On another forum recently I was having a charming discussion with some Pro-Bush types, who did a great job parroting the latest round of spin and lies over Iraq. With monotonous predictability, several began assuring me that the Iraq Quagmire was a brave and noble enterprise aimed purely at bringing democracy and wonderfulness to the Iraqi people. When it was pointed out that it was much more likely to bring civil war, a divided nation and an Shi'ite Islamic semi-theocracy, I was informed that I was (somehow) 'dishonouring the troops'.
At this point I noticed that the brave democracy (NOT oil!) warriors I was having this little chat with were all aged between 18 and 30 and (as far as I could tell) fit, healthy young specimens. So I asked when they were going to enlist. The response?
Silence.
So I asked again - if they were so gung-ho about this noble-war-with-no-ulterior-motives, why they hell weren't they over there fighting it? It took a third inquiry - and some well-placed jeers of derision from others - before one of the democracy warriors responded with some lame excuse about wearing glasses. No problem, I responded. The desperate recruiting officers would be happy to find some appropriate duties for him so long as he wasn't near blind. So when, I asked, was he going to enlist?
Again, silence.
By then the other brave warriors of freedom had also slunk away.
Apparently this is a great war, so long as some other poor sap is fighting it.
I notice quite a few brave Republicans, 'patriots' and even self-proclaimed 'nationalists' on this board. Some of them have served or are serving. Fair enough. But what about the others? Are they going to enlist or are they happy to fight the war from behind the safety of their keyboards while other people die?
Here's a good site for those who, like me, wonder why these heroes are so cavalier with other peoples' lives:
http://operationyellowelephant.blogspot.com/