Apparently we are having an open forum to discuss the "Bush administration's impending war ON Iraq". I find it interesting that the coordinator/moderator is an English professor, but who knows. It does seem to be an eclectic mix of speakers. I also find it interesting that the brochure read "...war on Iraq" rather than "...war WITH Iraq". The real tone of the evening, however, can probably be inferred by the choice of an oil rig as the backdrop for the brochure. Somehow I suspect it will be an open dialogue only as long as it takes the prescribed anti-war track layed out. However, the LSU student body is not known for being particularly liberal or sympathetic to "touchy-feely" PC causes. It might be an interesting sight to behold.
Here's a link to the Veterans for Peace organization mentioned on the brochure.
Maybe some of us vets should start another organization, we could call it "Veterans with Common Sense". But then that would be redundant wouldn't it, since to qualify you'd only have to not be a member of "Veterans for Peace".
Those few vets in the peace camp are starting to annoy me. Maybe I should respect their views, but I don't. Pacifists I can tolerate, dim as they are, but someone who can fight, who knows how, that chooses to sit it out for whatever reason while others suffer and die? Because these guys should make no mistake, people are going to die no matter what choice we make. So isn't it better to face the terrorists on your feet with a weapon, then meekly shrugging your shoulders and hoping they come for you last?
As a vet, I detest war. I think you'll find that most vets do.
I also know that there are times when it is necessary to put our young men and women in harm's way in order to protect ourselves, our friends or our collective conscience.
This is one of those times, and our great nation needs and deserves the support of all of us in this. Otherwise we will never be able to look in a mirror again.
I noticed that the "vets for peace" is urging people to attend A.N.S.W.E.R's rally in San Fran. I'll be interested to see how much violence takes place there.
Posted by: Fleck on February 12, 2003 07:51 PMAs a vet, I detest war. I think you'll find that most vets do.
I also know that there are times when it is necessary to put our young men and women in harm's way in order to protect ourselves, our friends or our collective conscience.
This is one of those times, and our great nation needs and deserves the support of all of us in this. Otherwise we will never be able to look in a mirror again.
I noticed that the "vets for peace" is urging people to attend A.N.S.W.E.R's rally in San Fran. I'll be interested to see how much violence takes place there.
Posted by: Fleck on February 12, 2003 07:52 PMNeal, I just was going back down to your links when I came across an earlier post of yours. "Veterans for common sense", oops! I didn't mean to copy your work, it just popped into my head while I was commenting. I guess you're having a serious effect on my thinking when some of your phrases stick with me like that. My apologies, I didn't intentionally borrow it, but I should have been more careful. I post my apology here instead of an e-mail because the error was public, so should be the acknowledgment of it. Again , sorry.
Mark
Posted by: puggs on February 13, 2003 03:23 AMMark,
No worries at all, my friend. I find myself stopping all the time to reflect on whether the words I'm typing are my own, or whether I've picked up a phrase from someone else along the way.
Posted by: Neal on February 13, 2003 10:35 AM