By Derek J. Hanson (contact: liberty@djhonline.com)
February 1, 2005
There has been much talk over the past couple of years about the so-called war in Iraq (although technically, Congress never actually declared a war). I could go on and on about how I feel regarding the “war” and the following occupation, or how the media tends to emphasize the number of U.S. military personnel who have died but not mention the far greater number (hundreds of thousands) of innocent Iraqis we have killed, or how much taxpayer money has been spent. But many others have already written about these very important topics. I would like to discuss a subject of which I hear very little: how supporting our troops is a disservice to humanity!
As a Libertarian, I believe strongly in individual freedom and personal responsibility. I extend this belief to our military personnel, in the sense that they should be held responsible for their own actions, as individuals. I realize that some would argue that they are only following orders from their superiors, and that those superiors are only following orders from even higher authorities. Eventually, it goes all the way up to the Commander-in-Chief, our elected President. While many like to criticize President Bush for getting us into this horrible mess (and I’m one of them!), few seem to also be willing to hold the individuals directly responsible for the deaths and destruction of homes and businesses in Baghdad and all across Iraq accountable. I understand that soldiers would have major repercussions if they chose to disobey the orders directed to them. However, I do not understand how they can live with themselves knowing the degree of destruction they cause.
Each and every one of our troops are terrorists, plain and simple! They terrorize the Iraqis like those “evil-doers” terrorized us on September 11, 2001. I don’t support terrorists.
How is it that people say they oppose the war, but support the troops? Will somebody please explain this to me? It is simply a nonsensical and illogical position. If one opposes the war, they must also oppose those who carry out the atrocities that stem from fighting the war. If one opposes the billions and billions of dollars spent on Operation Iraqi Freedom, how can they possibly support the troops who execute the duties that consume this money? John Kerry claimed he opposed the war but supported our troops; he must not have realized the absurdity of such an argument.
Please be true to yourself. Please consider logic and reasonable thought when thinking about this insane “war” and our troops whom we send to fight it. Please think about those innocent Iraqis whose lives we have forever changed for the worse. OPPOSE OUR TROOPS!