War? Yes, No, Maybe... [Archive]

headscratcher4

14th February 2003, 06:11 AM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/antiwar/story/0,12809,895575,00.htm

I post this opinion peice from today's Guardian because, though a Brit view, it notes a lot of things that are on my mind both about the prospect of war and the "peace" movement...anyway, I thought it interesting...

the particular article is titled: Why I Won't Be Marching.

Jon_in_london

14th February 2003, 06:18 AM

Spot on. Absolutely 100% spot on.

And from the linked article:

"He has the fence firmly stuck up his arse," a friend recently remarked of the poet laureate's position on Iraq.

Yup, feel just the same here mate!

Also of interest is the way the guy from the linked article lists the probable motivation for war.

· A feeling that this is part of a broader "war against terrorism" which since September 11 is a fight for the homeland security of the US, 20%.

· A genuine conviction that Saddam with weapons of mass destruction poses a major threat to the free world, 20%.

· Frustration at not being able to get Osama bin Laden or wrap up al-Qaida, coupled with the conviction that you can at least use your vast military power to defeat Saddam, 15%.

· A sense of unfinished business from the first Gulf war, plus George Bush's personal anger at "the guy who tried to kill my dad", 15%.

· An initial calculation by Bush's political adviser Karl Rove, perhaps now regretted, of domestic political advantage, 10%.

· A sense that there's no way back. How can Bush go into the next presidential election with Saddam still in power? 10%.

· That hope of transforming the Middle East, also to the long-term advantage of Israel, 5%.

· Oil, 5%.

Interesting that he only reckons oil to be 5%.