Time for me to chime in on the whole "war on Iraq." I'm sure you were all waiting with bated breath.
Let's be honest, it's disgusting, this war. Whether it's questioning the motives behind it, the actions taken, or the media coverage, it's all enough to make you feel ill about the current state of the world.
Perhaps that's why my only regular media intake about the war has come from Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show. Hey, at least there I know the news I'm getting is fake, whereas with the other channels, well, it's all conjecture, speculation, bias, and propeganda. Well, perhaps not all, but it's revolting how the war's been spun into "Battle of the News Networks"... especially the whole Fox vs. MSNBC vs. Geraldo thing. Ech. Whatever.
I oppose the war, and that doesn't mean I oppose the troops, but really, I wish they weren't there. I'm sure I could name one or two more important, non-oil generating countries that could use a little more discipline, countries more people could understand the necessity of taking precautionary action against. *cough*Korea*cough*
Enough people have gone on tangents about Bush, and oil, and Cheney, but really, the connection is too deep to ignore. And, well, if the conspiracy theorist in me were ready to rant, there would be some interesting and wholly infactual comments coming... oh what the hell, let's give the quick version:
- Bush gets "elected" under sever criticism, and his rightful place in office is highly questionable... as well, he is frequently portrayed as a buffoon (no comment)
- 9-11 - Bush is in cahoots with Taleban(or, to Americanize it, "Taliban") to blow up twin towers to, in part, dispel doubts upon his Presidency in hopes that this "time of tragedy" would endear him in the hearts and minds of his people.
- The big anti-terrorist movement provides W with a great sense of power and control, and makes him wide-eyed, looking at a world he's never dared to explore (leaving Texas for the White House seemed a big step, no?)
- Bush, somehow, connects the terrorists with Iraq and Saddam Hussein, bringing his father's sordid legacy back into the picture. He begins to fuel the fire with the Q and by hook or by crook, he's going in there and getting hisoil...erm, Hussein
- It is announced that the company VP Dick Cheney used to head has been given a contract for an undisclosed amount of money to help in relief efforts (basically involving the oil reserves) after the war in Iraq is over... and obviously the Americans won...*cough*
As I said, it's a crazy theory, but the links have been made. You can go forth and dispel them as you please.
I'm currently involved with an organization dealing with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade working on an on-line project about foreign policy. During these times people seem to think that foreign policy is chiefly Iraq, and aren't looking much further than, let's say, the next six months.
My organization receives a lot of email directed to various levels of government, and while I'm under confidentiality not to disclose specifics, the information itself is typical of what you would find on any chat room or message board or listserv.
People are for the war.
People are against the war.
Repeat.
It was interesting that before it actually started, the bulk of commentary from Canadians and more was anti-war... actually, anything commenting on the war was indeed anti-war. However immediately following the announcement that troops were engaging Iraqi forces, there was a lot of commentary towards Minister Graham and Prime Minister Chretien about how damaging it is to us not to support the Americans (who are acting against the UN Security Council's wishes, mind you!). Since the first few days, the correspondence has been even-handed, thanking and damning, from Canadian and American alike.
The funniest thing is the Canadians aren't worried about the war, they're worried about money, investor relations and the like. What will this do to our economy? It is to laugh. People actually seem to think that us not supporting the United States in their silly little pissing contest is actually going to harm us!
Who cares about things like this? Rednecks and morons who don't think for themselves. The braindead followers who think that whatever the media and the man behind the mic say is gospel. Well, sir et madam, GOBSHITE!
This is the way I see it: There are probably more Americans against this war than for it. I'm not saying they're against their troops, just against the idea and principles behind this war to begin with. These are the Americans we are dealing with as trade partners on a business to business basis. If the US government wants to sanction Canadian product (hey, let's cut off their water and energy supply.. see how they like that...) let them. The individual business, where Canada's strength is really growing, is where the finance will come in. Oh, and perhaps this anti-American-bravado sentiment that the /ahem/ world is expressing, well, we just made 101 trade partners, partner.
And honestly, the reaction to how this war is playing out is not going to make Bush a hero, and even if he does somehow manage to get his oily money-grubbing hands on another term in office, it's another five years before someone gets in office ready to remedy their economic and global-relations nightmare that Bush has sent them spiralling towards, and we will welcome our wronged trade partners back with open arms and a slap upside the head.
I feel sorry for people who believe we are wrong for doing what is right. I don't side with Saddam Hussein, and I'm quite sure the guy is a complete fucknut, but bringing a full-fledged assault upon his people, especially with American-Muslim tensions so high, well, it doesn't bode too well. And be sure, this is a very public war. I find it nigh impossible to believe that the CIA or some other underground faction of the USGov wouldn't be able to discreetly (or even loudly) take the meglomaniacal bastard out. This war is a flexing of the proverbial bicep, it's a global division of the US from the rest of the World. Bush's xenophobia with regards to the rest of the world is going to hinder the 87.95 (somewhat close to estimated numbers)% of people who didn't vote for him (or didn't vote at all, for shame), putting them through ordeals perhaps as big as 9-11 all over again (even though Big Brother is keeping watch more closely than ever, remember, it was the wee tech-less Ewoks who turned the tide against the mighty Empire).
Anyway, this rant is making me tired, thirsty and annoyed. I'm not anti-American, but I am anti-bullshit, and too much of what's going on beneath our border stinks just like it. And I can't blame the people, except that they are the ones who a) put Bush in charge and b) keep him there.
As for me, I have more immediate concerns... trying to find work in a horrified economy, and the looming threat of some mysterious contagion, well, this is like a Lucio Fulci film, and people just think, "ah, nothing's going to happen" while you sit there looking at the screen yelling "put on the fucking mask you idiot."
Yes, you can't live your life in fear, but you can't live without caution either. I wish peace and health to everyone in the world, and my dreams will sadly reflect the nightmares of our lives.
"Thanks, God, for the world you've given us, too bad we fucked it up."
-me