Dogma, Rhetoric and the Downward Spiralling Fear

Welcome Comrades,

This has got to be one of the strangest weeks on record. There must be a misalignment of the planets or something. Admittedly, things are bad in general. The economy imploded, the shuttle blew up, we're on the brink of invading another country. As the security alert status increases, the tension rises all around us, and I see friends and family snapping at each other and stomping on lifelong relationships with blatant disregard. What the hell's going on? While talking about world events the other day, my best friend told me I was full of shit, and he was sick of hearing my incendiary remarks. I wouldn't mind so much, except he was serious. Really serious. Another one of my oldest friends told my cousin not to speak to him anymore because of an e-mail. Huh? Can't differing opinions be heard without ending friendships? I'm truly stunned by how divided the people closest to me are becoming over this war. I don't know how to solve it. I don't know if it can be solved.

The son of an old friend from high school has grown up and joined the army. He was just shipped to Kuwait. I know she is proud to see him serve his country, but, deep down, I can't imagine how terrified she must be. As a student of history, I can look back across the centuries and analyze wars with detachment. Sometimes, there seems to be compelling justification for the use of force. Usually, they're just about money. Conflicts are always framed as 'good vs. evil' and 'necessary.' I thrill as much as anyone to see justice done, but it is a subjective concept. Are we the ultimate judge? Who's going to tell us "no?"

I'm sorry, but I have not heard the compelling justification for this conflict with Iraq. Weapons of mass destruction? Honestly, I think Saddam has probably tried to develop nukes. Does he have them? I don't know. We do know that he has had chemical and biological weapons because we gave them to him. Is he crazy enough to use them? I bet backing him into a corner is a good way to find out.

To me, this mad dash to war seems to have come out of left field. What happened to Osama Bin Laden? Nobody thinks he's in Iraq. In his latest statement, Bin Laden calls for the Iraqi people to fight the Americans, but the media left out the part where he calls for them to overthrow Saddam Hussein. I guess that part doesn't really make the case for an alliance between Al Qaeda and Saddam. There is so much disinformation out there surrounding this whole thing - hearsay, conjecture, lies of omission. It's tough to figure out what's really going on. I don't know. I can usually figure things out; I'm pretty smart, but I don't know. That terrifies me. Recent events are so reminiscent of darker periods in history. Without the facts, that's all I have to go on. I believe we are on the edge of a precipice, so, I understand being touchy.

Obviously, I'm on the side that opposes this war. Does that make me unpatriotic? Do I have to apologize for it? Do I have to lose friendships over it? It seems to me that this country was founded because of a difference of opinion with the government. I know, 'First Amendment,' 'Bill of Rights,' 'yadda, yadda, yadda,' you're sick of it. I hate to beat a dead issue, but fighting among ourselves is what the terrorists want. Surely, as Americans or at least as friends, we can agree to disagree. Can't we? Am I really that naive? Honestly, I don't want my illusions shattered this way, but it's out of my hands. There have been few times in my life when I have felt this sad and helpless. I leave you with the words of a controversial, yet wise man...

"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude."
- Rev. Martin Luther King Jr

Hasta la victoria siempre,

TVD

--- 2/20/03

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