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March 20, 2003
A note to my brother...
My brother is being very vocal about the War on Iraq.
Sounds like you have the following points:
1. You are patriotic
2. You exercise right to criticize, and that doesn't contradict #1
3. You question how this action "protects us"
4. Saddam may have WMD
5. Iraq or would-be Terrorists are unlikely to try and get WMD into the US
6. Federal Gov't should do other things
7. Federal Gov't should devote attention to N Korea
8. Support Troops
9. US is behaving "imperialistically"
10. We are taking over the 2nd largest oil reserve for profit
Let me respond:
#1,2,4,6,7,8: Good, in the end, we agree on important parts
3. Is it possible that our government has more information than you about the magnitude of threat that Saddam Hussein poses to the United States, its citizens, and/or its allies?
5. Clearly desperate people attempt desperate measures, I wouldn't be so sure about this. Religous zealotry, Oppression, and the instinctive urge to protect one's own are powerful motivators that would enable people to take extraordinary risks.
9,10. Iraq is now Iraq is number 3 behind Canada (now estimated at 180 billion barrels) due to the Canadian Oil Sands. Given our relationships with the top 10 largest oil reserves, I find it hard to believe that OIL is the motivator for this action. I also find it hard to believe that we are interested in colonizing Iraq.
Don't get me wrong, I am not pro-war. It sickens me that I have close friends that are likely to be in harms way right now. In fact, one of my friends may be about to become a first time father, and is deployed to the middle east.
But the zeal with which you choose to criticize and judge the competence of our leadership from your vast life-experience(sarcasm) confuses me. You act as if GWB and his advisors are members of the "frat" across the street and can't possibly understand the ramifications of their actions the way you can.
While these people may not be the most eloquent or polished personalities, I would encourage you to not underestimated their own experience and skill set.
Do you really believe that our government plays with our military (and, as such, our fellow citizens) as if they were pieces of a life size Risk(tm) game (and not people)?
Posted by KnipSter at March 20, 2003 03:45 PM
Comments
I am "so not qualified" to comment on your blog about the war but I guess I'm entitled to my humble opinion. I am impressed with your comments to your brother and sometimes wonder myself if the politicians make decisions as if playing a RISK game. In our democracy there are so many checks and balances, I hope when these decisions are made, at least, "they" not just one man, are based on sound judgments. (I've had reservations about GWB as a leader but hope to God the people behind him are smarter) Now that the decision is made, we got to support those boys who are fighting for us bottom line. (I hope the motive is "for us...")
Posted by: Auntie Donna at March 25, 2003 12:40 PM
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