[GT40FIED]

I keep coming back to the idea that Iraq as a country was a mistake. It was formed by the League of Nations after the first world war (which in historical terms is basically yesterday). Before that, the whole area (along with Jordan, Syria, Afghanistan, etc.) was part of the Ottoman (sp?) empire controlled by Ottoman Turks. Instead, they break up the area and put what amount to lines on a map and say "ok...we've got new countries now". But they foolishly sectioned off territories where people didn't get along. Iraq houses different sects of muslims, kurds, and a few other subgroups who don't get along. So it's inception as a whole was a mistake. I guess I keep asking myself if it deserves it's sovereignty. It has constantly violated the basic human rights of it's peoples and proved it's contempt for the rest of the non-Arab world. Now is another war the answer? Who knows? What I do know is that this is a political nightmare...nobody comes out on top. Nobody wins wars...they just kill more than the other guy. Perhaps we should take a note from that old school punk band Crass...Fight war, not wars - destroy power not people. I do, however, agree that "protesters" are insulting our armed service members and if this were WWII they'd be beaten within inches of their lives (perhaps we can still make this happen?).

As for the troops on the ground and in the air and on the ships, I don't think that hardly anyone would say they're against them. I don't think many people actually want to see combat, but they're doing their duties and EVERYONE should respect them for that. You don't have to like the war, but you've gotta respect the sacrifices our men and women are making because if you're reading this it probably isn't a sacrifice you'd like to make.