oh yeah, life goes on..
rough copy of speech w. amie:
I didn't know much about the situation in Iraq until last week; I was sitting on the fence, not willing to take a side because unlike the majority of American citizens, I wasn't about to take a side without knowing the facts.
But, I'm definitely pro-war now. and I am so sick of people being anti-war because "people are going to die" or "it's all about oil." first of all, ever since Saddam came into power in the 70's, he has killed over 270,000 Iraqi citizens. second of all, America only consumes 3% of Iraq's oil supply; the rest is aqquired from Mexico, Canada, and a few other nations.
The Iraqi people live in oppression. Those who speak against the gov't are tortured or their kids are tortured in front of their eyes. Saddam uses human meat-grinders, chemical warfare, and fear to stay in control. His son picks random women off the street, has them taken to a hotel where he rapes then kills them. Saddam has killed members of his own family. Iraqi people speak out against America for two reasons: they're afraid that this war will be a repeat of the Gulf War.. they begin to rise up against the gov't with hopes of a new life and American troops will retreat, leaving them with the same oppression and, if they do show support for America, they'll be killed.
The Dixie Chicks thing:
What's great about America is that you can say whatever the hell you want (most of the time). But, when Natalie made that comment, she needed to realize that people don't always want free speech unless it's their speech that's jeopardized. The radio stations have a right to resist playing their music because the ones who are doing it are privately owned. However, I don't appreciate it when people in the public eye make an ignorant statement that their fans are going to incorporate into their own beliefs. Good Charlotte (yeck) is a great example of this. Famous people talk and talk because they think we care.. most of the time, they don't know why they feel a certain way, and most of the time, they don't want to offend anyone, so they bullshit around the question to avoid confrontation. John Mayer, for example.
If you are going to take a stand, FUCKING EDUCATE yourself about the issue. Don't walk blindly through the streets of San Fran. stopping traffic and violating laws to prove that violence is wrong. Tell say Bush is a terrible President whose greed controls his decisions. Don't say you don't want people of America to die in war because America didn't become great and strong because we were cowards when it came to fighting for preservation of society and the upholding of our rights as human beings. Our amazing, amazing troops are fighting for Iraqi freedom and American safety. I have so much respect for everyone who is involved with the military that to put words in front of my thoughts would lessen my feelings.
If you don't support the war, it doesn't matter. It isn't about you and your ignorant beliefs.. or even your educated ones. It's about standing behind the men who are willing to die for us and behind our President. Saddam has said many times that we will be defeated because we don't support out President's decisions.. that he has no one backing him up.
Before the war even began, U.S. troops had communication with key Iraqi troops so that they could surrender without being hurt. 16 soldiers surrendered while seeing U.S. troops TRAINING because they thought the troops were getting ready to attack.
the UN is supplying food to the people of Iraq (unlike many predictions of starvation made by doctors who travelled to Iraq months before war began) and neighboring countries are allowing the people to seek refuge there. Ancient buildings are being avoided so that when Iraq is rebuilt, they will still be standing.
Saddam ordered the use of chemical weapons during the Gulf War; however, by the time he made this command, most communication lines had been broken up. The message wasn't received. For this war, he's already given permission to key troops to use chemicals without first contacting him in Baghdad. They're being cruel to our men. They're hiding behind little kids, and Saddam is too much of a coward to fight and has too much pride to surrender.
Women in Iraq are treated like shit. They're abused, tortured, mocked, oppressed. They have no chance of a decent life.
One of my best friend's brothers is in the Army, and he keeps telling her, "if people don't even back us up in America, what are we fighting for? unwanted freedom?"
I'm sure if a terrorist act took place in America now, almost everyone would support the war against Iraq's leaders. But, this war isn't tangible to people. Because WE aren't suffering, they don't think it's worth fighting for.
Our Secretary of State is extremely intelligent. Our President has a kind heart, and tons of intelligent men and women have his ear. This isn't a decision based on Bush's opinions about Saddam. As the strongest nation, I think we have a duty to help other countries who can't help themselves. We have the capability, and everyone deserves to be free.
People say that many other countries pose threats to their citizens.. so, why Iraq? We have to start somewhere. Saddam is insane. He was willing to use chemical weapons 12 years ago, and people think he gave up the weapons because of the forced inspections? And North Korea is mad because Bush refused to keep paying them literally billions of dollars not to make nuclear weapons when they are.
WHICH IS ANOTHER THING! Our government pays BILLIONS of dollars every year to countries to insure that they aren't making weapons. That is so fucked up! They rely on our money.. which they're probably using TO make weapons. Our foreign policy is so fucked up.
So, for those who write to the gov't saying that no one supports war.. don't fucking speak for me. By including in your letter that war isn't good because the Dixie Chicks don't support it is like saying Dippin' Dots aren't good because you haven't tasted them. Form your own opinions based on facts, not from what someone touring in Europe says to a crowd of potential buyers in a country whose citizens are predominately anti-war. Also, the stock market has already begun to increase. Before the war, citizens were hesitant to buy because we didn't know what was going to happen. However, from now on, I think it will go up and keep going up. Also, joining the military is a voluntary thing. Bush can't just "send his twin daughters" to the front line because it's not his fucking decision. Don't assume that he's Ok with war and the death of soldiers because he doesn't have a family member fighting. France will not support this war. They have a 50 billion dollar contract with Iraq to receive cheap oil. If Iraq gets new leaders, the contracts have to be renegotiated. I, also, think they do under the table deals with Iraq, and they're afraid that once American and British troops gain control, these deals will be uncovered.
I do, however, think freedom fries are a bit much. Since when are french fries French?
If 40 nations are informed enough to support this war, Bush is doing something right.
I'm not saying you should support the war. I've talked to ignorant people who want the war, too. I'm saying you need to inform yourself of what's going on before you follow the crowd. Don't disrespect people who are anti-war, and don't disrespect people who are pro-war. We're humans. We have a right to feel the way we do. Nothing gets accomplished by close-mindedness.
Bottom line: This war isn't about you. Fucking get over yourself.
I didn't know much about the situation in Iraq until last week; I was sitting on the fence, not willing to take a side because unlike the majority of American citizens, I wasn't about to take a side without knowing the facts.
But, I'm definitely pro-war now. and I am so sick of people being anti-war because "people are going to die" or "it's all about oil." first of all, ever since Saddam came into power in the 70's, he has killed over 270,000 Iraqi citizens. second of all, America only consumes 3% of Iraq's oil supply; the rest is aqquired from Mexico, Canada, and a few other nations.
The Iraqi people live in oppression. Those who speak against the gov't are tortured or their kids are tortured in front of their eyes. Saddam uses human meat-grinders, chemical warfare, and fear to stay in control. His son picks random women off the street, has them taken to a hotel where he rapes then kills them. Saddam has killed members of his own family. Iraqi people speak out against America for two reasons: they're afraid that this war will be a repeat of the Gulf War.. they begin to rise up against the gov't with hopes of a new life and American troops will retreat, leaving them with the same oppression and, if they do show support for America, they'll be killed.
The Dixie Chicks thing:
What's great about America is that you can say whatever the hell you want (most of the time). But, when Natalie made that comment, she needed to realize that people don't always want free speech unless it's their speech that's jeopardized. The radio stations have a right to resist playing their music because the ones who are doing it are privately owned. However, I don't appreciate it when people in the public eye make an ignorant statement that their fans are going to incorporate into their own beliefs. Good Charlotte (yeck) is a great example of this. Famous people talk and talk because they think we care.. most of the time, they don't know why they feel a certain way, and most of the time, they don't want to offend anyone, so they bullshit around the question to avoid confrontation. John Mayer, for example.
If you are going to take a stand, FUCKING EDUCATE yourself about the issue. Don't walk blindly through the streets of San Fran. stopping traffic and violating laws to prove that violence is wrong. Tell say Bush is a terrible President whose greed controls his decisions. Don't say you don't want people of America to die in war because America didn't become great and strong because we were cowards when it came to fighting for preservation of society and the upholding of our rights as human beings. Our amazing, amazing troops are fighting for Iraqi freedom and American safety. I have so much respect for everyone who is involved with the military that to put words in front of my thoughts would lessen my feelings.
If you don't support the war, it doesn't matter. It isn't about you and your ignorant beliefs.. or even your educated ones. It's about standing behind the men who are willing to die for us and behind our President. Saddam has said many times that we will be defeated because we don't support out President's decisions.. that he has no one backing him up.
Before the war even began, U.S. troops had communication with key Iraqi troops so that they could surrender without being hurt. 16 soldiers surrendered while seeing U.S. troops TRAINING because they thought the troops were getting ready to attack.
the UN is supplying food to the people of Iraq (unlike many predictions of starvation made by doctors who travelled to Iraq months before war began) and neighboring countries are allowing the people to seek refuge there. Ancient buildings are being avoided so that when Iraq is rebuilt, they will still be standing.
Saddam ordered the use of chemical weapons during the Gulf War; however, by the time he made this command, most communication lines had been broken up. The message wasn't received. For this war, he's already given permission to key troops to use chemicals without first contacting him in Baghdad. They're being cruel to our men. They're hiding behind little kids, and Saddam is too much of a coward to fight and has too much pride to surrender.
Women in Iraq are treated like shit. They're abused, tortured, mocked, oppressed. They have no chance of a decent life.
One of my best friend's brothers is in the Army, and he keeps telling her, "if people don't even back us up in America, what are we fighting for? unwanted freedom?"
I'm sure if a terrorist act took place in America now, almost everyone would support the war against Iraq's leaders. But, this war isn't tangible to people. Because WE aren't suffering, they don't think it's worth fighting for.
Our Secretary of State is extremely intelligent. Our President has a kind heart, and tons of intelligent men and women have his ear. This isn't a decision based on Bush's opinions about Saddam. As the strongest nation, I think we have a duty to help other countries who can't help themselves. We have the capability, and everyone deserves to be free.
People say that many other countries pose threats to their citizens.. so, why Iraq? We have to start somewhere. Saddam is insane. He was willing to use chemical weapons 12 years ago, and people think he gave up the weapons because of the forced inspections? And North Korea is mad because Bush refused to keep paying them literally billions of dollars not to make nuclear weapons when they are.
WHICH IS ANOTHER THING! Our government pays BILLIONS of dollars every year to countries to insure that they aren't making weapons. That is so fucked up! They rely on our money.. which they're probably using TO make weapons. Our foreign policy is so fucked up.
So, for those who write to the gov't saying that no one supports war.. don't fucking speak for me. By including in your letter that war isn't good because the Dixie Chicks don't support it is like saying Dippin' Dots aren't good because you haven't tasted them. Form your own opinions based on facts, not from what someone touring in Europe says to a crowd of potential buyers in a country whose citizens are predominately anti-war. Also, the stock market has already begun to increase. Before the war, citizens were hesitant to buy because we didn't know what was going to happen. However, from now on, I think it will go up and keep going up. Also, joining the military is a voluntary thing. Bush can't just "send his twin daughters" to the front line because it's not his fucking decision. Don't assume that he's Ok with war and the death of soldiers because he doesn't have a family member fighting. France will not support this war. They have a 50 billion dollar contract with Iraq to receive cheap oil. If Iraq gets new leaders, the contracts have to be renegotiated. I, also, think they do under the table deals with Iraq, and they're afraid that once American and British troops gain control, these deals will be uncovered.
I do, however, think freedom fries are a bit much. Since when are french fries French?
If 40 nations are informed enough to support this war, Bush is doing something right.
I'm not saying you should support the war. I've talked to ignorant people who want the war, too. I'm saying you need to inform yourself of what's going on before you follow the crowd. Don't disrespect people who are anti-war, and don't disrespect people who are pro-war. We're humans. We have a right to feel the way we do. Nothing gets accomplished by close-mindedness.
Bottom line: This war isn't about you. Fucking get over yourself.