a differentiation primer
by Ed Werstein
I.
Specific:
World Trade Center Tower #1
United Airlines Flight 93
6,236 American soldiers have died in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Not Specific:
Targets could include bridges, tunnels and public buildings.
Attack methods could include planes, automobiles, trucks or cargo vans.
Our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan are paying off.
II.
Credible:
Religious zeal leads to hatred, violence and war.
There are differences in beliefs and desires among human beings.
Humans will resist being attacked and having their countries invaded.
Not Credible:
Your god is the one true god.
Everyone wants to live like an American.
Our soldiers will be welcomed and cheered wherever they go.
III.
Confirmed:
Religious fervor
Patriotic fever
War
Unconfirmed:
A god that cares
Hope for America
A chance for peace
Ed Werstein, Milwaukee, spent 22 years in manufacturing and union activity. He now works as an employment counselor helping job seekers. His sympathies lie with the poor and working people of the world. He advocates for peace and against corporate power. He is a proud member of the Hartford Avenue Poets. His poetry has appeared in Verse Wisconsin, Blue Collar Review, Mobius Magazine and a few other publications.
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