The following is my stream of thought upon Bush's war on Iraq...my opinions
have been formed from extensive reading. I highly recommend you do the same. News is more than what sound clips
you hear from the president or his Sec. of State...the truth is more than what you read in your newspaper. I urge you,
if you haven't already done so, to read other materials...visit overseas websites for their news reporting, do some online
searches, learn more than what has been neatly wrapped up and presented to you. These are my opinions: thoughts and
conclusions based on my extensive reading. I may, at another time, as time permits, add more thoughts in additional
entries on this page...
February 12, 2005
My opinion:
Bush's war on Iraq is one of the most notorious and clear examples of American
imperialism in our history.
I say this not from the point of a view of a pacifist; I am not a pacifist.
On the contrary, I believe in fighting for the truth, and firmly believe a strong military is essential to the security of
our nation. But I believe the use of military force is justified only when in direct protection of the United States...and
even that may at times be pre-emptive--but rarely. Except in a state of immediate emergency and threat, Congress
should declare war...not one man as president. Iraq was, even if you were to believe what Bush's people have told you
they believed, not an immediate threat. Bush could have brought it before Congress to decide whether to declare a war.
Once done, however, people fall in step...afterall, they reason, what can we do now? Throw more money after bad....throw
away more American lives to "justify" all the American lives already lost...when does it stop?
Ironically, I believe Bush's war on Iraq, has made our country even more
vulnerable to attacks. Rather than spending those billions of dollars (and our American military men and women) on making
our country safe, he is using it to accomplish his own agenda...an agenda (and war) I believe from my reading, was planned
long before the tragic day of 9-11.
9-11 gave Bush a convenient excuse to do what he was going to do anyway.
Now, he had a plausible (or so he calculated) reason to give the American people...a reason he bargained would make most
Americans (and it did) give him full support as he sent our military off to be killed and maimed...and for what?
Why not spend those billions of dollars increasing the security of American citizens? Because, safety of America, is
not, I believe, this government's main concern. Oh, yes, they often use the words of "freedom," and "security," but
in reality, neither is a priority to them.
I do not believe Bush cares at all about helping others overseas....I believe
giving humanitarian help to people in need is one of the lowest concerns he has. Bush is no humanitarian in any sense
of the word. He only bestows American aid to foreign nations when the eyes of the world are watching him and he must
give a little money to receive international approval. Bush is a man who takes glee in state-sanctioned executions (regardless
of what you believe about capital punishment, one must be disgusted by such humor as he has expressed when someone is scheduled
for execution). A man who would joke about a condemned prisoner, is a man with a dark heart....and a man who does not
recognize all human life as valuable. Thus, I think it is easy for such a man to ignore the deaths of Americans, and
certainly the deaths of Iraqis. Bush does not care about human life. He may say the right words, but at heart,
human life means nothing to him. Thus, it follows, neither the deaths of our American men and women in the military,
and most certainly the deaths of Iraqis (or other foreigners), mean nothing to him. To him, human lives are expendable
if it enables him to complete his agenda. It's easy, in my opinion, for such a man to easily send our military into
combat...as they die...he sits back and gains the approval of his gang.
Based on his track record and all my reading, it appears to me he does
things only when it will benefit an agenda...his agenda...the agenda of his associates...and not the agenda he tells the American
people.
America should not be in the business of empire building. Neither,
should we under the guise of "spreading freedom" invade other nations. This is not America's prerogative. To do
so, as Bush does, is to operate imperialistically...and for Bush, as a dictator. American military should be strong
and only use action when America is directly threatened.
Hussein was no threat to America. He was not a part of al Qaeda.
He was not involved in 9-11. He, similarly, had no weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein committed atrocities.
True. However, there are many other leaders who murder and torture their citizens worldwide, so why did Bush attack
Iraq? Bush changes his story depending on the public criticism of the day--one day he claims our American men and women
are dying in Iraq because of 9-11; another day he claims it is to "free" the people of Iraq; another day he claims its because
of "intelligence" he was given that Hussein had weapons of mass destruction...perhaps another day he will offer yet another
reason to satisfy the questions. Bush gives us whatever "reason" he thinks will settle the questions that keep arising
as more and more Americans are killed...what are they dying for? Is it "freedom" as Bush says...or perhaps profit?
I believe the latter. My research has given me reason to believe the invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with the "good
reasons" Bush states. I believe, based on my research, that much of the "information" given to the American public to
gain their support of Bush's war in Iraq was fabricated, full truth was withheld, mere suggestions of who to blame for 9-11
was enough to get the people to rally behind anything Bush would do. He used your real concern about vindicating the
deaths of 9-11 to accomplish his pre-planned attack on Iraq (and will, I believe do the same to invade more Middle Eastern
nations).
Because of the lies I believe Bush told our nation, he has no credibility
with me whatsoever. Based on the tragic consequences, both to us, and to the Iraqi civilians, and Bush's inability to
provide us with any legitimate reason for having invaded another sovereign nation, I distrust anything he says...and that
especially applies when I see him yet again preparing to invade more countries. Thus, all must ask whose interests are
really served by Bush's pre-emptive attacks? It is certainly not in the interest of American civilians.
Similarly, Bush and his gang have used the excuse of 9-11 to implement
laws against our own citizens, statutes limiting freedoms, taking away due process, etc. and the American people sit back
and accept it. Most Americans are oblivious to the laws now existing that would have been unheard of even a few years
ago. It is, I believe, only a matter of time before our country begins to see how these laws can be used (mis-used)
by the powers that be. Once you give up civil rights, it is rare if not impossible to regain them.
Most Americans are so afraid, they believe any propaganda they are told.
Tell them, as Bush and others of his gang, that they are waging war to protect American freedom...and the people accept it.
Tell them The Patriot Act and their "Homeland Security" is to protect them from terrorists...and the gullible people accept
it. Fear is a an extremely valuable tool for a government to use to control its people. All free thought and logical
examination of the facts disappears from most people when you make them afraid...and it doesn't take much to control most
Americans who look to 9-11 and its horror and then in their fear of more terrorism on our soil accept whatever the president
tells them.
But I say, people look for the inconsistencies. Bush is full of them.
Look to how many times he changes his reasons for his war. If all you read is what appears in the US papers, you are
missing an enormous amount of full news coverage. Take a look at the foreign press...read in-depth books and magazines
from all perspectives...keep an open mind before you, too, blindly allow yourself to endorse what Bush does. Rather
than making you safer, his actions are enraging more and more people worldwide against us...his focus on fighting wars against
countries that pose no threat to America makes us more vulnerable here on our soil...if only all that money was being utilized
to truly make our country safer--right here--we would be far more secure. Instead, we have even more people, terrorists,
hating us...and we are extremely vulnerable, in my opinion, to more attacks similar to that of 9-11. We are more vulnerable
to terrorist because of Bush.
If he cared about bringing "freedom" (itself an unjustifiable reason to
invade other nations) he'd be looking toward countless other countries worldwide; if he cared about nuclear threats, again
there are many others with and developing their weapons that he seems to conveniently ignore; and if he cared about protecting
America from terrorists, he'd be far better off protecting this nation's soil rather than neglecting American civilians by
spending our resources in Middle Eastern countries. Have you considered all the other places we've invaded and the results?
We leave nations in chaos and virulent anti-Americanism...they soon are controlled by tyranny again...the murders within their
own countries continue...they become breeding grounds for terrorists...and all we have to show for it are dead American troops
and billions of dollars spent.
Nuclear threats from North Korea or China are ignored...Bush focuses on
countries he believes he can manipulate the American people into accepting as threats to the US, countries he knows our military
might can destroy, then proceeds with his military plans only against nations he can destroy by killing its civilians, destroying
its cities, and move in and take over. He will, in my opinion, use any excuse he thinks you will believe. Fear
is his easiest tool to manipulate the non-discriminating thinker...tell the American people that there lives are threatened
by someone else and they rally behind him oblivious to the real reasons for Bush's wars, and likewise oblivious to the heavy
toll Bush's wars will ultimately have on our nation as we become more and more hated worldwide.
Iran? Do they possess or are soon to possess nuclear weapons?
That is unknown. But what is known, is that many of us predicted Bush's imperialistic throes long before he invaded
Iraq; and thereafter the likelihood he would then use his "war on terrorism" as the reason to invade (or take military action
against) and conquer other nations rich in oil. He will, I predict, backtrack whenever public opinion begins to
sway...then he and his gang will come up with another excuse, cloaked as a legitimate reason, to persuade you to support more
and continued overseas military actions. The nations of his agenda were chosen long ago...his will, I believe, is to
invade and conquer for the empire America. He may not use those words, but his actions speak loud and clear.
Do you really want your sons and daughters to die in Iraq...Iran perhaps
next...do you want them to remain there for years to come. Bush has put our military men and women in a death zone...and
for what? Nothing. At least nothing that will benefit the majority of American civilians. Terrorists are
not deterred by bombs and tanks...they are fueled by it...Bush has disturbed a hornet's nest...and we will suffer yet more
as he makes them angrier and angrier.
As more Americans die, so too will thousands of civilian worldwide.
Have you ever examined the number of deaths of civilians--men, women and children just like us--living their daily lives--who
have died as Bush's collateral damage? What about Iran. All you hear about is Tehran being presented in war terms...but
Tehran and their country is a beautiful land of mountains, some of the best ski resorts in the world, art, culture and so
many beautiful children...not unlike life in your neighborhood. Will they be next on Bush's list? And, then what
country is next on his list?Perhaps Bush will say he will bring them "freedom," freedom like America has done for Iraq, Haiti,
El Salvador, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosavo, and Afghanistan. Looking at the horrible situation those nations are in, I believe
they do not want such a "freedom" that means in reality death, destruction, and ultimately a return to chaos and tyranny.
In Bush's "war on terrorism," he actually creates more "terrorists" (those willing to sacrifice their lives in order to kill
American civilians) by killing more and more other innocent civilians worldwide...who can not understand their anger
as they see their families slaughtered by America? This is a story that goes back for years and repeats itself...look
at the hatred our nation incurred because we supported the oppressive evil Shah of Iran..a man who murdered Iranians and lived
in luxury while Iranians suffered. Who can not understand why so much anger was generated toward us? Likewise,
when we bomb and kill thousands of civilians in Afghanistan, Iraq, or lend our support to evil dictators (when it suits our
agenda), we can't help but expect retaliation. Similarly, we are creating more and more dangerous enemies daily because
of the things we are doing against the people of Iraq, and whatever countries Bush may choose to attack next.
America has a history of imperialism. I was once a person who
rejected the use of the word "isolationist." I now fully understand it (thanks to Gore Vidal's work). It's not
a bad word. It means, yes, as I believe we must--we can help other nations with humanitarian needs...we can operate
as a world family...But we can do so without intervening in military conflicts worldwide that have no threat on America itself.
A president can come up with any number of "good reasons" to send our troops anywhere in the world...whether those reasons
are his real reasons or not...with them he can gain support. But the big question remains: Should America in its
self-righteousness, in its quest for control/protection of oil reserves, and at best in its concern for political oppression
(a far stretch based on the regimes we have supported worldwide), declare war on sovereign nations who have done nothing and
are incapable of doing anything militarily against us? For me, that answer is an emphatic No. The gaining of control
of land, oil, military bases, etc. never justifies war. Only a real direct threat to America justifies war. And
the American people must examine carefully the "reasons" given to them before endorsing a man such as Bush...do not believe
only what you are told...research, question, keep an open mind before coming to an opinion...or else, the blood of thousands
is, too, on your hands. Choose again. Even if you bought into the lies that were told you, choose again.
Is this president really acting in YOUR best-interests? If you once believed that answer was yes, do you still?
It is understandable that many good people in America believed the war on Iraq was for the best of reasons...but the revelations
we now know tell a different story.
Bush is engaged in empire building. America has no right to militarily
attack other nations posing no threat to us. Bush will not "win" his war, for all he is doing is creating more enemies
who hate us. Retaliation against us seems inevitable. Invading Iraq will not result in bringing freedom, liberty
and their favorite word "democracy," it will, in my onion, result in more needless American deaths-both our military...and
sadly American civilians. Bush is a man intent on waging a war against the world...sowing the wind for his agenda..with
us, the American people, reaping the whirlwind.
In my opinion, Bush is a liar, a manipulator, a man who cares nothing about
the true safety of our country or the lives of our military men and women...he cares nothing about the deaths of civilians
in other nations--people like you and me, with families, who die because of his wars. I believe Bush will go down as
one of the worst presidents this nation has ever had...sadly, the damage to us and to the world will have been done.
Our nation is suffering from his massive expenditures, our men and women are coming back in body bags while many others are
maimed for life, we are becoming an even greater target for terrorists, and while our economy suffers, our people fighting
and our yet more civilians on our soil may die...Bush enjoys the satisfaction of knowing he's accomplished a job well done
for those who pull his strings...those who got him elected...he is a useful idiot for those whose money controls this country...they
gain...we lose.
There are those I believe gain from Bush's imperialism. It's
not you or me. But Bush, I believe, knows who they are. Consider the circle of dollars for a war.
It begins with the Pentagon...to the corporations producing the machinery of war...to the banks...to the corporate leaders...
Take a look at Bush's biggest campaign contributors--look at the contributors to his inaugural party--the list of those who
support Bush...isn't it obvious why? Their war is profit--for them. Their war is victimization for us.
Invasion of other nations is the anti-thesis of what the principles our
republic is supposedly based on. We should not operate as an empire. It is the most un-patriotic, un-American
action our country routinely engages in. Ironically, those who oppose such unjustified aggression are often called by
such terms, when in actuality they are the true spokesmen for the best of American values...at least America-the way it used
to be.
What will save us? Perhaps an economic collapse will wake up the
American people...perhaps (and hopefully not) regrettably we will suffer becoming victims of more terrorism on our soil...perhaps
we will finally say enough, as more and more of our men and women die overseas or return with permanent injury...Yes, a war
is on. If the imperialists have their way, the war will always be on...somewhere and for some reason... And, while
we suffer the casualties, the winners walk away with profits that only perpetual war can provide them... Meanwhile,
American's safety is in greater in jeopardy than ever before both from physical attacks and from the destruction
of our rights.
Bush is not waging war on terrorists; he is waging war against us all.
