On Monday, March 24, 2003, at 10:26 PM, XXXX wrote:
Hello Brian,
Is there a reason you're still living in this country? I don't understand why you haven't moved to a nicer place like Iraq???
If our government is upsetting you this much, I believe you should do everyone a favor and either run for a government position where you can change our so called "errant ways" or move to a different country.
Sincerely, XXXX
Here is my response...
XXXX,
I might as well already be living in Iraq if disagreeing with my country's leaders is forbidden. You seem to think that the best thing for this country would be better off without dissent or protest... talk about "the terrorists win". This country was FOUNDED by dissent and protest, i.e. the Revolutionary War (which we would not have been won withOUT the French, in case you're not up on your history).
My position on the war with Iraq is not some arbitrary, automatic revolt against authority derived from youth or insubordination. I've come to my position based on education and research. EVERY day for the past six months I have spent at least 2-4 hours reading a wide variety of news sources. I haven't based my beliefs on any singular opinion, but rather I have found my own perspective on the situation and spoken out accordingly.
Despite what you may believe, the situation in Iraq is not black and white. While I am well aware of what an immense evil Saddam Hussein is[1], I absolutely believe that this war will not solve Iraq's problems and ultimately cause even more horrific events worldwide. If you want me to, I will provide you with a comprehensive summary why I believe this, but it would be much better for you to look into it more yourself.
A good start would be to read "Myths and misconceptions about Iraq" (http://www.spinsanity.org/columns/20030320.html), and don't just take their word for it, go to google and research every point in the column for yourself, just as I did.
I believe in this country, but I am afraid of it at the same time. Too many Americans are all too caught up in the b.s. of their own lives to take the time to actually learn about what's going on. I support our troops the only way that makes sense to me, I don't want them to go to war and die for an unjustified war.
One thing I can't understand here, Mike, is how can a Christian (one who lives by the teachings of and emulates the behavior of Jesus Christ), can support war in any circumstance. We've all heard the phrase, "What would Jesus do?", well let's take that a step further and ask "What would Jesus BOMB?"
While your e-mail has deeply troubled me, I want to tell you that I sincerely, from the bottom of my soul, hope you are right. I hope that someday soon this war will be over. I hope that the world will be a safer place when that day comes. And I hope that the leaders of our country and others have made the right decisions so that your son will not be fighting this war 10 years from now.
With love and friendship, Brian
Below is the same list of news sites that I read every day, they run the full spectrum of political biases:
http://news.google.com/
http://www.cnn.com/
http://www.foxnews.com/
http://csmonitor.com/usa/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
http://www.salon.com/
http://www.alternet.org/
http://www.weeklystandard.com/
http://www.tnr.com/
http://www.motherjones.com/
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