a reminder concerning war (with links)

[Iverson]

I have been struck with the blase tone of recent discussions about war, as if it were an abstraction to be settled by a pithy epigram or bon mot. Too often, these discussions have been framed by a concern for one's favorite candidate, with short-term political concerns necessarily uppermost in the writer's thoughts.

While I take it as read that the PNAC crowd willingly sacrifices the lives of others, it is scant comfort that those of us who purportedly oppose the radical right are more interested in winning arguments than in examining the meaning of the words we cast around in search of rhetorical oneupmanship. Supporting war for short-term political gain is reprehensible. Tolerating it on that basis is scarcely better. War is about people, and in particular it's about killing people. Modern war seems to kill more civilians than ever before, even as the weapons get more accurate. It necessitates our national leaders inventing dishonest terms such as "collateral damage" or brazenly declaring a lack of interest in civilian casualties.

For those with the wherewithal to look beyond war as a debating device during campaign season, I include links to some upsetting images. They come from a shameful episode, though not a unique one, in our country's recent past. Some of us here are old enough to remember it.

http://free.freespeech.org/americanstateterrorism/vietnamgenocide/Mylai.html
http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/lai/color_10.html?sect=8 (scoll down a bit)



http://www.asiapac.org.fj/cafepacific/resources/aspac/viet-child.html
http://www.asiapac.org.fj/cafepacific/resources/aspac/viet-women.html

[Jacobin]

1. Very timely reminder of what we are in store for

and what will be inflicted on civilians if we aren't able to replace SmirkCo with something very very different.

John Kerry is freaking me out with this war discussions. Lieberman, of course is simply beyond the pale and a PNACing dingbat.

[Solly Mack]

2. Thank you

This "war" is very personal for me...and nothing detracts from that.

It's mean, ugly, cruel, horrible and it all spells death...that's all war is...death.

[Brucey]

3. Excellent point.

War is hell, and in my admittedly humble opinion (not dogmatic) I believe that Vietnam was a huge mistake and those who willingly served there are not heroes, but were dupes and slow learners. I knew Vietnam was wrong as early as 1966 and I was never taken in by Bush and company's arguments for invading Iraq. Some have seen the light awfully late, or as you pointed out, have used war and patriotism for political or selfish reasons. I think Kerry (and others) are good people; but I consider them slow learners because it took them so long to come to the right conclusion. There were many, many others who were right far before them. Wars should not be taken lightly or glibly.

[diamond14]

4. mai lai...photo of young woman, just after she was raped by U.S.

Soldiers, and a few seconds before she was shot to death....the woman is shown buttoning her shirt after the rape...it is her upset mother cursing OUR troops...everyone in this photo (including the children) were KILLED shortly after the photo was taken, KILLED by American Soldiers...

[Jacobin]

6. And another, lest we forget

[diamond14]

5. today's WP: 3 Reservists Charged in Iraqi's Death (link)

history repeats itself, small article...there are videos of OUR soliders KILLING wounded Iraqis on DU, horrors, war crimes....

all part of any war...raping and KILLING...when will WE THE PEOPLE decide there is a different way...war is NOT the answer...

-------------------------------------------------

3 Reservists Charged in Iraqi's Death

Associated Press
Tuesday, January 27, 2004; Page A09


CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., Jan. 26 -- Three Marine reservists appeared in military court Monday to face charges stemming from the death of an Iraqi prisoner who prosecutors said was punched, karate-kicked and dragged by the throat while in their custody.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50647-2004Jan26.html

[Iverson]

7. a kick, lest we forget

n/t