MUST READ......This is simply a remarkable essay.....

[cussin'it]

Before I get to it I want to say, though I may not necessarily agree with his 2-point conclusions, I do very much respect the rationale, the reasoning, the passion, and embrace the end results that will hopefully be achieved by this action.

I would also like to express my apologies to anyone who I may have offended personally. Personal attacks are so easy to level, but insightful thought and reasoning, respectful debate and understanding is something which we all should strive to achieve, regardless of one's political views.
When I've disagreed with a visceral response, let it be known that it is the policies, the means to an end that I have intended to object to, not the individual. I'm sure that most here are fine people, respectful of their neighbors, providers of their families, and supportive of their friends.

My politcal views are relatively simple: I am very skeptical of those who possess power, for power and wealth have the ability to corrupt, to cause those to act in narrow-minded, self-serving ways. Power intoxicates and to balance and check power and challenge those who make decisions that affect millions is in the best interests of Representative Democracy, and equally serves to protect our liberty.
Greed is one of the biggest enemies this nation, this world faces. The respect for other cultures and their beliefs must be understood and respected with all effort, and expoitation must be guarded against. We also must protect ourselves, and our own...this I would never object to. It's the aims of the powerful that must always be held to scrutiny, for the sake of all of us.

Bless the bravest of us, those following orders and trying to do the best for their county and their families, our soldiers.

Essay-Life During Wartime

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cussin`.....your points....as well as those of the essayist,are well thought out,heart felt and thought provoking...i thouroughly enjoyed the read....thanks

 

[cussin'it]

You're welcome, the point is for us all to think, to feel, feel for our country and the true aims of our Democracy. What we are fighting against is exactly what happens when power goes unchecked, when greed and want corrupts.

But our gov't must be held accountable and answer to the charge that it may have helped create and foster this monster while our sights were set on Iran.

Now that we are on this course we have to follow through, both at the present and in the future.
Pray that the Almighty protect the brave, the families who've sacrificed, and the innocents caught in the middle.

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[entropy]

very long -- too long to read all but the civil war recreation was extremely moving.

For it seems to me that if you are against any war – if you believe that peace is always the right choice -- then you must believe at least one, if not both of the following:

1. People will always be able to come to a reasonable agreement, no matter how deep or contentious the issue, and that all people are rational, reasonable, honorable, decent and sane,

or,

2. It is more noble to live under slavery and oppression, to endure torture, institutionalized rape, theft and genocide than it is to fight it.

neither point justifies the invasion of Iraq where neither Iraqis or the muslim world welcome same. ie they would rather live under 2) than occupied by the US.

 

[cussin'it]

like i said, i may not necessarily agree with this 2-point conclusion, though it does provoke thought and reason.

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[radiofreecostarica]

I am very skeptical of those who possess power, for power and wealth have the ability to corrupt,

Imagine the world as a village. Countries are people. If power corrupts an individual, absolute power-- post Cold War Era-- has certainly corrupted the United States.
So, what to do? I agree. I too, am very skeptical of those seated at the top...

 

[cussin'it]

well, one way available to us all is accountability, to elect those best suited for the complex task of governing, especially at the local and state levels, where your voice has the greater effect. Those folks that will stand by democratic principle and yet be flexible to welcome debate and incorporate the many varied, legitimate concerns into rational policy decision-making.

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the world is not a utopia.....and some will always hold sway over others.....would you rather the powerful be governed by a series of checks and balances?.....or that they be all powerful and go unchecked,as saddam`s regime has gone unchecked..free to invade other neighboring countries,lob scuds or nuclear weapons into other countries sitting on their hands,gas their own citizens to impose their will .....we all know,that congress would have o.k.`ed this action....that`s why a resolution wasn`t vehemently demanded..it was thought it would lend credibility to to the administration`s decision by those in opposition...and although the u.n. disagreed with the coalition`s action,why are countries like france now decrying saddam as a vicious despot and now declaring support for our action?.....the world is a village?.....c`mon radio....you aren`t hillary clinton are you?

 

[cussin'it]

Radio, I respect your sentiment, but though I'm a skeptic, I really don't believe in my heart that our leaders are corrupt as a group.
That's a pretty dim view of a system that strives hard to protect its citizens and promotes equality and justice more so than any other existing democracy.
I just feel that there are some who are beholden to a small set of special interests and so goes their allegiance. It has been a growing concern, but those who are "bought and paid for" are the minority, not the majority.

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[Oceans11]

I think that a certain type of person is driven by the desire for power, they are opportunist, they are devious, and they can never ever be trusted.

Maggie Thatcher hated the communists/USSR but if she had been born there she would have striven to reach the top of the party hierarchy, and made a very good hardline politburo member.

2c

 

[corey]

Totally 100% agree eek. I think most politicians are power-mad freaks.

As for accountability, does anyone believe that GWB is the best president the US could have right now (regardless of left or right)??

 

[entropy]

"in individuals, insanity is rare: but in groups, parties, nations and epochs it is the rule." nietzsche

power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Lord Astor.

guess who has too much power?

 

madonna?