Some thoughts 1) We just come from such different sets of circumstance. Remember, we are all friends, here. We all want the same thing, a better, peaceful world. We disagree about how to get it. Some of us think those in the upper echelons of the US govt are concerned with freedom and justice for all. Others think they are concerned with money and power for themselves and their ilk. I would not be happy to think that anyone is too intimidated to voice their opinion. There is probably something to learn from examining 'the other side'. In matters as large and looming as war in the nuclear age, feelings are bound to be passionate. But please be civil, and attack the argument, not the person. Those on this list opposing the war are not anti-American, negative, or calling everything about the US evil. Those on this list backing the President are not warmongers intent on world domination. Our opinions only stand out from each other when there is diversity. There is only diversity when there is open discussion without intimidation and personal attacks. 2) Today millions of people all over the world are coming out to clearly say they do not want war. As many as half a million people came out in New York. Probably many more would have come out were it not for the scare tactics fed to the media. (The 'orange alert' about a possible dirty bomb being planted 'somewhere' is now called a mistake. An informant was deemed unreliable after receiving a lie-detector test. Funny that a lie detector test only takes a few minutes, but was not done until this warning was 2 days old. The emperor sheds another piece of clothing). In Spain: 2 million (reuters) In Rome: 1 million etc etc Peaceniks are not a minority.
One American said: I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive. The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. The spirit of monarchy is war and enlargement of domain: peace and moderation are the spirit of a republic.
