Feel free to skip the following
Jan. 7th, 2003 06:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ambitious_wenchI received this from my freind Heidi, a wonderful woman who recently began attending "Friends" services, aka "The Quakers". It is political in nature, and as such is likely to cause divisions. So be it. In this, I am willing to be counted among the peace-nics.
Now, for those that want to read such things:
10 Reasons to Oppose the War with Iraq
1. War with Iraq won't make us safer.
A unilateral attack by the United States will inflame anti-U.S. sentiment
and may stimulate more attacks by extremists.
2. There is no imminent threat.
There is no hard evidence that Iraq has nuclear weapons. Iraq has little
means to deliver chemical and biological weapons to threaten countries in
the Middle East, let alone the U.S.
3. A preemptive attack violates the U.N. charter.
The U.N. Charter forbids member countries from attacking another country
except in self defense. If the U.S. puts itself above international law it
will further encourage other nations to do the same.
4. Our allies don't support us in this war.
U.S. allies in the Middle East oppose a U.S. attack on Iraq. Our European
allies have urged the U.S. to work through the U.N. An invasion of Iraq
would isolate the U.S. from the rest of the world and shatter the principles
of international cooperation and mutual defense that are key to U.S. and
global security.
5. Thousands of innocent people may die.
Pentagon estimates say that an invasion of Iraq could lead to the deaths of
10,000 innocent civilians.
6. Young American men and women will fight and die.
U.S. military action and possible occupation is likely to produce far more
casualties than the previous Gulf War or the war in Afghanistan. Many
combatants will suffer physical and psychological repercussions for years
after the war ends.
7. Funding for education, environment and health care is already being cut
in order to pay for the "war on terror."
Estimates put the cost of a war with Iraq at $60-$100 billion with ongoing
billions for occupation and rebuilding Iraq.
8. Things may not be better after a war.
We have no guarantee that a new regime in Iraq will make life any better for
the Iraqi people or be any friendlier to the U.S. than the current one. The
Taliban were once our allies in Afghanistan. Will the new regime in Iraq
become our enemy after a few years?
9. There are other options.
The U.S. can work through the U.N. using mechanisms such as the resumption
of weapons inspections, negotiation, mediation, regional arrangements, and
other peaceful means.
10. The American people have deep misgivings about this war.
Many people know deep down that this war makes no sense. They are starting
to speak up and make themselves heard. You can add your voice to activities
in your community.
Now, for those that want to read such things:
10 Reasons to Oppose the War with Iraq
1. War with Iraq won't make us safer.
A unilateral attack by the United States will inflame anti-U.S. sentiment
and may stimulate more attacks by extremists.
2. There is no imminent threat.
There is no hard evidence that Iraq has nuclear weapons. Iraq has little
means to deliver chemical and biological weapons to threaten countries in
the Middle East, let alone the U.S.
3. A preemptive attack violates the U.N. charter.
The U.N. Charter forbids member countries from attacking another country
except in self defense. If the U.S. puts itself above international law it
will further encourage other nations to do the same.
4. Our allies don't support us in this war.
U.S. allies in the Middle East oppose a U.S. attack on Iraq. Our European
allies have urged the U.S. to work through the U.N. An invasion of Iraq
would isolate the U.S. from the rest of the world and shatter the principles
of international cooperation and mutual defense that are key to U.S. and
global security.
5. Thousands of innocent people may die.
Pentagon estimates say that an invasion of Iraq could lead to the deaths of
10,000 innocent civilians.
6. Young American men and women will fight and die.
U.S. military action and possible occupation is likely to produce far more
casualties than the previous Gulf War or the war in Afghanistan. Many
combatants will suffer physical and psychological repercussions for years
after the war ends.
7. Funding for education, environment and health care is already being cut
in order to pay for the "war on terror."
Estimates put the cost of a war with Iraq at $60-$100 billion with ongoing
billions for occupation and rebuilding Iraq.
8. Things may not be better after a war.
We have no guarantee that a new regime in Iraq will make life any better for
the Iraqi people or be any friendlier to the U.S. than the current one. The
Taliban were once our allies in Afghanistan. Will the new regime in Iraq
become our enemy after a few years?
9. There are other options.
The U.S. can work through the U.N. using mechanisms such as the resumption
of weapons inspections, negotiation, mediation, regional arrangements, and
other peaceful means.
10. The American people have deep misgivings about this war.
Many people know deep down that this war makes no sense. They are starting
to speak up and make themselves heard. You can add your voice to activities
in your community.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Obstacle.
Date: 2003-01-08 04:32 pm (UTC)I think the logic they're going to use is "well, if Canada supports us, that ought to look good for everybody. They don't have a very huge pro-war stance, and if they support us, that will mean a lot".
If that's all crap, allow me to reword it. I think they're kind of reaching for "justification" that'll mean more to the international community than their own rhetoric.