Political Rant 2

I've been opposed to the war in Iraq from the beginning. My belief is that if we are the world's superpower, if we are really as superior to the rest of the world as we say we are, we should prove it by being the first country on the earth to develop a means for resolving conflict without violence. We should be able to address violence visited upon us with a more sophisticated response than more violence. If we are unable to do that, then we are not the supreme power we claim to be; in which case we don't have the authority to marshall half way around the globe and brutalize another nation into our vision of democracy. They were slow and inefficient, but the UN sanctions on Iraq were having an impact. Sadam's slaughter of Iraqi nationals had ended nearly two decades prior to our invasion, the weapons inspectors were finding no weapons of mass destruction, and there was no direct link between Iraq and the 9/11 attacks.

We have no clear-cut moral authority upon which to wage this war. In fact, we have no vague moral authority upon which to wage it either.

Having said all of that, I also have believed that to abandon Iraq after ripping it to pieces was even more amoral than the war itself. We destroyed that country, we have a duty to restore it to order and help the Iraqi people decide for themselves how they should be governed.

But the recent violence has changed my view. I now believe our continued presence in Iraq can bring no good. We must accept not only defeat, but also the reponsibility for such a reckless, ill-run war. Yes, I mean all of us. We all should hang our heads in shame for sending innocent American youths to the Middle East to wage war against Iraqi youth for no legitimate reason. This is a war that will exact its price from the American people for generations to come; and we will pay a dearer price than any we've paid for Viet Nam. This time we should have known better.


Even those of us who opposed the war, but allowed it to progress share in the shame. I believe that the very least we can do as patriotic, American citizens is to write our congressmen and senators, and even Mr. George W. Bush, and demand the immediate withdrawal of troops. Further, I believe it is incumbent on the United States citizenry to demand the immediate expulsion of Mr. Bush and his "government." And the first order of business for the new administration must be to beg -- yes, I said BEG -- the world community to help us restore order in Iraq. And then to swear a solemn blood oath to never wage another war of agression. EVER. Only then can we reclaim our status as the world's super power.

Exactly how much more evidence do we need that the current administration is not only corrupt and incompetent, but that is also probably the most destructive administration in American history? Exactly what has to happen for our sleeping citizenry to take real action?