It is truly fortunate indeed...
that we live in a country where we are entitled to our opinions and are not oppressed by our government for expressing them should they not agree with the views of said government. Few people in countries around the world today can say the same.
Regarding our current president, I found him the lesser of the two evils during elections. At least we knew where he stood and didn't sway every way the winds of politics blew. God, how I hate politics and politicians. (lawyers too, but that's a different subject)
In spite of myself, I know there is a necessity for such.
As for today's wars that we fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, those who believe they are fought for oil are truly fools. Today's wars are fought primarily for self-defense. Today's wars are fought against terrorism.
I served my country since I graduated high school in June of 1983. I was in the Marines when my brothers in arms in Beirut were killed by the cowardly terrorists. I am not ashamed to say that I wept along with God-only-knows how many other Marines at the news of the bombing. Were it not for our politicians and a great amount of self-restraint, many thousands of Marines would gladly have gone over there to 'kill everyone and let God sort them out' as many of us were more than willing to do had we been given the 'green light'.
Yes, more than 1800 American fighting men and women have been killed in Iraq to date since the start of the war. Many more will die, that is certain. What is also certain is that they are needed to fight that conflict in Iraq and in Afghanistan, for if they were not dying fighting those wars in those countries, you can be certain that there would be far more people dying over here in AMERICA because the terrorists went unchallenged!
I don't truly believe that we are over in Iraq for so noble a cause as liberating the Iraqi people. That war is meant to keep the terrorists OVER THERE. As long as they feel they can kill American soldiers there, they are much less likely to try to come here to kill American civilians.
Think on that when you consider the sacrifices made for this country by our military. Think about that when you argue that President Bush is a warmonger and does not deserve to be our leader. Do any of you honestly believe for a moment that the war is about OIL???
No doubt there are going to be corporations vying for advantage at every chance they get. That's capitalism. Do those same corporations infiltrate our government and corrupt it? Certainly! But the fact is, terrorist bombings on American soil is bad for everyone and we're far better off fighting the terrorists where the terrorists live, NOT where we live.
I've been rather shocked and ashamed of all the name-calling and finger-pointing in this thread. Well, perhaps not so shocked after all. I had no doubt that the lives of those who were killed on 9/11 would be forgotten and that the petty squabbles would rise again above the unity we all felt for a short while afterward. Business as usuall, right?
Let us not forget who the real enemy is: Complacency. Or perhaps it's Greed. Maybe even the idealism of the self-righteous. Do not blame Princess or any of the others for voicing their opinions. Let us not argue on who is right or who is wrong in our own opinions. Let us rejoice that there are people around the world from all walks of life who are willing to lend a hand or a dollar or a candy bar to those who desperately need it.
Cav, thank you very much for sharing those photographs and experiences with us. I have seen many such acts of kindness by our government and military and civilian aid personnel throughout my years in the military. I'm proud to have served not just my country, but others in need as well.
All hope for humanity is not lost as long as there are those who are willing to help others in need.
Sincerely,
Erik
