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Originally posted by Sun Tzu
[B]guthmund, it’s a valid question and an understandable standpoint. Especially if you read some of my posts from the previous TFP; I was using the name Solaradz---.
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I certainly remember quite a few of your posts. I also remember enjoying more than a few.
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The video itself wasn’t the only element that guided my conclusion and action. (edit)
I hope that answers the question of my shift and the correlation of the video.
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I ask because all too often I see people's opinion swayed sometimes to do 180 degree turn based on little evidence and high emotion. However, I'm glad to see that intense thought and careful balancing of emotions and evidence led you to your decision.
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To answer the other question; “Should we police every else’s problems?” ... While it seems President Bush makes decisions stemming from his own judgment, I'm sure during important foreign policy issues he’s surrounded with suggestions and feedback covering the entire spectrum.... That is what I hope happens behind closed doors.
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There is no doubt in my mind that the President has surrounded himself with very smart people and I'm sure the President is very sincere in his remarks. There are a few in the administration that I respect tremendously (Powell, Rice, Franks, even Mr. Ridge) and the others I fear tremendously (Rumsfeld, Cheney to name a few).
With the smug attitude that these guys carry around, I find it hard to trust them and when they talk of 'national security' every fiber of my being begins screaming in warning.
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In asking should we wage war till we right all the wrongs; I'm unclear on whether you’re stating what I think the present administration should do or what I would do if I were president.
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My intent was either/or.
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I'll give you a simple answer to keep it short, but understand I’m only on the surface. IMO if innocent men, women, and children are being destroyed I have a problem with it. There are a few areas of the world I think we should be doing more about, but that’s my opinion. I hope that if open massacres were occurring, someone would do something. I would have a hard time relaxing and feeling right if I was complacent about human suffering.
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While I feel that all the above should be dealt with, I also feel that if the United States Government wants to right wrongs and help the people, they should start in their own backyard. Until we have dealt with other important issues concerning America, i.e. Public Education, Welfare Reform, Social Security, Unemployment, America should step off the soapbox and stop telling the world how to run itself.
I'd like to think that if I had been living in Iraq during the 20 + years Saddam was in office, I could've managed to find the border or hop a boat somewhere else. I have no sympathy for those who willingly live under the rule of a tyrannical despot simply because they feel there is no other way.
There is always another way. And it really is that simple.
I just don't feel that the United States is the paragon of Moral leadership in the world. I don't think that our soldiers should be policing the world stage. It's obvious, by reaction, that our efforts are either unappreciated or unwanted. We 'liberate' the Iraqi people and now they spit on us and tell us to leave. We are sacrificing the homefront so these guys can instill democracy in a historically turbulent area and this is the thanks that we get?
Is it really worth it? Wouldn't the 70 billion (correct me if I'm wrong) dollars we asked for to pay for this War on Iraq, not to mention the billions we spent on the War on Terror be put to better use here in America itself? I don't know how much the Iraqis appreciate the billions (not much by the demonstrations I've seen on television) but I know families in the midwest who'd love to see that money go towards education, affordable healthcare and in reducing unemployment.