Heart of a Punk Soul of a Rasta

It's WAR

It's March 2011 and I've just read in the news, how England has lost its identity, how England's identity has gone astray. They say we don't believe in anything anymore not the flag, the bible or the throne. They say our identity has been swamped washed away or just left on a bus somewhere. But this is not how I see it, this is not how it is. Our national identity is as redolent as ever it shines across the globe. The English identity is WAR, and WAR is who we are.

WAR is our benevolent gift to the world. WAR is our national pastime. But we don't like to play at home anymore we'd much rather play away. Agincourt, Waterloo, Trafalgar, The Somme; The Falklands or anywhere, you see WAR is how we know "you others", WAR is what we are.

We don't discriminate though come one come all, every colour creed and hue can get involved it's only a game after all. Poor nations, rich nations, sovereign nations we'll put you all to the sword there's no natural order to our WAR we'll have you one and all. Those with WMD's, those without, former allies former friends, we'll leave no stone unturned to get ourselves a WAR. Dictators, despots, democratically elected there's not ballot box bar in play, we're "protecting our national interest abroad" we're doing what we do.

We'll quote Thomas Aquinas and wring our hands a bit, we'll hide behind UN mandates we'll say "it's the right thing to do". We'll say "we're keeping the peace not waging WAR!" so shut up or you'll be next. This is the WAR to end all WARS, this is a justifiable WAR, this is a winnable WAR, this is a righteous WAR, this is a WAR to keep us safe. But when WAR is who we are, and when WAR is what we love, a WAR just ends up being a WAR when all the platitudes have been said.

Still everyone in England gets involved when WAR is a constant state. The fascist salutes and waves his flag, the liberal bleats and blubbers, the socialist says it's all about the money and the peace monger takes to the street. But WAR is our primary export, WAR is our gross national product, WAR is what we're all about and a rematch is what is best. Flanders, Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq and now its back to Torbruk. WAR is our passion and our purpose, doesn't it make you proud?

But what shall I do, English from the cradle to the grave, with my disappointment and disgust. Will I get angry and aggressive and descend on London Town to knock off a coppers helmet or kick over a waste paper bin. No that's not for me I'll do the English thing I'll draw my window curtains and turn my back on your WAR. I'll press my nose firmly against the wall and select myself a GOD. Then I'll pray for the innocents, for what they're about to receive, and for the fallen and for those all those left to grieve. Then I'll speak to the devil. Us English know him by name. I'll say "devil take your WAR MAKERS, and devil take your WAR!"

Done & Dusted E.S.