In Which I Get Angry, Give a History Lesson, and Get a Little Carried Away

I have been increasingly troubled by the non-sequitur propaganda which has seeped in to many people's collective unconscious. Namely, that if you are anti-war you hate America.

Imperialism was the hot-button topic at the turn of the 20th century, and I am somewhat distressed to find that the same issues are still current at the dawn of the 21st. Once we'd taken part of the Pacific, some of Central America, thought about seizing Cuba from the Spaniards, and wound up embroiled in the Phillipines with no real idea what to do with them, American Imperialism gave way to Isolationism, such a popular idea that we also got President Wilson in the deal as well. But we got dragged into WWII by the catastrophic events at Pearl Harbor and spent the better part of the next 50 years fighting around the globe for interests that weren't really that material to our freedom. Korea, Vietnam, and the ongoing Cold War - all challenged the way of life (or more precisely the economic system) of people in other countries. And this is more of the same.

When the U.S. liberated the Phillipines at the end of the 1800s, it was like the dog that caught the car it had been chasing. Now that you've got it, what do you do with it? We had left the country without leadership, having deposed the government. We didn't want to take over the island, we couldn't leave the country to run itself because it couldn't, and unless we took over the place we would have handed it straight to the Germans which nobody wanted. Sound familiar?

Now that we have caught Iraq, what do we do with it?

I agree we can't just leave without patching up the mess we've made of their country and its political structure, but I can no longer abide the "flying blind" that seems to be the main strategy. I was told we'd be out by January 2005; I was told "Mission Accomplished;" I am now told it will be a "few more years," all in articles appearing right next to those listing who died over there that day or announcing that Halliburton didn't really mean to make such large profits on non-bid contracts with the government.

And STILL nobody has shown me the WMD.

And STILL nobody has shown me that the Iraqi government is responsible for terrorist threats to the U.S.

And STILL I have to watch as we continue to tick off the better part of the Arab world.

I am tired of listening to this - I am tired of paying taxes for this - I am tired of my country going further into debt for this - I am tired of watching others pay for this with their lives.

But because I do not agree with the war DOES NOT mean that I hate this country. On the contrary, I love this country enough to make use of the precious freedom it provides. Raising my voice in dissent is an act which exemplifies the most uniquely American freedom; daring to express an opinion celebrates the very best about the basis of the country. I may hate what the government does, I may hate what the president does, I may hate the manner in which my elected officials choose to spend the taxes I pay, but speaking out and expressing those opinions do NOT mean that I hate the country.

I am tired of this being spun so many times that the public is starting to believe it. Dissent does not equal unpatriotism, despite whatever you may hear.
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The other misconception that is driving me nuts is that we're in Iraq to "fight for our country's freedom." I've heard this from Congressmen, I've heard this from parents and families of service members, I've heard this from friends, and I wonder if any one has been paying attention. This is NOT a war about our freedom, it is a war about freeing the residents of a nation a world away from a dictatorial government and a restrictive society. Even more perplexing to me is that the people advocating that we should free the Iraqis from the restrictions imposed by their religions are the same people telling me that we can't teach teenagers about safe sex because God doesn't approve. It makes want to scream.
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I am tired of people not paying attention. Of taking the press releases, taking the spin, taking other people's points of view and swallowing them hook, line, sinker, and without even a moment's pause to consider their own thoughts on the matter. I would be content not if everyone changed their point of view to mine, but if everyone could just articulate their own point of view and show, even for just a split second, that they understand it. Because I don't think that most people have a clue.

I think most people have gotten their opinions second hand. From cable news, from pundits, from spin-meisters, from campaign consultants, from commentators and it pisses me off to no end. But those are precisely the people whose job it is to make sure that you get their version of the story. I think most of the populace supposes it's easier than thinking for their own selves.
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I am against going into an armed conflict without a coherent plan.

I am in favor of anyone who chooses to pray to whatever diety they choose or none at all.

I am against invoking the tenets or principles of any specific religion, including my own, to justify, direct, or command government policy.

I am against throwing the idea of checks and balances out the window under the pretense that our nation is threatened. We've always been threatened. From without, from within, there have always been people set on causing mayhem and bringing the government down. This is not different enough to permit the executive branch to do whatever it damn well pleases.

While we're on the topic, I rather like my constitutional rights. I want the judicial branch regulating whether or not the Department of Justice and NSA get invited into my personal life if I don't at least get to know about it. The idea of probable cause is more attractive to me than "just trust us."

I am for the idea of responsible spending. I work hard to pay my taxes and there are certain things which I believe get me more bang for the buck. I'd gladly settle for a few less missiles and have more kids in programs like Head Start; a little more oversight of non-bid government contracts and many more teenagers who know how to keep pregnancy and STDs from happening to them.

I don't always agree with the status quo, I don't always like the direction our leaders are headed, and I don't hate America.

So Ann Coulter can kiss my ...