There's a part of me that thinks this is obvious: war is not the answer. I see anti-war sentimentality all over the web sites and news I read, so it feels obvious to write that. Of course, I don't watch TV, and I avoid the major corporate news outlets. The drums of war don't sound very loudly in my world.
Clearly it's not obvious. The propaganda machine is working in all the wrong ways.
Where's the debate? Who among our representatives are raising the questions that need to be asked? Are our congresspeople doing nothing, or is it just not patriotic to publish a dissenting view?
I'm not the marching type, but I might.
If I think about this too long, I'll get sick again.
My brother and I are different in many ways, but in our sense of humor, taste in musical instruments, and basic political beliefs we are very similar. Such is the case with our stance on the imminent war with Iraq. I recently attended the protests held in Washington, DC on January 18th, hosted by International A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism). I don't feel that our presence, or the presence of the thousands of others who attended (estimates ranged from 200-500,000 people), will change the final outcome of this situation. However, I do feel that it is important for the millions that do openly oppose this war to get out and voice their opinion. There are far too many people in power distorting facts and spreading fear through propaganda for us to stay silent. The rest of the world, a great majority of whom seem to be opposed to this war, need to see that there are indeed millions in this country that oppose war and support peace. In terms of many congresspeople not doing much, I think one of the worst decisions our "democratic" government made came on October 11th. The House, soon followed by the Senate, gave Bush unilateral power over the final call on invading Iraq. For me, that was the absolute guarantee for war. I feel there is an essential flaw in a government that would give such immense power to a complete imbecile. Of course, though he didn't win the popular vote (which, as we know, doesn't matter with the Electoral College), a large chunk of the American people voted to make this man the proverbial "most powerful man in the world." What a terrifying world we live in when a failed businessman and former drug addict with a C average is elected President. But I digress. It's less Bush himself and more the nefarious puppetmasters in his employ. The Bush Administration, through its systematic undermining of almost every environmental law in existence, damage to the economy, alliance with big business, brutish foreign policy, and incessant warmongering have shown me the true face of evil. I'm beginning to think that Bush, rather than Saddam, should've been Satan's bedfellow in the South Park movie.
Posted by Isaac at February 7, 2003 5:22 PM