supporting America's troops doesn't = warmongering - 3.18.03
The bad diplomat -
Supporting America's troops doesn't mean warmongering. All Americans support our troops' quick return to the comfort and safety of their homes and families. The question is, how did we get onto this one-way road to war?
We need a strong military to protect US interests, but let's not turn America into a warrior state - you live by the sword, then that's how you're going to die. We need to return many of the resources currently being used by the military to constructive peaceful pursuits. For starters, America so badly needs a bold new transportation system - one that's safer, more energy efficient, more fun. We need transportation innovation that helps us to be better global citizens, and helps improve our trade balance. Invading oil rich nations every few years isn't going to do either one of these.
A bold leap forward into a new era of transportation (and energy in general) could do more to help our security than any military, no matter how strong. An endless succession of foreign wars can only end up one way - a war here in America.
Since this war's on and there's really no turning back now, let me just be clear about this. I support our troops; I hope they can win the war quickly and with a minimum of bloodshed. That's the only hope for this mess to work out halfway tolerably, and if any nation's military can muster an attack of this type without it turning into a protracted nightmare, it's ours.
But let it be known as "Bush's War" - actually, I guess it's the Second Bush War. We all hope, pray, and trust that our military will perform brilliantly on the battlefied. However, it's already been a disaster for America's image, and an unmitigated diplomatic debacle, and no matter what war supporters say, the majority of the people of the world are going to see it as unprovoked aggression and oil imperialism by the USA.
Let's assume our military makes quick work of the Iraq invasion, and that the rebuilding of Iraq goes okay. Let's not be confused about the performance of the Bush administration in the diplomatic arena - it was dismal. The purpose of diplomacy is to resolve disputes without war, not to posture to the point that war is unavoidable.
So let's fight for a brighter future - first we'll get rid of Saddam. Then let's look for leadership change a bit closer to home. There's an election coming!
[note, May 8, 2003: I pulled this editorial offline during the Iraq war. Now the war's over, thankfully, and I've reposted it.]
