On appreciating military service, even in Iraq
In response to Joe Duarte’s rant against serving in Iraq in order to promote American freedom - “The idea that Iraq was ever a threat to Americans’ freedoms is both hilarious and revolting...” - I posted the following.
I don’t recall anyone arguing that Iraq was a threat, but [see correction below] I certainly remember some extremely articulate arguments to the effect that installing democracy in Iraq could, over the long-term, have a significant effect on reducing the growth of terrorism.
Not because Iraq itself was ever a hotbed of terrorism, but because installing democracy in a major country in the heart of Mesopotamia would inevitably cause the citizens in neighboring countries to begin campaigning for greater democratic freedoms themselves.
And unlike the petty theocratic dictatorships throughout most of the Middle East, democracies very rarely breed anything resembling terrorism.
In other words, Iraq was part of a long-term strategy, not a short-term fix or act of retaliation or self-defense.
For this reason, many Americans (including those who volunteer in the military) do believe their service in Iraq is in the cause of freedom.
You may disagree with them, and perhaps for very good reasons, but I don’t think you can fairly accuse them of latching onto false bromides - which seems to be the gist of your argument.
The fact that you see Iraq as a “stupid, stupid war” doesn’t mean that your perspective on the path to American freedom obviates their own perspective.
Note, please, that I’m not arguing here for or against the war in Iraq. I’m making a different point.
I’m saying: The fact you personally disagree with or disapprove of the war, does not mean those who are volunteering to fight it are not sincerely motivated by the honorable promotion of American freedoms.
I happen to appreciate their efforts and their motivations even though I often find myself having conflicted feelings about the war itself.
UPDATE: Actually, now I do recall the official arguments that Iraq posted a threat to world peace (weapons of mass destruction and all that) but I never personally saw those arguments as the more compelling ones in favor of the war, for the reasons Stephen den Beste illuminates very clearly.
Second update: (May 10) Joe felt my initial one-sentence summary of his position (”...Joe Duarte’s rant against joining the military and serving in Iraq to promote freedom...”) was a potential mischaracterization, depending on how the conjunction was read. He’s right. So I’ve updated it above with what I hope would be more clear.
Originally published at Mudita Journal. Please leave any comments there.