Wading in the Velvet Sea

Thanks for your response. Contrary to my insinuation of an anti-liberation stance, I too fall into the hazy moderate murk. I don't believe in the altruism/right reasons of our administration and it's hawkish advisors, however-that same cynicism about the true nature of this global game applies to all players. I am more anti-Bush administration than anti-war, and the truly darker side of my inner mental workings thinks that the war should last for a while, dragging popular sentiment about the efficacy of this administration down with it. Peace in this world will not be created through protests, or war. Frankly, putting ideals into action seems to be hindered by the lying...I mean marketing of both political pundits, elected officials and corporations alike. Extremes beget reaction..not thoughtful action with long term purpose. In many ways, I feel this war is reaction and is therefore short-sighted and will be devastating to long term peace for our global society. At the same time, when you engage in the kind of mechanations(sp?) that typify nation-state backroom dealings, it warrants this sort of response sometimes. But we don't work towards changing the system itself by protecting/opposing the product it creates.

I like how you phrase things. Clear, concise, and without any of the unwarranted rantings one hears or reads so often with regards to controversial subjects. I myself am more on the "why are you there?" side of things; "you" because I'm a Canadian. But wait, we have troops there as well. Unofficially of course. I believe the American ambassador to Canada said today that it's interesting how the Canadian government is officially against this war, but is unofficially one of it's largest supporters, what with the ships in the Gulf and all. But I digress.

I have often tried to make the point you wrote about above; it's the "silent majority". I suppose people use insults and ridiculour rhetoric because of lack of anger management and control...and tact. It's impossible to have a proper conversation with someone who insults you at every turn just because they disagree with you.

As for my stance with regard to the war, I suppose it's biased via media reports, because I remember thinking last year, where'd this conflict come from? There was nothing to suggest in mainstream media that an official conflict of any sort was about to occur. And then came the Axis of Evil speech.

In any case, now that it's started, who am I to protest it? It's started, and it's not going to stop until it's over. I'll just remain slightly cynical about motives and outcomes, and hope that it all ends soon...but then there'll be the aftermath and that's a whole other kettle of fish to kafuffle over.

We need to hear more moderate voices, indeed. Because whether we want to admit it or not, there's no way we can all know everything there is to know about this situation. The government lies, the media lies - everyone lies. And the information that gets to us is filtered in millions of ways. We just have to sift through it all and draw our own conclusions.

Can't we ever talk about anything happy. Usually the big stories are about war and such, but why can't we all focus on other things as well like...I don't know.. we still have 1,000 some acres of non populated land left in the US..whoo hoo. just a thought.

Jada- Oh how do I echo your sentiment! I'm a public realtions person, and thus, constantly immersed in the "bad news" and sensationalism that plagues this crazy nation. I think that somewhere along the lines, people became less interested in happy and good stuff because the majority of people out there aren't happy themselves. But I tap into a philosophical and psychological arena... and oh, no, don't go there. I wish I had an answer for you, me and everyone, but the bottom line is... America likes nasty car accidents, serial killers, and drama-plagued celebrities... all while eating dinner.

Moderates of the World Unite! - We are the true silent majority and need to start expressing our middle of the road -considered all sides-pondered the facts -point of view. It's easy and maybe a little fun to get carried away by the "rah-rah" extremism of patriotism or the 60's revived, with their snappy motto's that so neatly fit on the placards waved on main street, But I prefer to hold out for the more complex, not easily answered or defined point of view. Yes, I prefer to sit on the fence. (What a great perspective it is looking out over the neighbourhood sitting atop the 6ft. high privacy fence) As you may have already garnered by now, by my middle of the road values, I'm also glad to be Canadian. We, Canadians are the moderate, not too excitable, think things over first, little brother in the North American Family. We want everyone to play fair in peace, and we want all our Brothers and Sisters overseas to return home safely. We also make great beer. How could anyone disagree with that.

It seems that related to the issue of whether or not one can be anti-war and pro-soldier simultaneously is the issue of whether or not you can support someone when they are doing something you think is wrong--that is, can you condemn an action while still (for lack of better word) 'loving' or supporting a person? I don't think that I can, in good faith, say I am pro-soldier--because I don't support the war, so I don't think it would be consistent of me to support the people who are involved in it. Nonetheless, as an American I definitely hope for their safety--but that safety can only be had if there is 1. a decisive victory where relatively few US soldiers are killed or 2. a large-scale surrender by the Iraqi forces and government, which stops the physical aspect of warfare or 3. an immediate withdrawal of US troops. It seems that 1. is the most likely to happen but none of the above are for certain. However, I can't be anti-war in this respect and still hope that the US wins quickly and decisively--that would be hypocritical and inconsistent.

Therefore, I cannot call myself pro-soldier. This term "pro-soldier" was used by Ryan, originator of this blog, and perhaps some other contributors. Nonetheless, the more I think about it, the less I know what it means. I realized that when I say I care for their safety and welfare, and that I pray for their families, what I meant was that as human beings, as my neighbors and colleagues and friends, I wholeheartedly support them--but in their capacity as soldiers, I cannot. I am sure that some will think that I am ungrateful for those that put their lives on the line to defend my freedom, though since I don't believe that my freedom is truly imperiled by Saddam in the first place, I cannot see this as a war of self-defense. I don't want them to die in Iraq--I would rather have them alive, preferably at home, doing something fruitful with their lives and only risking it when the existence of the country is at stake (or we are under imminent attack)

I agree with the majority of the moderate views posted here. I wish there were more outlets for us moderate thinkers to express our opinions. If you're not extreme left or right, you're opinion is just drowned out but the rants and screams.