War. War. War. And say that one more time. A lot of people these days(esp. media) throw that word around like a pinata', and yet I have trouble trying to figure out if any of them knows what it means. War on drugs, war on terrorism, war on Iraq. And people see it so simply, there is a winner, therefore there is a loser. The person with the bigger gun "wins". But many people don't realize that there is no "winner" in war. Once the confrontation starts, everybody loses something. The Art of War says the best general wins by not losing and by not fighting at all. I've been told this was a required study in War College by top brass, but I don't know if anyone gets it.
There is no "clean", nor "fast" war. What takes 10 seconds of bombing to destroy can take years to rebuild. War doesn't simply mean the confrontation itself, all the before and after effects are also part of it. The proposed occupation and nation building is going to take at least US billion, 24,000 troops, and more than half a year(it does not includ the actual cost of the fighting, and what is costing currently). The proposed food aid of US million is going to cover 1-10 Days of food and supplies for the Iraq people. War is never ever cheap. America is a wealthy country for sure, but how long can they afford to waste resources and money when their domestic problems are rising?
There are also no heros in war. If you were to talk to war veterans with metals or honors, none of them likes to talk about how they really get it. A lot of them will tell you that they went there to do their job, and that was what happened. They don't wanted to be reminded of the "enemies" they've killed are fathers, sons, husbands, brothers, sisters, mothers, daughters, and wifes. It's no longer "virtual", or "simulations" anymore. If you killed a person who was alive, breathing, and talking, with all the brain, guts, and blood splatter all over you, you'll be affected.
The battlefield has to be seen to be believed. For those interested in a graphic describtion of what can happen on the battlefield, they can pick up books like "The Rape of NanJing".
I lived in the US for 4 something years. I traveled a lot during that time. Maybe I was naive then, but I couldn't believe that even in the most democratic nation on Earth, the choice of few still dictates the lifes of many. What of the Freedom, choices, and justice, I thought? What does that say about us as a specie, as a society, as a planet?
I am not a religous person, but I thought it was interesting that the Pope, the representative of Catholic faith - has released a statement saying this war is morally repulsive. Then I thought of Bush, Nixon, Rooservelt, and all those leaders. What was going on in their mind when they made that decision to go to war? What was weighting on their mind? Can I make that decision? Do I HAVE to choose between one fo the two lesser evils?
Up to this point, I don't know if I can care anymore. I am numb. Numb from all the press, media, people talking, radio, music, and so on. When your body is in too much pain, your body shuts off, so I guess I am doing the same for my judgement. If I try hard enough, maybe I can pretend none of these ever happened, and I can go on with my life. But reality usually bites me in the ass instead.
cheers!
*drinks tea and lost in thought*
