Very moving op-ed from a soldier who served in Iraq, Bosnia, Afghanistan

[DealsGapRider]

I agree with this statement:

"I do not object to all those who oppose the war. I do object those who accuse the United States of war crimes and genocide in order to lend weight to their pacifism.

"I have heard and seen those in Austin who call for the United States to leave Iraq, accusing the Bush administration of an unjust invasion, illegal occupation and genocide. Such people don't know what 'genocide' means."

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/auto/epaper/editions/today/editorial_f3588084a524321300c3.html;COXnetJSessionID=1FvqoiBCMUO1lRy5bUMFNd9dXELbShZCktsvP29ILhPqGdPc8Cep!-602180213?urac=n&urvf=10657423143550.07194357878715918

[Postman]

1. We must end suffering, especially where there is oil. Lots and lots of oil

Gimme a break.

This war was sold as an imminent threat to our lives.

The first people you MUST propagandize that your cause is just are the ones doing the actual killing. If they don't believe, you might as well pack it up and go home.

No surprise that this soldier, brainwashed with visions of superman slogans in his head, is a true believer.

[VelmaD]

2. Mr. Todd might want to consider...

that many of the anti-war folks I have met in Austin are also veterans. I think maybe they know what the hell they're talking about.

Somebody obviously needs to send him the link to the Veteran's For Peace website.

[IrateCitizen]

3. Not too surprised you posted this, DealsGapRider

The problem with this soldier's POV is that it still operates under the assumption that America is the "force of good" in the world. While he acknowledges that "we cannot solve all the world's problems alone", he fails to realize that the only true solutions to the world's problems will come about through true international partnerships.

And America HAS participated in its share of genocide, both directly and by proxy. We slaughtered indigenous peoples in our quest for "manifest destiny". We slaughtered the people of the Phillippines following the Spanish-American War simply because they wanted the Phillippines for Filipinos. We have trained some of the most ruthless folks at our "School of the Americas" and then sent them to do the dirty work, heading paramilitaries in El Salvador, Guatemala and within the Nicaraguan "contras".

But none of this is meant to be a condemnation of America. The point that is lost by many is that America is not this great "beacon of justice", simply via the reality that it is a nation state. And as such, it is likely to be ruled by those who are most ambitious to gain power -- and thereby most ill-equipped to wield it. The difference with America is that we have the capacity, through our representative system of government, to keep a spotlight on all that goes on within our government and prevent these kinds of human rights abuses from occurring.

But all too often, we are willing to trade away this responsiblity in the name of sloth and security. And woe to us for doing so, because in the process, America has fell from the incredible possibility that it once was to just another Empire, rising and falling under the watch of history.

[sinkingfeeling]

7. Hear, hear....excellent.......................................n/t

[Ripley]

4. So you object to anyone who accuses the US of war crimes?

Do you think our country is immune to all international laws? Do you think our country is above the Geneva Convention? You sound like you are lost.


BTW, I've ridden The Dragon a few times it's a great bike ride. But man, you must not read enough info here to understand why those statements are not very well thought out.

[IrateCitizen]

5. Considering his stances on Gitmo detainees and citizens being held...

... without due process, I would say that the answer to your question is "yes".

This is a person who admitted that he found Daniel Pipes to be a voice of "balance and reason" on Middle-East affairs. Of course, maybe he's changed his mind a bit since then.

[Ripley]

6. Oh, I see.

I haven't read his posts before. One of those subtle types. :eyes:

[DealsGapRider]

8. I retracted that statement of support for Pipes within minutes.

I just hadn't read enough about him. He always sounded reasonable on TV. I admitted I was wrong, so lay off.