Sorry about killing all of you

The massacre at My Lai in March 1968 has often been mentioned in these ramblings. It stands as an obvious example of how barbarity knows no bounds, is not kept at bay by abstract ideas of civilization and religion. American soldiers swept into the Vietnamese hamlet and destroyed everything and everyone; men, women, old people and children - even livestock - all were treated as "the enemy." For good measure "the enemy" was demoralized as much as possible before it was extinguished, thus rape before death in the case of the women, and better still, the murder of her children before the rape, before the death. That'll teach 'em to be the enemy! Oh, it was an excellent tactic, the American military was doing its best to keep Red China from taking over the world. Massacres, rapes and toddler beheadings are all in a days work when fighting these high-concept mega wars.

More than 40 years have passed since the carnivalesque slaughter so it is somewhat surprising that only yesterday William Calley, the only soldier actually charged and convicted (he served 3 years of house arrest) of anything related to My Lai, told a gathering of the Kiwanis Club in Columbus, Georgia that he was sorry for what had happened. It's the first time he's allowed this difficult admission to pass his lips. For years, in rare interviews, he has emphasized his role as that of a simple, duty-abiding soldier, "I was merely following orders," he would always say. Of course, he still says this but in his old age, as thoughts of his eternal life begin imposing themselves in his day-to-day, he's probably wondering, "hmm, will Saint Peter give me a tough time when he remembers I bayoneted that young woman after I raped her? I wonder if that'll work against me taking my seat beside the lord and savior?"

And how powerful is the idea of "sorry" even when it's apologizing for the annihilation of a village? "Oops, killed a community of folks over there. Sorry 'bout that 'n all." Apparently the old soldier, the old fighter, was given a standing ovation at both the beginning and the end of his speech. The audience was so impressed, so deeply honored that he would apologize in their meager presence that they jumped to their feet: "Thank you so much Lieutenant Calley! We'll never forget your valiant apology for events 40 years prior!" And how immensely manly William Calley is! Not only did he merely follow orders when helping guide his platoon of simpleminded barbarians against the villagers, but years later, he's got the massive testicles to say "sorry" for what has happened. That's a real man; that's a real American hero. It's a lesson to all men involved in contemporary violence: If you just wait out the storm, let some years decompose the decapitated corpses, then you too may have your chance to apologize for your actions. And you will be applauded for your manly bravery, your unflinching commitment to your principles and ideals. Praise you William Calley! Jesus awaits you in heaven, He can't wait to listen to your tales of warrior heroics. Just be sure to leave the nasty bits out!

Note: Lieutenant William Calley did not kill the children pictured.