(no subject)

[violachic]

I'm exhausted. I'm frustrated. I'm worn down.

Two protests in one day yet I still feel like I'm not doing enough. I sort of feel like I have to go way out of my way to do more now, as penance for not doing enough before to actually stop the war.

Its so scary.

So far, the US has something like twelve reported casualties. Two were actually killed in combat.

Ten were killed in accidents.

What's wrong with this picture?!?!?

I need to find out how to track civilian casualties.

Did you know that in the last gulf war, the US lost about 150 servicemen/women to combat.

The US also lost about the same amount due to accidents and "friendly fire" (don't EVEN get me started on the whole topic of "friendly fire").

There were over 150,000 Iraqi CIVILIAN casualties.

You know, everyone has their own opinion. I feel very strongly about mine, and I know people of conflicting opinions who also feel very strongly. That's fine, that's all great. Last I checked, this IS America. In fact, I encourage people to form an opinion about the war. Even if its not the same as mine.

I will tell you what really gets me, though. Two things.

1)People who think that this doesn't affect them at all. Apathy. Y'know, it DOES affect you. In a very large way.

2)People who go around saying stuff like "yeah, I'm so glad we're going in to kill all those damn arabs" or something like that. THEY'RE PEOPLE! I can't believe how callous some people are about human life. It is very scary.


PEOPLE ARE NOT COLLATERAL DAMAGE


Pray for peace.

I've hardly slept the last few days. I can't get it off my mind. I try to distract myself, but then I feel guilty for distracting myself. I'm scared.

Comments

[katinkorea.livejournal.com]

If you want to research civilian casualties you will need to go to international news sources. I heard UN estimates that 1/2 Iraqi's could die this time.

What irks me about this is that people feel we are fighting for freedom. I heard a soldier interviewed who said "it's not like they can pay us back or anything, and they are a poor country, but because we are Americans we have to fight for their freedom."

Despite what the media says, the Iraqi's do not want us there. And what angers me is that they are NO threat to us and when WMD's are not found, or sketchy evidence is presented, the world will know what fools our leaders are. If they are so repressed, why not let them take care of it? Why not let someone in there assasinate him? Obviously the goal is occupation.

Re:

[violachic.livejournal.com]

And the saddest thing is, that soldier is most likely completely sincere in his sentiment. I'm sure he really believes that.

I was bothered by the footage the other day of citizens dancing in the streets. From what I have heard from Iraqi expatriots and those with family still in Iraq, I agree with you. They do NOT want us there and they really don't want us to "liberate" them.

Yes, their leader is a monster. A monster WE created. I have heard reports of some horrendous treatment our POWs are getting at their hands. If you are aware of the consequences an action will have, then you proceed with that action, do not act shocked when you actually have to FACE the consequences. This is not a slam on our troops, this is a slam on our leaders. They have led our troops to slaughter, and while I have every bit of sympathy for the pain and suffering they will endure, I have not a whit of pity for the supposed indignation our leaders are assuming.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend you go see the movie "The Quiet American".

Re:

[katinkorea.livejournal.com]

Yes! We trained Saddam and we trained Osama... we thought we could control these monsters and now the same people are telling us we need to go to war. Screw that.

I will check out the Quiet American, is it on video?

Oh, and I made a mistake in my past post... I meant to say that 1/2 million Iraqis will die by UN estimates.

Haha... my coworker sent me a picture of someone holding a sign in support of Bush with "that's my man!" in the subject line. I sent him back a picture from the Chicago protest of Bush with a Hitler mustache with "here's your man, sucker."

Re:

[violachic.livejournal.com]

The Quiet American should be in first-run theaters still. It was only recently released. I heard that it was supposed to be released some time ago but since it contains anti-American sentiments it was quashed in the post 9-11 backlash. Much of it, to me anyway, smacks of what is going on in Iraq right now.

Are you in Chicago?

Re:

[katinkorea.livejournal.com]

Yep... living in Bucktown. I have been living here just over a year since moving to the states with my Korean hubby. He is still waiting on his greencard. I think INS is being esp. hard on Korean and arabs these days. It doesn't help that I refuse to change my last name so they are not sure if we have a "real" marriage (I didn't want to become Cathy Lee and plus I like my extra long spanish name).

I will look for the Quiet American. Another thing about the Oscars on Sunday that I found interesting was that people (besides Michael Moore) were trying to be centralists concerning the issue. There was Nicole Kidman with "I feel so guilty when there is so much suffering" and Adrien Brody from the Pianist (still need to see that) who was saying "I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution." Everyone clapped and he wasn't necessarily anti-war in his speech, but later I saw in a picture he was wearing a peace pin.

It alarms me that we are crucifying anyone who is speaking out on this, from Michael Moore to the Dixie Chicks when this is so obviously wrong. This whole war defies common sense. I think that as more Americans come back in body bags, however, things will change.

Anyway I just had to rant. I get so disturbed by what is going on.

Re:

[violachic.livejournal.com]

Rant away. I agree completely.