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mg

i don't have to make pretend the picture i'm in is totally clear

by mg at 09:58 AM on March 18, 2003

I’m really going to stop talking about Iraq now.

But, one more thing. Just a question really.

I’m guessing that there are a good number of people who’ve read this site for quite a while and know me reasonably well. For me this war isn't about religion, racism, oil, ignorance, or revenge.

I’m an agnostic. I live in one of the most ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the world; there are more nations represented here than in the United Nations (true). I don’t own a car, and don’t pay for the heat in my apartment. I may not know or read as much as some, but I don’t think anyone could say I’m ignorant about this. Sure, I’m still upset about 9/11 – during last night’s PBS special I had to change stations until I thought they’d stopped showing the towers burnings – but I know Iraq had little/nothing to do with what happened. I'm too old to be drafted, and I have no capital to worry about losing in the stock market or a terrorist attack, etc.

There is no selfish factor for my position on Iraq. Can you believe that?

I hope you people know me well enough to see that my desire for action in Iraq isn’t based on any irrational hatred, greed, or blood-thirst. I really do believe that America has a moral obligation to act toward affecting positive change in the world, especially when we had a major hand in causing the problem in the first place.

For me, this is all about ideology. Can you believe that?

And if you can believe that about me, can you believe that there are other people like me out there? Others that believe it is the duty of a world power to use its might to further democracy, support global economies, and protect not only our own and ally’s interests, but those of even our enemies?

And if you believe there are more people like me out there, can you believe that some of those people just might be the ones guiding American foreign policy?

I like to think of the United States as sort of like Ogre from the Revenge of the Nerds movies. Through most of the first two movies, Ogre was a member of the evil Alpha Beta’s, who made life impossible for the poor nerds by using his superior might to aid the fiendish goals of the Preppies. Yet, somewhere along the way, Ogre realized that he, too, was a nerd. He began to use his might for good. Oh, sure, the nerds didn’t quite believe he was really on their side at first, but he proved himself a true nerd in the end, and together they worked to defeat nerd-haters everywhere. Just like America.

Just because the United States has messy hair, is unshaven, and the majority of our dialogue through the first couple decades of the modern era have consisted of us yelling “Nerds!” in a nefarious way, doesn’t mean we really aren’t nerds ourselves, and don’t now want to use our power for good. Can you believe that?

comments (11)

I want to believe it, because (God help me), more and more, I think I actually back this war. The more I read about Hussien, the more I believe he must be stopped (and should have been stopped years ago).

by skits at March 18, 2003 10:12 AM


You aren't alone Skits. The latest poll has 7/10 Americans supporting Bush's proposal as of last night, most that change coming from Democrats switching from anti- to pro-war. Even ol' Bill Clinton himself seems to support military action, which isn't all the shocking considering at several points during his own presidency he'd planned (and unfortunately scrapped) serious action against Iraq.

by mg at March 18, 2003 10:28 AM


I believe what you say about your stance. I believe that it is true for some of the others that take your stance. I believe that most supporters have the idealistic belief that this will benefit everyone. I think I have my own idealistic beliefs. We aren't so different, you and I...

by Linz at March 18, 2003 11:29 AM


Well put MG.

by Ezy at March 18, 2003 12:07 PM


"Can you believe that there are other people like me out there? Others that believe in the duty of a world power to use its might to further democracy, support global economies, and protect not only our own and ally's interests, but those of even our enemies?"

MG, I entirely believe you. I do not believe our government however. If that was genuinely our motivation we would have taken so many other actions--and right now we'd be in N. Korea, not Iraq. That theory just doesn't hold up under any scrutiny to me. It is what I'd like to believe about the U.S. government, it's just not what it is possible for me to believe.

by jadedju at March 18, 2003 12:12 PM


N. Korea is a very different situation. The American government has a very stubborn stance when it comes to Communists. If we'd have normalized relations with Cuba 30 years ago, I'm sure they'd have developed a flourishing Democratic, and exceeded any economy in the Gulf Region. We should have dealt with N. Korea when they wanted to negotiate. But, there will NEVER be military action against them because they have nuclear weapons. It's been said a million times before, but nukes really are a defensive weapon rather than an offensive one. They will never use their nukes because they know it weill meant their destruction, and we will never attack N. Korea because the threat of their nuclear and reasonably sophisticated rocket programs. We wont even threaten them, as we have done with Iraq. Still, something needs to be done. We should be negotiating with them, especially considering they came to the table. The U.S. government is just very stubborn in regards to communists, no matter which party is in power, or the situation would have gotten to this point. North Korea is definitively providing aid to terrorist states, and that shouldn't be allowed. But, the fact we should be doing something about N. Korea, doesn't mean we shouldn't also be doing something about Iraq.

by mg at March 18, 2003 12:35 PM


"The more I read about Hussien, the more I believe he must be stopped"

ABSOLUTELY!

well, the price ain't worth it though!

I mean, kill saddam. THAT will be a great step forward for humanity.
But that's what the UN are here for, remember? To make sure he doesen't have the chance to do what's he's been doing for so long. Of course, destroying a great part of iraq will have the same effect, and many many more corpses.
Not worth it.

MG, I believe you DO have the best intentions. I just don't think your government does.

by necropethamenos at March 18, 2003 2:33 PM


Michele found some anti-war clipart and it pissed her off (surprise surprise) and is asking folks to Photoshop it up. I'm not talking about the war anymore for a while, but I still wanted to participate. So, I had my protestors rallying about something I feel even more strongly about.

by mg at March 18, 2003 3:40 PM


Ideology is just that. It's Ideal.

by LOCKHEED at March 19, 2003 4:08 PM


Ok, heres the thing, I know that evil exists, and I know that some of that evil exists in the form of Saddam. What I am leery of is the Ahab-like obsession of our current President with the man. There may one day be a chance to look back and say that all this bombing and such was for the good, but right now this daoe not seem to be a just war. I'm no pacifist here, I am just struggling with the idea that this action is less about prevention and more about obsession, and that is a little disturbing. Thats all.

by Iz at March 22, 2003 9:47 AM


2,ooo is about oil. what will it be like when it's about water. think aboutit, oil comes by tankers, why not water? next will it be south america?

by jeff at July 22, 2003 4:57 PM