"Horn, John" wrote:
>
> > From: John D. Giorgis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> > It is a curious position to criticize somebody for taking a
> > moral stance
> > today, simply because they did not take that stance yesterday and now
> > concede that they were wrong for not doing so.
>
> Isn't that what Gautam is doing? Saying that the anti-war protestors are
> being hypocritical for not caring about the Iraqi people 1, 2 or 5 years
> ago?
>
> I don't know where I stand on this issue, actually. Despite my better
> judgement, I find myself being more and more convinced (largely as a result
> of dialog on this list) that Saddam must go. But I'm not entirely
> comfortable with it. Starting a war against another country isn't something
> that has happened in the US in recent times (Gulf of Tonkin, not
> withstanding). It was easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys. The
> bad guys started the war; the good guys finished it (Vietnam not
> withstanding). I don't know, I'm not articulating very well.
How recent is recent? I mean, Gulf of Tonkin happened before I was born. I don't consider that "recent". :)
I think the last truly good war we got involved in was WWII, and, let's see, one country attacked us without warning, and the other really big one we ended up fighting declared war on *us*. So we didn't really start that one, now, did we?
I'd be a lot happier if Saddam just took a pistol and pointed it at his head and pulled the trigger, but that's not going to happen. I think it is inevitable that there be a war with Iraq, I'm just really wishing it weren't so. (The wishing isn't realistic, I know.)
I think most people wish there would not be a war, but, as you say, most people see it as inevitable unless Saddam is to be left in power to continue to do what he has been doing to his own people and others. If it is inevitable, let's get it over with and take advantage of all the advantages we have.
-- Ronn! :)
Almighty Ruler of the all, Whose Power extends to great and small, Who guides the stars with steadfast law, Whose least creation fills with awe, O grant thy mercy and thy grace, To those who venture into space.
(Robert A. Heinlein's added verse to the Navy Hymn)
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