[moe.ron]

If I wanted to instigate, you would know. If I called your husband a baby killer, I would say so. I don't go around the bushes. Again, I expect an apology for accusing me of being an instigator and accusing me of accusing your husband as a baby killer.

As for war, why do you think we wage war? There are 3 main reasons. I will exclude the self-defense because that will involved 100% of the war. Instead, I will focus on the cause, the effect of war.

1. Ideology. War has been waged on ideology. Though, most of the time, ideology is being used to cover up for number the following.

2. Resources. This is perhaps the oldest reason for war. Since the beginning of time, we have fought each other for land, and natural resources. Often time, governments use ideology to legitimize the war for resources. One can look at Palestine as a good example. Both side use ideology for the battle over land.

3. Sphere of influence. This can also use ideology to legitimize this. Vietnam War is a perfect example of a battle over the sphere of influence. It was a battle over influencing south East Asia.

4. Humanitarian purposes. This is very rare. There have been a few cases. Bosnia is perhaps a good example. I would not call peace keeping as a war because they sent there after a war is wage. So I would preclude the East Timor operations or most of the other operations in Africa and Asia.

I gather that the Iraq war is #3. You see, AEI has produced a paper about 2 to 3 years ago wanting to changed the Middle East. They content that changing it has to go through Iraq. It also help that most of the AEI people are former Bush I administration officials. When GWB won the election, many AEI people were put into power. Hence, the plan for the Iraqi war was waged before even September 11. They follow the premise of the 60s theory of the domino theory.

Part of my hostility about the Iraqi conflict is that

#1. It was illegal. Resolution 1441 does not give authorization to invade the country. It threatens Iraq with future resolution to authorize the use of force. There have been only 2 Security Council resolutions which authorized the use of force, the Korean War, and the Gulf War Pt. 1.

#2. It sets bad precedent. Pre-emptive strike is illegal, under the UN charter and international relations. Also, it now gives the green light for other nations with past grudges to settle. China is making wave with Taiwan. And I know damn well that they are looking at this pre-emptive strike in Iraq as a legitimate strategy against them.

Now you know why I’m against the war.