R2

I’ve been asked recently why I’m for the war. It’s not an easy question for sure. I’ve always had a somewhat conservative head and liberal heart. This makes for firm a moderate, which is another way of saying wishy washy. But I’m solidly washy!

For example examine the abortion issue. Personally, I’m pro life, with a mind your own business caveat. Meaning if asked I would have strong feelings in favor of saving the baby. I firmly believe that it will work out no matter what, and we will have one more chance to save humanity. BUT--I have NO opinion on what a person does that has not asked my counsel (unless you’re under age then It’s a parent’s issue). I don’t need to force others to do my will.

Back to the war: I see the war in Iraq as a necessary evil. I’m not in favor of war, even as a retired Navy guy. I don’t want to see anyone hurt or killed. Again BUT—if it needs doing, it needs doing. Here is why I’m for the war. We where attacked. With or without provocation (seems without to me) this is unacceptable. My step-sister works in Manhattan damn it! I know everyone wants to look away, and deny that Iran, Iraq, or Saudi had anything to do with it, but wake the hell up people. Where did those terrorists come from? I know they fell out of the sky, but didn’t they grow up somewhere? Didn’t someone pay for the group that brought down the house?

Why Iraq? Why not Iran? Isn’t Afghanistan enough? No--this war cannot be won in Afghanistan. If we disrupt the poppy crops for any length of time our troops would start to suffer the same fate as every empire in history that has invaded that country. Once the troops are routed out, the warlords will let the Taliban back into the cities, because they don’t care about the cities. Why not Iran? Their lucky day I guess. Wonder if they will continue to act out for a President McCain? I wonder how much longer the Israelis will show restraint.

Again back to Iraq. By moving the fight to Iraq we have given Al Qaeda a place to fight where we can win. Like Dennis Miller says. “MWDs? Who cares Saddam just won the asshole of the week award. He started acting like a baby when we where not in the mood.” At least I was not in the mood. I’ve lost friends to that asshole in the first gulf war, some where British civilians I met in Kuwait. He was a bully! A worthless piece of carbon creating fear and hatred in the world that met his end at the hands of his own people. No one misses him.

Also, there is little doubt in my mind that some of the Al Qaeda fighters would be in America if they where not in Iraq. In short this move (war in Iraq) has given a face to a faceless opponent in a location of our choosing, and taken our civilians out of harm’s way. This is strategically brilliant!

Did Bush lie to us to start the war? Maybe…even probably but I see this as a Machiavellian move of necessity. This country would have balked otherwise, and I think more civilians would have died. Do I like being lied to…No…I’m I naïve enough not to realize someone is getting paid from the oil…No. Does it matter...No.

But we have lost 3000 soldiers so far you say. Yes, we have lost lives in this war, but they are the lives of people that each (as adults) put there right hand in the air and said let’s do this thing. Those in the world trade center didn’t make that commitment. They didn’t volunteer to risk their lives (except the fireman and police).

What about the 150,000 Iraqi people murdered by Bush? Well, as angry and hateful as Sean Penn may be toward the president (aren’t you supposed to love everyone?) I simply don’t believe this number (Mr. Penn does make a good point about refusing Cuba’s help during Katrina) anymore then I believe MWD intelligence wasn’t a lie (there really is a possibility that the MWD programs where exported to Syria). Even if this number is accurate the majority of civilian deaths have occurred from in-fighting. In short they are killing themselves, as they have for centuries. Put that on Bush’s tab if you want, but any way you look at it the war in Iraq spells American security. Believe it or not I don’t care.

All this makes me sad, but I just don’t see another logical way out. We can’t just pull out like we did in Viet Nam (which went well for the people of the south). We have already abandoned this fight once before (see first gulf war Bush fuck up for more details). Where do we go from here? No where! Obama talks a good game, but he will not find a way to pull out anytime soon without creating a horrible civil war (and possible invasion from Iran). I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think I am. We are in the war for awhile. We need to win. So quit your crying, and stand behind the flag. If we don’t win, life will be interesting for sure. Use your imagination, my head hurts when I think of losing this war.

The anti-war movement is being led by those who have lost loved ones in this war. That’s hard no matter how you frame it. I feel deeply sad for their sacrifice (they didn’t raise their right hand), I’m behind their grief process even if they have to burn flags to feel better they have earned the right. I love them for it.

It’s also being led by those who cannot leave the ‘60s behind, but this is not Viet Nam we are talking about. It didn’t start without cause. We are actually trying to win this war!!! It’s actually encouraging to watch these aging “non-violent” protesters fight the machine! Mostly because it’s funny to watch them try to bring back something they lost (their youth). I am happy to see many young people joining them. Wait—no I don’t see that at all. So likely this type of passive violence against other Americans will soon die out with their generation. “Shhhh…close your eyes…it will all be over soon”.

I’m sick of the boomers. As the saying goes “They could’ve changed the world, but choose cable TV and Wal-Mart instead”. Now they want a second shot? How? By undermining another war just because? No thanks--you blew it--now go retire. We only need to put up with one or two more of their crappy presidential candidates and it will all be over (I hope anyway).

Of course the best part of my stance is that it’s very similar to a paranoid delusion--in that it requires no proof--and is impossible to disprove (go ahead try). The leaps I make you either follow or you believe otherwise. It’s the “Am not” Vs “are too” defense.

One more thing; if spit flies out of your mouth, face contorted with hate, as you snarl “Am Not” or “Are too” take a fucking nap. Yes, Mr. Moore I’m talking to you.