I would just like to post some very brief thoughts (the other thoughts, be it more important or not, have been mentioned; we're at the stage where pretty much every possible opinion has been stated) on war.
Like I said before, the second I saw Bush force his way into presidency (he was not elected) I knew he would lead us to war. At the time I used the words "He will make us go to war". The fact is, his dad didn't finish the job, Iraq paid for that in 12 years of suffering, and now Bush wants to finish his dad's job.
There is something people overlook: Why other nations do not like the US. Fact: The US walks on top of EVERY country to its own advantage; so those speaking of France looking out only for themselves, they have no room to talk. Watch Bush's next move. It's predictable. I've been seeing what Bush will do next by comparing him to Hitler. His moves are parallel. Hitler gained control in a similar fashion, and started getting people on his side by boosting the economy. Bush has done the same. I certainly do not mean to compare Bush with Hitler, but the similarities are there with different circumstances and instances. The fact is, if it was Iraq in the US shoes, and US in Iraq shoes, this war would still exist except the other way around (and without someone like Sadam willing to torture his own country so that he may benefit).
The difference between Bush's motives and Hitler's is that Bush does appear to be there for everyone and an overall well economy, whereas Hitler used that merely so he could gain power.
I never supported this war before, but now I do. After the first week of attacks against Iraq and now seeing how Iraq is fighting in war, I know that Bush's decision was correct. I also feel this war was NOT man's decision.
Think about this: if the US were to lose this war, what would happen to the economy? And I don't mean just the economy of North America, I mean world-wide. Imagine Saddam gaining all US power, he would surely do whatever he could to get the entire world. Why else would someone be proud of attacking America? I cannot agree with any war, but because we have countries like Iraq that cause war, it is necessary for us to fight back to protect ourselves and mankind itself. So I do support Bush, even though at times I fear his motives. The fact is, even if he wants to "rule the world" like Saddam, his plans DO include world peace. At least this is what he portrays.
I agree with many things you say but here is my viewpoint....
First... God placed Bush into the presidency (by whatever way) to deal with things like the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and Iraq. I don't (and nobody will ever) know what would have happened if Gore had beed placed there.
Second... While I don't know that I am commanded to respect President Bush as a person, I am told in the Bible that I need to respect the office of the president. Once the decision was made that placed Bush into office, I need to hold up that decision as God Ordained.
Third... While I (being a dove not a hawk) don't fully support the war, my time to protest was before the first Cruise Missle flew. After that, I feel I need to support the decisions of my country as well as the troups sacrificing for that country.
Fouth... God has this all under control... In my Sunday School class I have parents of deployed soldiers. They are concerned about their childern. There is also parents of a son in France and are concerned about the backlash that France may have toward Americans. I am also concerned about backlash toward the 1.5 million Iraqi Christians. I am thankful that my son has many years before being able to serve.
The thing that has been most distressing to me about this situation is that the standard "Christian" view is that God wants Sadam removed. While in many respects I sympathize with this view, I saw emails fly to this effect with the tag of... "Imagine 5 million christians praying...." or something like that. I wonder if we had been praying for Sadam's salvation rather than removal what would have happened.
I have been mentioning Sadam in our prayers for his salvation right here on the forum. I hope nobody missed it. Remember: "Praying for your neighbors" include Sadam.
I fully understand that people have different views about both the legitimacy of the legal process by which President Bush came to the office and about this—or any other—war. That's the beauty of living in a great democracy: we can form our own judgments.
But you compared Bush to Hitler. In my view this is insulting, offensive, and beyond disgusting. It reveals that you neither understand past history nor present events. I suggest that you spend some time learning how Hitler acquired and kept his power, and what he did with that power once he had obtained it.
When 9/11 hit, I was glad Bush was President. I'm sure a lot of people were. Too bad we may never truely know how Gore would have handled it, but right now, I don't see anyone regretting Bush being in power unless they truely believe he is the one who started the war.
Remember, since 79, we have been attacked by terrorists in one form or another on US soil, including military bunkers and a battle ship. These are all acts of war. But we did very little about them. It took the twin towers to pull it off. Each time they got braver and braver, even telling the world "We did it!" and celebrated in the streets. We slept it through....until 9/11/ not 1979, but over 20 years later!
War has been declared on the U.S. since 79, It just took over 20 years to fire back.
Kevin, your conclusions are mostly right, but you came to them through faulty means.
You make a great assumption that Bush wants to gain a whole lot of power. Frankly, if Bush had lost the election (under electoral rules, he did win the election, contrary to what so many try to say), he would have gone back to Texas and lived happily everafter. It would not have surprised me one bit that after one term he would have said it was enough. But with 9/11 and now Iraq, I'm sure he would want to stay on to see it through. The power-hungry, and those filled with political rage because they lost an election seem to me to be concentrated in another political party.
All that said, I'm wondering if we are getting our attention diverted on this board a bit. Knowing Jesus Christ and ever-learning about Him and His creation, of which we are apart (He created us naked as part of His perfect creation) and His plan of salvation for all mankind is much more unifying than trying to pry into the hearts and minds of world leaders. We can know them by the fruits they produce. Saddam is not a peace maker. A decisive victory in a war results in long-term peace when the cause is just. How anyone could conclude that a war to free people from fear, murder, torture, rape, deliberate impoverishment is not good is beyond me. Blessed are the peacemakers. Sometimes it requires war to establish peace. The Israelites of old were led in battle to roust the evil societies of their day; Jesus himself said "I came not to bring peace, but a sword". Not that He Himself brought on war, but evil in rebellion to His goodness and teachings would result in wars.
