It was good day to be citizen: Why we marched.
Yes, as you may have suspected by now, I am a Liberal- and I'm proud of it. What bothers me about being a Liberal is the perception that we are clueless, pie-in-the-sky, blissfully-ignorant-of-reality types. Of course, there are some of us who fit that description. One of them marched in an anti-war demonstration in Houston this past weekend, and now is regaling us with his reasons for doing so. While I hate to take another Liberal to the woodshed, here goes:
1. Many people strongly disagree with the premise that pre-emptive military action can be justified. So, in other words, until someone sticks a knife in your ribs, there is no justification for taking his knife away? Even though you know this person has both a knife AND the disposition to use it??
2. Iraq does not appear to present an imminent threat to the United States. Iraq has cooperated with the United Nations inspectors, and they have not found any weapons of mass destruction. Perhaps you are getting your news from the Iraqi News Network? This flaming display of ignorance is barely worth dignifying.
3. No firm link between Iraq and al-Qaida has been demonstrated by the Bush administration.... Perhaps. Perhaps not. It depends on your point of view. Besides, I'm not aware that this has been painted as a war against Osama bin-Laden.
4. Many people are very concerned that military action will result in the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqi citizens. And inaction may also result in the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqi citizens. It's not like THAT hasn't happened before.
5. Furthermore, the possible deaths of untold thousands of U.S. military personnel is very worrisome to many people. Duh. Look, people in the military understand what their jobs entail. If told to go, they will go, and they will do their jobs well. The same fears were voiced before the first Gulf War, and the end result was somewhat different. Or have we forgotten that?
6. Many people believe that the inspectors should be given more time to search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. It seems clear that Iraq can be monitored and contained without war. Have we learned nothing, Mr. Chamberlain? Iraq has had 12 years to comply with the terms of the UN resolution that ended the first Gulf War? If they haven't complied in 12 years, what will allowing more time accomplish?
7. There is concern that a war with Iraq will destabilize the Middle East and lead to further violence. Also, there is concern that a war will lead to increased terrorism focused on the United States. Right; and there is also a legitimate fear that inaction will lead to the same result. Why should we not at least take action instead of waiting passively?
8. Many people believe that U.S. priorities are wrong and that we should focus more on the threat from al-Qaida and North Korea. Perhaps, but we have to start somewhere, don't we? How many armchairs statesman and generals do we need?
9. Many people are concerned that the United States might conduct this war without the support of many of its allies and the United Nations. Jeez, with friends like France....
10. Finally, the economic costs of a war with Iraq and the aftermath of that war seem to be enormous at a time when we are struggling economically at home. So, what is your proposal here? No war until the Dow hits 10,000??
While I certainly grant the author of this piece his Constitutionally-guaranteed right to hold whatever opinions he chooses, I cannot sit by while a fellow Liberal blithely ignores the reality of the situation. I still have some profoundly mixed feeling about going to war. Nonetheless, 12 years is long enough. Saddam Hussein has been allowed to play fast and loose with his commitments, and he will continue to do so as long as no consequences are presented.
Do I want to go to war? Do I want people to die? Of course not. Sometimes, though, one has to come to grips with reality that Evil is not deterred by talk and idle threats. Enough is enough.
Y'all can keep marching all you want. It's good exercise, if nothing else. Just don't be surprised when no one takes you seriously.
