Andrew loses faith in humanity

[wasdwasd]

Today, I am talking to Jill and she informs me of some events that transpire in her religion class. Apparently, a group of kids made the argument that the "enemy" in war needs not be treated as a human being. Only Jill and a few other students spoke out against this. The rest of the class was silent. There are a few issues here. First, the

Comments

*huggles*

[rikku91386]

*huggles Bobby* It's alright, Bobby. I respect your thoughts, I really do. I agree that war is necessary at times, but not now, not at all. We went in without UN approval (well, why do we have the UN then, do tell me?). I appreciate people who fight for my right to keep my freedom; however this is an offensive war, not meant to protect me at all. I can substantiate this by refering to the fact that we found no weapons of mass destruction, and I have heard no solid evidence that Al Quaida and the Iraqui nation are one and the same. In fact, I'm fairly certain that one does not directly entail the other. Therefore we have no right to be torturing prisoners who have done nothing against us (yes, they were only there for interrogation). And the severing of that soldier's head? That was in retaliation. We acted first. By your own sanctioning of "Eye for an eye", that's perfectly reasonable.

Those people who tortured the Iraqi prisoners have just proven to me that we have no reason to be there anymore. First it was for the weapons... no weapons. Then it was to get Al Quaida... they left. Next, it was to instill a moral code and positive influence on a new government after Sadam was captured... we lost that when we showed that we stooped to the level of terrorists by exacting revenge on innocents. We're a laughingstock of the world now. I'm saying we cut our losses and get the hell out of there.

Go us, we got Sadam... a sniper could have done that with 800 less casualties to our side. Oh, and about the animal instinct to attack the attacker... Being the largest and most powerful country in the world gives us the responsability to be above that. Don't you agree?

I'm sorry you see me as a "fuckin armband wearin hippie". I'm sorry that I have my own reasons. Before you bash others just because you feel personally offended or attacked, take the higher road and place yourself above it all. You'll need it in the army to be a riteous, honerable man. You think I don't know friends who are in Iraq right now? Friends who have to shake 5-inch beetles out of their boots every morning? Bobby, you're wrong. I have the pictures to prove it. I appreciate that they have the courage to do that, but the question is not willingness or courage here. The question is whether or not what they've been told to do is right. I personally don't think that they have reason to be there anymore, there is no reason from now on for the aforementioned reasons. Can you understand my view on that?

I'm also sorry that you think I've earned nothing... I'm sorry I'm nothing in your eyes, Bobby. But let me tell you, I still love you. Here's wishing you the best.

Re: *huggles*

[he_who_can]

first and foremost, I'm glad this discussion is taking place. Almost more important than what people think about an issue is THAT they think, rather than following others.

I agree that the stated objective of this war is excessively fluid, and that's bad. However, there's two things I want to say. First, I don't think that it's legitimate to say that killing the civilian was retribution in the sense of an eye for an eye: embarrassing/dishonoring people is very different from killing someone. Also, combatants and civilians are separate groups.

Second, on the wmd thing--#1, we've found a ton of evidence that they were working toward nuclear weapons, though not that they have them; and that can be used for either side of the argument. More importantly, a few days ago, some Iraqi soldiers set up an explosive which had Sarin nerve gas in it. Well...that is a WMD. So, they do have them, at least in some quantity.

I support the idea of this protest and I wish you well; and I agree with many of the arguments jill & others have made; but I wanted to clarify those two points.