Coverage by BBSNews

BBSNews - 2003-03-16 -- From most perspectives the many protests and agonizing about the impending US War on Iraq is on many levels at least as intent as it was during the height of US domestic Vietnam War protests. Few times in recent decades have seen the multi-faceted throngs of humanity united in opposition to the planned "shock" war campaign against Iraq. At the same time, it is undeniable that most of these same people protesting the war agree that Saddam Hussein is a despicable despot and they would welcome his departure. The Arab world would likely not miss this thorn in their side either.

That being said, this would be a good time to put aside such faux paus as fabricated evidence of an Iraqi attempt to buy enriched uranium from Niger. It would even be a time to set aside such inconveniences like the Senate Foreign Relations Committee being up in arms because when they ask for costs of a US attack on Iraq they find stonewalling and instead get their news from the media informing them that Halliburton, formerly run by Vice President of the United States Dick Cheney, is among the strictly US companies who are invited to bid upon the rebuilding of a post-war Iraq. Forget the seriously strained relations between traditional US allies. Nevermind the "Freedom Fries" and the boycotts of anything French. Even disregard the hinterland floated idea of giving back to France the Statue of Liberty.

If you favor soundbites and sit-com references to the world's reality just remember the first rule of war as laid out by McClean Stevenson as Colonel Henry Blake in MASH. "Look, all I know is what they taught me at command school. There are certain rules about a war and rule number one is young men die. And rule number two is doctors can't change rule number one."

Try to forget the fact that the US economy is in the dumper and contrary to popular opinion, this war will mean nothing in the face of the deficits that have been run up during this current administration. There will be no "war economy."

Ignore the massive positive changes in assumed Human Rights and the basic right to be free from war and strife.

A trusted and welcome friend of mine told me "Fascinating that we could agree so fundamentally about prohibition [of some drugs] and disagree so on the impending war on Iraq. :-)"

I would have to respond that during the first war in Iraq BBSNews was quite active in some small part by participating with the the nearly 1000 computer BBS's that were sending messages of support to the troops during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. General Schwarzkopf himself recognized the value of quick and reliable computer communications from the private sector. BBSNews was no less then than now behind US troops. Let no one mis-understand BBSNews' editorial position. We believe strongly in a superior US military and where needed, we cheer their sometimes required use. But let us not forget the facts of the matter. In drug policy we are used to being lied to on an almost daily basis. Marijuana is said to cause teen pregnancy and AIDS by US officials. Why in US unilateral war on Iraq policy should we now succumb to this same style propaganda because we are still hurting from 9/11?

After this serious consideration, look at the faces of those who will be doing the fighting. The photos below say it all. A Marine private in Da Nang during Vietnam in 1965 and a Marine private nearly in country bolting a bomb to a Harrier jet in March 2003 during this current near war. No clear word from US officials about the costs of this war, both the costs of prosecution and the massive re-building of Iraq once it's destroyed by US forces. Most Americans are unaware that Iraqi troops will be on the US taxpayer payroll after a US led attack on Iraq. This action is ill-conceived and will likely be a worse debacle than Vietnam. 38 years later the faces of US fighting forces are also remarkably similar. It's hard to believe that US leaders want to return us to such a tragic mistake.

By an unknown photographer, August 3, 1965 "Da Nang, Vietnam...A young Marine private waits on the beach during the Marine landing" 1998 print. Records of the U. S. Marine Corps.	Private First Class Heather Cosby, Marine Attack Squadron-211, tightens a bolt to secure an inert practice bomb to an AV-8B Harrier, March 2003. Photo by: Sgt. Molly C. King. US Marines.

There is not a dimes worth of difference between then and now.

Michael Hess is the Editor of BBSNews in Charlotte, NC. Write to the editor here. Not all submissions are published. Or visit the completely new BBSNews Blog and Forum on our front page - Please Participate in BBSNews!