The Iraq War

Things I Learned from George W. Bush's War on Iraq:

• There is no such thing as "The Rule of Law" - The United Nations is now irrelevant.
• Might Makes Right - Shoot first, ask questions (or send inspectors) later.
• The End Justifies the Means - The Iraqi people are now rejoicing in their new freedom.  We will never know how many lives it would have cost to do without the war.
• Short Term Expediency = Security - Homeland Defense, The Patriot Act, Total Information Awareness.  I feel safe!
• Violence begets Violence - Recall that after America invaded, Iraqi troops disguised themselves as civilians to kill troops, several Iraqi civilians were later killed by American troops, etc. etc. etc.  I do not mean to imply that the American troops were at fault; under the circumstances of escalating violence I don't believe they had much choice.  My point is that despite the best of intentions Violence begets Violence.

Thanks George!

The human suffering, the death and the destruction, disgusts and sickens me; as it should every sane human.  It is axiomatic that war must be avoided if at all possible.

The Bush regime has not made even token gestures to avoid this war.  The Iraqi military is accused of war crimes, but isn't it a greater crime to have started war in the first place?

Despite all of my objections- the war has started.  People are dying!  CNN has a list of the coalition casualties here.  Most of them are younger than I.  That they have exhibited bravery, there is no question.  More than that; they have fought with dignity, honor, and respect for American beliefs and values.  It is the Bush regime, by starting this war, that has dishonored and ignored the core principles of a democratic and free society.

Advanced munitions and targeting have allowed unprecedented discretion for destructive forces.  When has a city been bombed and assaulted with as much firepower as Baghdad retained functional infrastructure for so long?  The coalition military has made it clear that their target is not the Iraqi people.  Even so, mistakes are made and the horror of war is still visited upon the innocent.

However, the pinpoint accuracy of this war is alarming in another way.  I am thinking of the Star Trek episode A Taste of Armageddon.  In this Episode, the Enterprise is called to the planet Eminiar VII on a diplomatic mission.  Eminiar VII has been at war with Vendikar for over 500 years.  Kirk asks how this can be since there is no radiation, no destruction...  It is possible due to the ultimate "smart" weapon systems: the war is fought entirely by computers (on both sides) simulating actual battle.  When a "hit" is recorded, people in the estimated kill zone have 24 hours to report to disintegration chambers.  It is the very civilized nature of the war that has let it continue for so long!  Kirk destroys the Eminiar war computer and forces the sides to negotiate or face the real horror of war.

If we are truly interested in making the world a better place for all of the Earth's inhabitants, then it is our duty to attract rather than promote.  The only thing this nation is showing now is that might makes right.  And Saddam already knows that.