destruction upon the world, and where Mr. Bush has not ruled out using nuclear weapons. Mr. Bush through his own presentation and now Secretary Powell's have rallied some supporters, and is trying to strong arm other countries to support his cause. Richard Pearle, who is an advisor to our Pentagon, even stated, "France is not an ally as it once was." Did Nikita Khrushchev present to the world stage his quest like Mr. Bush and Mr. Powell have done? Did he present to the world a call to real war, and the armaments that would be needed for it? What era is truly more of a threat to the world?

Are Iraqi citizens now planning for such an event, like we did during the Cold War? While we went through drills, they are preparing for the real thing.

The Cold War was about the threat of communism, and what many thought and still think of as a corrupt way of life. The Hot War is about capitalism where many see it as being just as corruptible. Some in our own country feel we own the world, and I have received emails from them who believe it. This Hot War is about the seizing of Iraq's oil fields as stated by Secretary Powell to put 'in trust' for the Iraqi people, and as reported by Newsday, to offset the cost of this war. It is my belief that we are primarily doing this to purport our American way of life, instead of trying to find other energy solutions. Where we can then ship that valuable commodity back home for the American consumer, and the companies who get their hands on it, will stand to profit on the deaths of so many. Namely our military personnel and innocent Iraqi citizens.

Yes, I am certain that Saddam Hussein is a brutal leader who must be dealt with. But there are many throughout the world, including world leaders in France, Germany, Russia (which was once the U.S.S.R.) and China (still a communist country) who are not for the use of weapons that will rain down on the Iraqi people. They are not willing to put the lives of their military into harm's way, or use their economic resources for this cause. Cooler heads must prevail to address Saddam Hussein. Because, many around the world are afraid that by us going forth with this action, the terrorist threats we have all been living with, will become more of a reality. Will those who sympathize with Saddam Hussein unleash their brutal force upon the world? Are they already in place? But here is the most important question: how will we deal with this? This administration has not addressed such retaliation. Sure we now have a new Homeland Security Department, but how effective is it in reality?

I am left to wonder just what era is more of a threat to us all. The Cold War Era or the Hot War Era? I think that the latter is more of a threat. Because did Nikita Khrushchev ever say, "Game is Over"?

Mary MacElveen
February 7, 2003