The War in Iraq (kinda sorta rant)

Okay, with everything that's been going on in the last 24 hours I've been slowly tied up into a bundle of knots. Right now I'm sitting on the fence, undecided if this whole thing is good or bad.

On one hand, I abhor killing and definitely don't like the thought of war. When I heard earlier that there had been some civilian casualties in the bombing I was shocked and horrified at the loss of life. Then hearing that they were targeting sites where the Iraqi leadership was supposedly holed up, I got chills. They've even said that the bunker where Saddam's wife, who probably had nothing to do with this, has been bonbed. My jaw hit the floor.

*sigh*

On the other hand, part of me understands that diplomacy hasn't worked. That they gave them plenty of time to comply with the UN's orders and that this is a last resort action. Althought they haven't gotten full support for the UN, the US has gotten military support from the UK and from Australia and Turkey has already said that they can use their airspace. So obviously, somewhere, that I can't see right now, this is right to some people.

So.. I say, have your war if you must. But know when to stop before it gets out of hand. I'll pray for peace but I'll steel myself when I watch the news.

Aurora

I couldn't respond to this last night because I was too tired, but I kind of agree with MJ.

I absolutely, positively HATE war, but, hey, our government ignored the problem of terrorism for years because they thought we were untouchable. Well, guess what, they were wrong. Unfortunately, it took something as tragic as 9/11 to prove that.

A lot of us in NY, including myself, really thought the world was coming to an end on September 11. I was in shock for about 2 or 3 days, waiting for "the other shoe to drop." Even now, 18 months later, I still break down in tears knowing how many innocent people lost their lives that day. And none of those people ever did anything to deserve what happened to them.

So, I'm sorry to say, but despite how much I abhor war and wanton destruction, I think this is something that needs to be done, not just for our safety, but for the safety of generations of come. I'd hate to think where we'd all be now if the U.S. had decided to keep our backs turned on the world after Pearl Harbor. "Evil prevails because good people do nothing." Maybe if God decided to take a personal hand in averting terrorism from diisrupting our way of life, we wouldn't have to resort to war to protect ourselves. But He gave us ALL free will, and unfortunately He gave it to men who would do evil onto us as well. I feel that if we do nothing, then they're just going to keep attacking us until we're all dead.

I'm sorry if some of you think less of me now as a result of this, but it's how I feel. You're all entitled to your own opinions as I am of mine. I don't think any of us are right or wrong in how we feel. It's what makes us different from one another. And like all of you, I will be praying for a quick and peaceful resolution to this war on terror, before it costs us more than we can imagine.

Damon

Sorry I'm late on this reply.

I agree with a little bite of what everyone here has said. That said, here is my point of view (stricktly) my point of view.

First this has nothing to do (in my opinion) with the war on terror. I don't really think Saddam had anything but a passing contact with Osama. From what I've heard Osama doesn't like Saddam because Iraqi is a "secular" state. And we all know that Osama's dream state is a Taliban type world. Unlike Matt, I don't really think this has very much to do with oil. (Just another reason why like Gore said we should develop other forms of renewable fuel i.e., corn, solar, wind etc.) And let's face it -- it's not for the poor people of Iraq that we're doing this. Yes they are ruled by a terrible and vile man, but they've been suffuring under his rule for what 30 years! If we really cared so much about repressed and abused people, why have we turned our backs on various countries in Africa. I guess a middle eastern life is much more important and valuable then Africian?

No, I think that the main reason that we are at war is because the war on terror has kind of pettered out. We haven't gotten Osama, we're constantly at "high" alert. And funny how all the talk of invading Iraq really started heating up last September. (Hummm....just a few months before the November elections?) All I can say is that they better find some massive evidence of "weapons of mass destruction" or we're going to look like the biggest jack a*** in the world.

If we win this war, (not a sure thing, just ask the Vietnam vets) we better next go to the Isreal and Palestinian problem and finally settle it. I mean really settle it, fairly! I'm sorry to say that even I can see that all administrations, democrates and republicians, have given Isreal undo support. Yes the Palestinian's have encouraged terror attacks. But I'm sorry the Isrealies aren't much better. Unfortunately, when you are at war with someone you think is evil, eventually you start act just like them. The Isrealies take advantage of every opportunity, with their settlers contiuning to settle in occupied lands even when they're trying to work out a truce or start the peace talks once again. If the Americans were just seen to not favor the Jewish people as much as we have in the past and helped to broker a deal that would get the Palestinians a fair state, that would probably get ride of half the woodbe terrorist in training. No not all of them, their will still be some that will find any reason to hate us, but a few less is always a good thing.

That said and my rant complete. Although I think the war was started for completely stupid reasons, I will support our troops and hope and pray that they all come home safe and healthy.

Later Leapers!

--Anna--