For Test Only

I accept that Saddam is a nasty tyrant. I could even accept an initiative to challenge his control in Iraq. But I feel the actions taken by the US have been heavy handed and globally divisive. A large part of the world finds this deadly war wrong. The public reasons to attack Iraq given by George and Tony are clearly false. The claim that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction as well as having active connections to terrorist groups is unproven. And an acceptable case for war has not been made. Yet they go in anyway. Much of the respect for America around the world has come into question and has been replaced by contempt. How can it be productive in the war on terrorism or the advancement of world peace or the betterment of counties like Iraq if America is so detested in so much of the world, especially in countries it claims to be liberating?

America's refusal to cooperate within the framework of the United Nations is and will, I believe, set America on a backward track. The UN is all we have for reasoned, civilized resolution of world problems. The fact that a country that is suspected of having weapons of mass destruction is willing to allow inspectors free access is a precedent that could have continued to other countries like Iran and North Korea. This is an initiative that could realistically lead toward world disarmament. True world progress. Yet the US chose to ignore the UN and significant world opinion. This certainly reveals the Bush administration's true imperialist intentions.

So how is it that so many Americans, many of them thoughtful and intelligent, believe that the war is just and worthwhile? Part of it is the concept of backing the chief commander without question, like good soldiers "ours is not to reason why - ours is but to do and die". Part of it is through control and manipulation of the media. The 'embedded' reporters; the non objective analysts; the war games generals; CNN and especially Fox. Our much more balanced CBC has, I feel, contributed to a much greater understanding by Canadians to what's happening and the reasons. Aside from the 'weapons of mass destruction' and 'terrorist ties' rhetoric there is little talk on the reasons to go to war in the American media. Many Americans just simply refuse to accept the concept that the leaders of their country could be so wrong.