Choice

Don't worry, B&E readers. I'm not about to write about abortion, not that I feel the need to avoid the subject or anything. But no, I'm talking about the concept of choice.

Twice in the past few days I've heard clips of President Obama speaking, and on two separate subjects he talked about how something wasn't a choice but a necessity.

The first time I heard this, he was discussing the war in Afghanistan. "Remember, this was not a war of choice, but a war of necessity." (I'm paraphrasing quotes from memory.)

The second time had to do with the economic meltdown. I can't remember the specific context because I wasn't really paying attention until I heard the phrase, "We had to take the steps we did. It was not a choice but a necessity." I think he was speaking in response to how the deficit is worse than originally projected.

Jack Bauer, in the TV show 24, during particularly intense moments, especially if he's arguing with someone who doesn't want to be as ruthless as Jack does, will often growl, "You don't have a choice!"

I hate this. There's always a choice. Maybe you don't much care for the options you have, but yes, there's always a choice. You can choose to do nothing. You can choose to take action. You can choose from a variety of actions.

Even something as simple as eating... Eating is, I'm sure we would all agree, a necessity. But I still have a choice about whether or not I'm going to eat. If I don't, I'll die, so I choose to fucking eat.

Necessity is a point of view. What you deem necessary informs your choices. But regardless, it's a goddamned choice. Bailing out the banks is a choice. Creating a stimulus package is a choice. Going after al-Qaeda, bin Laden, and the Taliban is a choice. Continuing to fight in Afghanistan is another choice.

All of those actions take difficult choices. I can accept that. I don't even disagree with all of the choices you made above, Mr. President. But don't tell me you didn't have a choice at all.

There's always a choice.