: We are barbarians, aren't we?
Sometimes I think we haven't evolved at all.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not a evolutionist. But I believe in the growth of mankind. I mean, in the past 100 years, we have accomplished so very much. Flight, space travel, computers, submarines, automobiles (I might be a bit off by that), and all sorts of other wonderful advancements that have made our society so incredible.
But still, it always remains that while we can advance our minds to create wonderful gadgets and inventions, our problem-solving always seems to rely on our primal instincts that we've had ever since we were monkeys - violence and war.
By now, you've probably realized that I'm talking about the up-coming war with Iraq. If any of you have read any of my stories on fanfiction.net, you'll see that war is often times a concept that I deal with. But I try to always see both sides of war.
Yes, I believe war is necessary sometimes. It's an instrument that God has given us. But let's also remember that God gave us mouths. And those aren't just for eatting - we talk with them as well. There can be peaceful solutions to large, global problems if we can get both sides to sit down and talk about them. No finger-pointing, no superority-complexes. Just discussion.
I realize and understand the full breadth of Iraq's arsenal. I realize what has gone missing and what is being hidden. Gotcha. Check. But tell me this . . . why are we going to send our boys into a combat where there are going to biological weapons being used?
Let's make something very, very clear - people die during wars. People get killed. Iraqi's, Americans - both sides get casualties. How can that lead to solution? Killing people is not always the answer. Like I said, I believe in war - but only when all other options have failed. And how do I, Joe Q Public, know that all other options have failed?
I guess I'm jaded a bit. I grew-up watching "He-Man" and "Star Trek" and reading "X-Men." All of which promoted peace and only used violence when necessary (and for ratings, but let's not go there). Even "He-Man." ("I hate fighting. And every time I fight, I hope it is the last time." - He-Man, 'The Time Wheel')
Part of me wonders why exactly we are going to war. I understand the need for disarming Iraq. But I'm also seeing some bad things happening in North Korea - and right now, they're scaring me more than Saddam. But, hey, Saddam is not a good guy. You know things are bad when Osama Bin-Laden denounces someone.
I love my country. I do. I have always felt very honored and prevliged to live here. In some countries, I could get killed for writing this commentary. And if we do indeed go to war, then I'm not going stand here and hope we lose. I WILL support our troops, as I always have. But (and these are two different things) I will NOT support this war. Not when thousands - possibly millions - of people out there feel that war is not an option and they are going completely ignored.
If and when we go to war, though, let's remember our goals. Let's not go off on our little "let's nuke all arabs!" campaigns, as I know some people will. Let's remember that there are innocents over there that have as much say as being born in Iraq as we do being born in America.
One last thing - I'm not saying war isn't an option. I'm not totally against war. When we went to Afghanstan (sp), I supported that invasion. This war, I do not support. But what I believe - personally - is that there are other options here. Options that will make Bush seem less like a warmonger and more like a man that wants to do something (that is an entirely other debate). Then - when all other options are unavaliable - then, we will strike.
If we go to war, I will support our boys. I will not support this war, though. I can only hope we move in fast, strike quickly, and end it all before it all goes to shit.
Okay, I'm done.
Happy St. Patrick's Day, by the way.
~W~
Sometimes I think we haven't evolved at all.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not a evolutionist. But I believe in the growth of mankind. I mean, in the past 100 years, we have accomplished so very much. Flight, space travel, computers, submarines, automobiles (I might be a bit off by that), and all sorts of other wonderful advancements that have made our society so incredible.
But still, it always remains that while we can advance our minds to create wonderful gadgets and inventions, our problem-solving always seems to rely on our primal instincts that we've had ever since we were monkeys - violence and war.
By now, you've probably realized that I'm talking about the up-coming war with Iraq. If any of you have read any of my stories on fanfiction.net, you'll see that war is often times a concept that I deal with. But I try to always see both sides of war.
Yes, I believe war is necessary sometimes. It's an instrument that God has given us. But let's also remember that God gave us mouths. And those aren't just for eatting - we talk with them as well. There can be peaceful solutions to large, global problems if we can get both sides to sit down and talk about them. No finger-pointing, no superority-complexes. Just discussion.
I realize and understand the full breadth of Iraq's arsenal. I realize what has gone missing and what is being hidden. Gotcha. Check. But tell me this . . . why are we going to send our boys into a combat where there are going to biological weapons being used?
Let's make something very, very clear - people die during wars. People get killed. Iraqi's, Americans - both sides get casualties. How can that lead to solution? Killing people is not always the answer. Like I said, I believe in war - but only when all other options have failed. And how do I, Joe Q Public, know that all other options have failed?
I guess I'm jaded a bit. I grew-up watching "He-Man" and "Star Trek" and reading "X-Men." All of which promoted peace and only used violence when necessary (and for ratings, but let's not go there). Even "He-Man." ("I hate fighting. And every time I fight, I hope it is the last time." - He-Man, 'The Time Wheel')
Part of me wonders why exactly we are going to war. I understand the need for disarming Iraq. But I'm also seeing some bad things happening in North Korea - and right now, they're scaring me more than Saddam. But, hey, Saddam is not a good guy. You know things are bad when Osama Bin-Laden denounces someone.
I love my country. I do. I have always felt very honored and prevliged to live here. In some countries, I could get killed for writing this commentary. And if we do indeed go to war, then I'm not going stand here and hope we lose. I WILL support our troops, as I always have. But (and these are two different things) I will NOT support this war. Not when thousands - possibly millions - of people out there feel that war is not an option and they are going completely ignored.
If and when we go to war, though, let's remember our goals. Let's not go off on our little "let's nuke all arabs!" campaigns, as I know some people will. Let's remember that there are innocents over there that have as much say as being born in Iraq as we do being born in America.
One last thing - I'm not saying war isn't an option. I'm not totally against war. When we went to Afghanstan (sp), I supported that invasion. This war, I do not support. But what I believe - personally - is that there are other options here. Options that will make Bush seem less like a warmonger and more like a man that wants to do something (that is an entirely other debate). Then - when all other options are unavaliable - then, we will strike.
If we go to war, I will support our boys. I will not support this war, though. I can only hope we move in fast, strike quickly, and end it all before it all goes to shit.
Okay, I'm done.
Happy St. Patrick's Day, by the way.
~W~
Current Mood: 
contemplative
contemplativeCurrent Music: "The Forbidden Pool" - Howard Shore, "LOTR: TTT" soundtrack
