The INFANTry

Posted on by
Reply

Essay by Frank Sumera: Why the Word Infant is in Infantry

Language hides truth in plain sight, if only we have the courage to look. Take the word infantry. The root is infant, Latin for “unable to speak.” In ancient Rome, infans meant the child too young to speak up. So what does it say that our foot soldiers, the ones who die first and most often in war, are still called the infantry?

It says they’re the ones with the least power, the least say, and often, the least choice. Too young to vote, too poor to escape. Too indoctrinated to question orders. They’re not the sons of Trump or Netanyahu or any other billionaire or politician who beats the war drum while sipping champagne in their Manhattan penthouses or Tel Aviv strongholds. No. Their children will not be fighting in World War III. Yours will.

The military-industrial complex counts on this. It feeds on it. War needs the young. Not because they’re brave—though they are. Not because they’re strong—though they can be. But because they’re malleable. Because they can still be shaped. Because no one with billions of dollars and options ever chooses to send their own into the meat grinder. It’s always the working-class kid. The farm boy. The dropout. The immigrant. The infant in the system. Too “green” to know he’s being used. Too “patriotic” to question why.

In Gaza, in Ukraine, in Yemen, in Afghanistan, and soon perhaps in Taiwan or Iran—the same equation plays out. The rich provoke, the poor perish.

Let’s not be fooled by medals and flags. The generals talk about valor and glory, but they recruit with video game trailers and sign-on bonuses for college tuition they know most won’t live to use. They don’t tell you you’re an infant in this machine—silent, expendable, replaceable.

Trump’s kids will be playing golf. Netanyahu’s will be behind desks. But your kids will be on the front lines, with sand in their mouths and blood on their boots, wondering how they got there.

So yes, infantry comes from infant. Because that’s how the system sees them: not as men or women, but as tools. As bodies. As babies too naive to know they were born into a war they didn’t start—and one they’re not meant to survive.

– Frank Sumera

Paging Dr. Furtado – Angelina Jolie

Posted on by
13

[Hospital Therapy Wing — Late Afternoon]

Dr. Luka Kovač stands by the window, thumbing through a patient chart, concerned. He grabs the pager and sends a quick message.

Pager Message:

“Dr. Nelly Furtado to Therapy Room 3. Urgent consult.”

Moments later, Dr. Nelly Furtado strides in, a warm but firm presence. She nods at Luka, who breathes a sigh of relief.

Dr. Luka Kovač (low voice):
“Thanks for coming, Nelly. It’s Angelina Jolie. She’s… in a volatile mood. Talking about grand futures one minute, self-harm the next. If it were up to me…” (he smiles wryly) “…I’d endorse Shiloh for UN President already. But right now, Angelina needs focus, not despair.”

He steps closer to Angelina, who is sitting cross-legged on the therapy couch, fidgeting with a pen — too tightly.

Dr. Luka Kovač (gentle, steady):
“Ms. Jolie, listen to me carefully. I greenlight your ambitions — all of them. The world needs your heart, not your silence. But please… do not sever your aorta with a pen. Not today. Not ever.”

Angelina looks up at him, blinking, caught between a tear and a laugh. Dr. Nelly moves in smoothly to take over the session, her voice like a balm.

Paging Dr. Furtado – Lil Wayne

Posted on by
12

[Scene: County General Hospital – Neurology Department]

(The hospital intercom crackles.)

PA:
“Dr. Nelly Furtado to Neurology. Dr. Furtado to Neurology, please.”

(Dr. Luka Kovač, wearing his white coat and a concerned look, stands outside Room 402, reviewing a chart. Inside, Lil’ Wayne sits on the hospital bed, looking a bit disoriented but cracking a faint smile.)

Dr. Kovač (speaking into his pager):
“Nelly, I need you here. We’ve got a patient with acute memory loss — possible substance-related.”

(Moments later, Dr. Nelly Furtado, dressed sharply but casually, strides in with a clipboard.)

Dr. Furtado:
“What’s the story?”

Dr. Kovač:
“Lil’ Wayne. He’s been experiencing significant memory lapses. No trauma. Labs suggest neurochemical imbalance, possibly from drug abuse.”

Dr. Furtado (nodding thoughtfully):
“Yeah, this kind of memory loss is often the result of chronic drug toxicity. We’re looking at neurotransmitter depletion, oxidative stress… I’ll start him on high-dose B vitamins — B1, B6, B12 — to repair nerve damage.”

Lil’ Wayne:
“B vitamins? Bet. Anything to get my mind right.”

Dr. Kovač:
“Good. But he also needs to stay away from glyphosate-contaminated foods and microplastics. They’re neurotoxic.”

(Wayne raises an eyebrow.)

Dr. Kovač (gently but firmly):
“Stick to organic food whenever you can. No processed junk. No plastic bottled water if you can help it.”

Dr. Furtado:
“Let’s boost your recovery. I’ll write a list.”

(She jots quickly.)

  • Coconut oil — a tablespoon daily. Good for brain energy.
  • Black seed oil — natural antioxidant.
  • Turmeric — fights brain inflammation.
  • Ginkgo biloba — improves blood flow to the brain.
  • Lion’s Mane mushroom — promotes nerve growth.
  • Omega-3 supplements — DHA for brain repair.
  • Magnesium — calms the nervous system.
  • Fresh blueberries, walnuts, and leafy greens — brain foods.

Dr. Kovač:
“And no more lean, Wayne. No more purple drinks. You want your future — your music, your family — you have to choose life now.”

(Lil’ Wayne looks down, quiet for a moment, then nods.)

Lil’ Wayne:
“I got you, Doc. Real talk.”

(Dr. Furtado pats him on the shoulder.)

Dr. Furtado:
“One day at a time. We’ll get you back.”

(The two doctors exchange a hopeful glance as the scene fades.)