If we go to war with Iran, it will be in a roundabout way. Israel will start it, and we'll support them. But everyone will know who was REALLY behind it.

I'm just not convinced that Russia, Iran, or China are actually THREATS to us. They have power and nuclear weapons, sure, but are they actual threats? This new era of "preemptive" or "preventative" wars seems to allow war with anyone who might even be remotely construed as a threat (based on power) even if they are not threatening us explicitly.

Good luck to your friend in the military, N-Z. I have great sympathy for all of those caught in this conflict. While I don't support our reasons for going to Iraq, I do support all of our troops who are there.

I am completely against this, as you put it PE, preemptive war that Bush seems to like. As much as a threat some countries may be, you cannot attack them for that sole reason.

quote:

I have great sympathy for all of those caught in this conflict. While I don't support our reasons for going to Iraq, I do support all of our troops who are there.

I completely agree with you. But in most cases when I show any distaste for this current war, I hear those that completely support Bush no matter what he does tell me something such as "You don't care about the troops." Every American should genuinely care about our troops fighting for their lives in a war that they may not agree with.

I think crediting preemptive (or preventative) war to Bush was errant on my part...it has historical roots in Just War Theorists like Aquinas, Suarez, Vitoria, and Gentili. But it's obvious people in the Bush administration are fans of it.

As far as your second point goes, I've been a victim of that attack, as well. You dislike Bush, you disagree with the war in Iraq...you hate the troops and you hate America! It's a crap argument made by people who can't do much more than shout talking points at me. I strongly support our armed forces, and since I can't control their fate, I can wish them the best and hope they get to come home soon.