As Violence Escalates, Some Changes of Heart on War

[Judi Lynn]

As Violence Escalates, Some Changes of Heart on War
By PAM BELLUCK

Published: April 8, 2004


he barrage of violence that has seized Iraq over the last few days has jolted many Americans, causing deep anxiety and prompting many people to re-examine their positions on how the United States is handling the war.

In dozens of interviews around the country on Wednesday, many people said they worried that the United States had become trapped in a conflict much more complicated than the Bush administration envisioned. But there was little consensus on what should be done, and much confusion about how to interpret the events of the last week — the killing and dismembering of four contract workers in Falluja, the raid that killed 12 marines in Ramadi, the eruption of violence in half a dozen cities.

Some people who had supported the war from the outset said they now felt it was a bad decision or they had serious questions about the way it was being conducted.

Others, including liberals who were against the war, argued that the United States now needed to send in more military force to make sure that American soldiers and contractors were adequately protected. A few argued for withdrawing troops altogether, while others said that the United States should reconsider the June 30 deadline that President Bush has set for transferring ruling power to the Iraqis.
(snip/...)

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/08/national/08MOOD.html
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[bluestateguy]

1. This may sound cruel

but to those who supported this war a year ago I must say:

I TOLD YOU SO.

2. no reason to wimp out now

you MUST say I told you so.
There support enabled Bush, even if he was going to do it anyway.

[shockingelk]

5. careful though

Even if you obviously not happy about saying "I told you so", it can sound to war supporters like you're happy you were right. So if you're going to do it, I'd suggest making sure you note you were hoping you'd be wrong, sad that you were right or something.

7. Haven't had that problem yet

I haven't met a war supporter yet.
But I do live in NYC, hang out in the writers community, work at a liberal law firm.
I'm visiting my hometown in Kansas for Easter. I might have to keep it in mind when I'm there.

[Just Me]

17. Yeah,...behaving righteously towards "THE righteous" never works.

The "told you so" only pisses 'em off. Even sharing passing the demonstrable facts (which contradict what the people want to believe) incites their need to be "good" and "righteous". So, I've learned to ask poignant questions, then shut up. Those questions include stuff like, "If the 9/11 pricks were almost all Saudis, why would we invade Iraq?" or "Who really profits from this war?" or "When did the 'terrorists' move into Iraq?" or "Doesn't this whole thing seem kind of 'weird', or is it just me?" You know, stuff like that.

[this_side_up]

6. It would be cruel only if

you were gloating or getting some other kind of
satisfaction.

I do not think you are.

This illegal war has to stop. The dying and maiming for
life has to stop.

All Republicans nationwide, from the WH to city dog
catcher, must be voted out of office.

To those of you here who have loved ones over there,
I am so sorry.

[Old and In the Way]

8. Many here predicted this scenario.....18 months ago.

I hate to be right about something so wrong, though.

3. I hope this sentiment

infects the media as well. They are 100% culpable in the deaths of each and every soldier.

[qanda]

13. Exactly right Sticky...

And welcome to DU :hi:

[jmcgowanjm]

4. the killing since major combat was over

We've got this slogan down. That's for sure.

But how many Americans heard Sen Byrd's speech
yesterday?

The President sent these men and women into Iraq,
and it is his responsibility to develop a strategy to
extricate them from that troubled country before their
losses become intolerable.

http://www.antiwar.com/orig/byrd.php?articleid=2272

[rocktivity]

9. What I find cruel

"It was a clear mission in Iraq to begin with: get Saddam Hussein out of power and find weapons of mass destruction," said Katherine Farina, a 28-year-old legal secretary from Denver..."With all of this new violence, just recently I have become opposed to the presence in Iraq...I think the killing since major combat was over is absolutely disgusting. It's really confusing, and I'm just angry..."

What I find cruel is this story's suggestion that it's the escalated violence alone that's turning people off, and divorces it from possible attitude changes towards the Bush regime. Why wasn't this woman asked if she thought the Preztel-Dunce was telling the truth about the weapons being there?

:headbang:
rocknation

[The_Casual_Observer]

10. Some Changes of Heart on War

I wonder what it would take to get this stupid country to wake up and realize that they have been deceived and lied to for 3+ years by a criminal shit bird. One thing is for sure, it isn't going to get any better for Jr. this year, even this economy good news nonsense will soon vaporize in a cloud of smoke and broken mirrors.

[Skittles]

11. I can't help it, I resent these people

THIS is what it took to make them open their eyes? I am f***ing DISGUSTED.

[bluestateguy]

12. Face fact

Only the deaths of Americans will turn the white middle class and upper middle class against the war. Sad, but true, the American people just don't give a damn about dead Iraqis. They have to be able to identify with the hardship of the people suffering. To most Americans, dead Iraqis are just faceless, meaningless brown, non-Christian people.

[pennylane100]

19. Unfortunately, John Kerry voted to support the war.

which is one of the reasons I supported Howard Dean.

[Skittles]

21. it's the reason

I voted for Kucinich.

[Skittles]

20. yup

I have always known that. Perhaps I have a different perspective; my mum survived bombing raids in England as a child and has described to me what it felt like. I just CRINGE when I hear freepers using that RW spin shit "WE TOOK THE WAR ON TERRORISM TO IRAQ". These so-called "pro-lifers" don't give a DAMN about the children of Iraq.

[oldcoot]

22. I share your resentment

I was feeling the urge to smack one of these idiots when I was reading comments from a former war supporter on another message board. This poster made a comment about how he/she supported the war but was now horrified that the Iraqis were rejecting their "liberators." This person then asked "Who could have predicted this outcome?" Well, I suspect that most of the people who opposed this war could have predicted this outcome. It is too bad that so many supporters of this war as well as the media were too busy questioning the patriotism of the antiwar activists that they did not bother to actually listen to what they were saying.

The sad fact is that some of these people will never open their eyes. They will not try to understand what is happening in Iraq and they will not learn from this experience. In twenty to thirty years, many of them will probably be supporting another foolish president's adventure in another country.

[Skittles]

25. yup

all people who failed to define patriotism by wrapping themselves in the flag and goose-stepping to King George were branded as TRAITORS.

[Mari333]

14. I hate, truly hate, the ignorant US citizens who wanted and still want

this war. I spit on them.
http://www.bringthemhomenow.com
if Michael gets out of Iraq alive, I am leaving this country. It has turned its back on us.

[Karenina]

15. Oh dear, Ima o'lady

memry aint unreliable... Hmmm... what was that girl made so much uproar? Starsometing??? Dunno, something about how Americans needed to feel the sting of death and disruption before they start to grok...

We still got any DJs here? CUE MARVIN. You know the one I mean.

[put out]

23. Talk to me, so we can see, "What's Going On".

Is that it? That song speaks to me today.

[Malva Zebrina]

16. I have met people whose loved ones are serving in Iraq or Afganistan

and they proudly admit that their sons are proud to serve wherever they are.

There is a core of naive, uneducated, vulerable people in this country. They have bought into the " brave soldier as hero" mentality and I suppose that is what keeps them going in their fear. However, I am not obliged to join them. I simply cannot lend my name to it.

They are proud that their sons and daughters are proud to protect our freedoms and willing to follow orders to kill children, women and babies that are not a threat to us, in order to gain that distinction. What do we do? How do we talk to these parents if we see it differently. Kindly, I guess. there is no sense in villifying their sons and daughters at this point. But I cannot support this mission.



We do NOT need our freedoms to be protected by killing ten thousands and more of innocent people who were NO threat to us at all. That is NOT proecting our freedoms. Let us get rid of that newspeak and doublespeak.

Let us get rid of the idiot and know nothing George Bush and his frumpy do nothing leech of a dumpy woman who support this evil undertaking. They are both insane as well as many in his cabinet. who woulda thought this -- we hated his stealing the election, but who woulda though he would be destroying this country as he has while the frump goes galavanting around in her upholstry clothing on our bucks, when she and he, for that matter have never had to be concerned about finding a job and paying rent and all the rest. They are both the leeches on the society of this country. They live and do harm with tax payer money.




These are only protecting the greed of people like Bush, and his cohorts and that includes Rice, since she is so willing to lie to protect the idiot and his frump.

Our country is broken. I am not sure that Kerry can do much about it. He is our only other choice so we are forced to vote for him

I would also in an instant, move to Canada--if I were not so old.

[Mari333]

18. They are lying to themselves

because they dont want to admit the US govt, any regime like this one, would throw their kid into a war for nothing but $$$. But thats the truth. Every soldier who died over there and every one of them wounded..it was for nothing.
Some families cant wrap their minds around that fact.
I can.

[bpilgrim]

24. Nobody Suggested PEACEKEEPERS?!

guess we can't even trust the UN... a legacy from when our better angels was still healthy.

peace