With war looming on the horizon, I've been avoiding the media coverage. For some reason, this time around seems different. I remember the feeling I had before the Gulf War and I don't feel the same now. To attempt understanding the overlapping conspiracy theories surrounding this war is as ludicrous as the people spouting them. I could never be a supporter of George W. I don't think he's intelligent or responsible enough to wield the power he does (hey-who is?). But at the same time, some antiwar people just sound like idiots.
Today I read something quite alarming. Someone voiced an opinion opposing a war with Iraq and nearly defended Saddam Hussein like he was a innocent bystander. I question a lot of things about this impending war. Is it to secure the oil (yeah - probably a big part of the equation)? Is it to stimulate the economy [probably - think Kinky Sex (Makes the World Go Around)]? But some people rushing to oppose the US practically jump on the bandwagon of a vicious ruler.
Ever heard of the Kurds? How about chemical weapons against neighboring Iran? Hundreds of thousands died in a meaningless war that nealy destroyed both countries. That was no jihad or defense against western imperialism. That wasn't a defiant stance against a non-Muslim nation. It was cold, brutal, calculated attrition. Guess what, it's the same guy in charge of Iraq today.
Why is it that this protester cites the west is wrong for pushing the Christian religion on foreign countries and defends a country like Iraq with the same breath? I guess someone forcing you to bow to Mecca five times a day is better Sunday school? Btw, do you really think any leader would give a rat's ass about religion if it didn't buy him a vote or keep the peasants in line?
To tell you the truth, I feel like I have to weigh all my belief that this a scheming political war against the notion that one crazy ass madman is developing a nuke. I'd hate to see the US bomb the hell out of a country just for oil but chemical weapons or nukes in the hand of a religious psychopath isn't any better. I guess genocide is acceptable if Israel's on the recieving end.
Posted by lare at February 03, 2003 11:50 PMYes, it would seem genocide IS acceptable so long as it's Israel to the rest of the Middle East. If Israel were removed from the equation, there would likely be peace in the region (that is until they found some other ethnic group infringing on their respective territories).
Our support of Israel is Osama's main gripe. It's not hard to see that anti-semitism isn't an American invention but I think the "6 jews that run the world" conspiracy is a little presumptious. The money's spread too far for that. In my opinion, the American people have as much to fear from (primarily US) global corporations as the rest of the world does.
One thing's for sure, we're not liked and it's more than just on "principle" or religious fanaticism; our FOREIGN POLICY put us in this position (along with the generic "hate us because we're rich and beautiful" side of things).
If nothing else comes of this I only hope that some small part of the American public finally comes to terms with the fact that christianity is a religious minority and hopefully digest the implications of "their god" not being god to the other 75% of the world and what that all means but they probably won't. Whichever team Jesus is on will win, etc etc.
Posted by: puppet on February 4, 2003 03:32 AMYou are both correct. As long as the US continues to support Israel we condone terrorism. Saddam, Osama, and Bush are all "religious psychopaths". The thing is George W comes off as more of a buffoon then his enemies do (y'know the "evildoers"). Scarey and sad.
Posted by: ron on February 4, 2003 10:00 AMgoddamn axis of evil!btw, Ron- sorry if I came off all republican in the last entry...i was pretty ticket about the " god's retribution" thing. I tend to wonder how much of what is "said" is actually true. We'll never know, I guess.
Posted by: freddie on February 4, 2003 03:08 PMI have a friend who is THE stereotypical conspiracy nut. Black helicopters, pharmaceutical companies run the world, the Illuminati are plotting society's demise, we're all sheep, government is bad, New World Order, ad nauseum.
Coupled with the fact that he's one of those types of people who can never admit he might be wrong. He shoves the theories down everybody's throat and demands they agree and even when you do, he can't stop telling you how bought and sold you are.
I finally realized the only way to handle him was to always say, "So, what are you going to do about it?".
I never stop thinking about just exactly how screwed up everything might actually be for one day, but I at least realize that if you can't do anything about it you're only making yourself miserable for no reason. There will NEVER be a "sane alternative" until people realize the enemy is YOU (and me).
We'd all rather fight than change.
Change is the unknown and we fear that.
(besides, it's more convenient to drive a monster vehicle than it is to walk anywhere)
i heard similar comments from a student here at work. she's a co-worker, actually, since she's also a tutor. she actually defended terrorism as an act of desperation and views the iraqi bad-boy in terms close to those lare was talking about. i wanted to slap her. but, since that would get me incarcerated, i expressed my shock and disgust in the only way i currently know how...i demanded that she drop and do push-ups until I got tired. she told me to fuck myself...
anyway, the only real reasons that i oppose war and the scary rationale folks use to justify it, are these; i made some good friends while i was in the army. some of them may never make it out of the desert alive. some of my younger friends may get a draft notice, if rangel gets his way (that dude trying to reinstitute a draft law). also, i know the indoctrination process the military uses. it's the most psychologically damaging thing a person can go through--voluntarily or involuntarily. learning to take a life changes people (especially when that learning is reinforced in some fashion everyday). these are personal reasons, yes. and if george dub-ya had bothered to perform the duties he dodged while in the air national guard, he might be able to relate.
btw, i refuse to make apologies for all comments i make. they are my opinions and i will not shirk the responsibilities i assume when i make them. if i upset or hurt ANYONE...tough shit.
Posted by: Johnny Napalm on February 7, 2003 02:09 PMI'd tell you to fuck yourself too.
Posted by: Linda on February 7, 2003 04:42 PM