March 19, 2003
War, War, War
Despite everything else, I don't feel very alarmed at the horrible things that could happen to us as a result of the war. I just don't think anything horrible will happen inside the states. I think fear is being whipped up to build more war support. What I am is stunned at all the doublespeak and inconsistencies that have happened as a result of this, and how they aren't being just slammed in the press. I'll name a couple... I might come back and edit this entry to name more as I find them.
- We are reassured that our military is mighty and that the war will be over quickly, in weeks if not days, because Iraq's army is less than half as powerful as it was in 1991. Yet the might of Iraq's WMD program is the rationale for invading. (reference: Robin Cook's speech)
- We are told that if we don't act, then terrorist attacks will be more likely in the future. Then we are told that since we are attacking, the terror alert is raised to Orange and that terrorist attacks are more likely. (By "Iraqi operatives"?!?!)
- We are told that Iraq has WMD. Blix says today that he found no evidence of WMD, just materials unaccounted for.
- We are told that Iraq has sponsored the training of al qaeda. This had never actually been officially alleged before Bush's speech as far as I know.
- Bush reassures Iraq's army that just because they're in an Army doesn't mean they actually have to follow orders. Couldn't help but imagine leaders of other countries saying that to our Army.
- Bush over and over again refers to 9/11 in reference to Iraq when there is no link. 46% of the nation (reference, poll cited from salon.com) believes that Iraq was behind the hijackings. The administration is deliberately encouraging that impression, when the truth is that none of the hijackers were Iraqi.
- Bush has told the U.N. he would accept disarmament in lieu of regime change, when in his speeches he equates disarmament with regime change.
- Bush has alleged Iraq has WMD without offering proof, and threatened invasion from day one from Iraq's inability to prove the unproven allegation wrong.
It is so hard to see past all that crap. So hard that I don't feel like I've even solidified my view of whether invading Iraq at some point is warranted. I also feel cynical about the U.N. though - I think the principles of the various nations are much much murkier than they are presenting them to be. I can't overlook that it is convenient for them to act indigant of the U.S., as much as it is correct.
In all this, the nation I feel like I can respect the most (of the ones I know much about) is Canada. Canada isn't making a big dramatic display out of either their patriotism or their indignance. They merely offered a compromise measure that made the most sense out of anyone's, and when it failed, they released a brief statement simply saying they would not participate in the war and never intended to without a full U.N. mandate. It just feels genuine to me, and without posturing. O Canada. Are you the only civilized nation with integrity?
I have been blogging so much about War, as has everyone else. I'm glued to the "Where Is Raed?" weblog of the Iraqi citizen. But I do have so many other thoughts about other subjects as well. I hope to be able to delve down to them soon.
The one thing I am excited about is that I am firmly convinced now that blogging is so, so, so important. I think it's the only thing that can lead to us being saved from the lack of free press. Our corporate press is not free press anymore, not even close. But through blogging and good linking technologies, I believe we really can actually have a fully free press. And... I think the administration is underestimating it. They got a hint of it with Trent Lott (for those who don't know, that would have been overlooked if not for bloggers). Maybe they'll get a huge slap in the face due to something that gets out, unreported through normal media but brought to light through blogging. Look out.