Opinion : Barbara Ann

The first time I became aware of the song “Barbara Ann” was probably in 1990. Thanks to the golden microphone in the EIB Network and talent in on loan from God. Rush Limbaugh with half his brain tied behind his back (just to make it fair) used this song to signal updates on the Gulf War. The parody came out changing the words to “Bomb, bomb Iran.”’

At the time this happened, I was knee deep in newborns and toddlers. Any adult conversation at the time was welcomed, and that’s where I heard a great commentary on current events. I always tried to figure out what Rush’s take would be on any topic and get there before he did. It took a decade to even get close to that goal. 

The bumper music used during his shows always prepared you for the updates and topics. This week, when the topic of the possible bombing of Iran’s nuclear bases, came up, I started humming, “Barbara Ann,” and wishing again for Rush on the radio. 

Before Donald Trump came on the scene, Rush was probably the most hated conservative in America. Why? He could reason with callers and often won the hearts and minds while making sense of the news. He brought education to listeners and explained how the government works, how laws work, and whose responsibility is whose. Knowledge is dangerous.

Many times, we want to know who is supposed to fix whatever it is that we’re bent out of shape over. What Rush did was explain who the responsible politicians were. Sometimes they fixed things, and sometimes they didn't. He didn't care which side of the aisle they were on, if there was an issue, he was an equal opportunity offender when it came to calling them out, and I loved that. 

Concerning the Middle East wars, George Bush Sr. brought us into the Gulf War. The never ending conflicts over there are just that. I’m so tired of war. At the same time I’m with President Trump when he warned Iran to stop threatening us. We’ve heard the  ‘death to America’ chants for decades. When 9/11 happened we understood that they weren’t kidding.

President Obama told Syria at one point that he was ‘drawing a red line in the sand,” President Biden drew a red line for Israel just last year with Rafah, then they struck. Presidnet Bush Sr. declared that he wanted to be ‘kinder and gentler,” then started the wars in the Middle East. And I’m so over them.

However, when Trump made it clear from his golden elevator ride that “Iran will not have nuclear bombs,” before he was even president, Iran should have listened. Instead they enjoyed the years they had building up a bunker. 

The US sent $7.7 billion to Iran, that we know of over the Obama and Biden administrations. I wonder what it went toward. If I were a betting woman, I'd bet we just blew it all up.

So now we’re back to square one. I hope that Trump handles this war differently this time. I hope it’s a “one hit wonder.” We came, we saw, we took it out, we conquered.” And then we came home.

The downside? We’ll see how many attacks we have inside our own borders from Iran. Thanking again the Biden administration if or when they happen. It will probably happen, they’ve threatened us already. The problem is our homegrown useful idiots known now as "mostly peaceful protestors" will join in the “fun.”

Unfortunately, I believe that Trump had to do the dirty work for the world, we were the only ones with bombs large enough to do the job. I just hope that he says, “We’re done over here now.” He’s been clear with them that he was not trying to change the regime, but destroy the nukes. A true case of one and we're done.

Like I used to say a lot concerning another issue, “if they were smart…” I'd say to Iran now. “Iran, don’t say a word about America.” For years, we’ve told Israel to take whatever attacks came their way. We've told them to be a good little country and just take it. It didn't matter how many times they were bombed, how many times they were killed, we expected them to sit there and take it like an abused wife. We wouldn't do that after our own 9/11, yet they did. Last year after their babies were put in ovens, and families in their homes were killed, concert attendees were kidnapped and killed, it was silent in our media. In fact, half the population took up the side of the attackers. I feel like we saved up all of those years of not stepping in to help a peaceful country, finally.

If Iran were smart, it would take this chance to rebuild like it was 1978, before they adopted Islamic law. Your women would be free, unveiled, not murdered for some "wrong" and you'd have everyone in your society walking free. But you won't. 

So enjoy the new inground swimming pools we just dug for ya. Courtesy of the red, white and blue.