I am not a peace loving flower child who opposes efforts to actively deal with terrorism

[low_delta]

I am sick and tired of all the people who think that because I am opposed to War, I am opposed to The War On Terrorism.

Wake up people!

I think it is a very bad idea to send troops to Afghanistan (or wherever), but I fully support efforts to identify, locate and eliminate terrorists.

The War On Terrorism is not war. That phrase is a convenient way to refer to the efforts.

So please don't tell me that my nonpatriotism makes you sick, or that I desecrate the graves of those who've died for our country, or any of that pseudo-patriotic BS.


(And yes, I realize that military units will likely be the best way to eliminate some of these terrorists, but that is a limited engagement.)

Comments

[serendipity.livejournal.com]

Thanks, you tell 'em, Freekee.

[redthread.livejournal.com]

Good, and important, distinction. I don't want innocent people killed either, but I do want the terrorists stopped.

Not being an expert on international affairs or the military, I have no idea how the U.S. starts to go about that, although, with my limited knowledge, I do think getting an international coalition together is important.

This all makes my head hurt; sorry you've had people making incorrect assumptions about you.

[serendipity.livejournal.com]

Many of us who haven't taken up the WAR, WAR, WAR chant have become objects of incorrect assumptions. That's what I meant by no room for dissent, plus the fact that dissent has taken on a broader definition.

Back to the Reference Desk with me.

[redthread.livejournal.com]

I think I'm a bit sheltered in that regard since I work in academia -- that's not to say that everyone in academia is peace-loving, but I think the statistics would be heavily skewed that way. Or for some intelligent, well-thought-out response to this crisis.

I'll admit that one of my first reactions was extreme anger, but with the terrorists; never with anyone else. I have never wanted innocent people to die but the angry part of me wants the terrorists to pay. And I certainly don't have all the information to know how they can make that happen, but that's my hope.

Re:

[serendipity.livejournal.com]

I'm not talking about comments at work. I'm talking about online comments directed toward me and others who aren't screaming for war. Although fortunately not in my LJ or my email box.

[velvetwife.livejournal.com]

Someone been giving you shit? I have to agree. War itself is terrible. The 'war' against Terrorism is needed. The graves of people who died in war become desecrated when they loose their identity and become memories only of war I think.

Freekee's War On Ignorance.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I've just been seeing a general attitude that we anti-war types are against taking action against the terrorists.

What really pissed me off is that these people who don't like our attitude are leveling sheer disgust at us. They think we're evil. It took me a while to figure out why. O wonder what it takes to teach them all what we're about.

Re: Freekee's War On Ignorance.

[velvetwife.livejournal.com]

But you are. You polluted their fragile little minds with a different way of thinking. It should be illegal :P

..

[whorlpool.livejournal.com]

I am a peace-loving flower child, and proud of it.

[cherie.livejournal.com]

It is sometimes hard to describe the way we feel about these times. I am with you Kevin, I don't think this should be labeled the 'war against terrorism' and to indicate this might be a
'crusade' against Islam or the Taliban will only inflame the situation and make it worse. What we have here is a crime against humanity, these criminals are murderers and they must be stopped, killed, punished or whatever it takes to stop them.

I appreciate your honesty and I hope you keep up your postings. Good night.

[banana.livejournal.com]

I'm not a fan of Bush, but I was a little reassured by the thing he said about not firing a $2m missile at a $10 tent and hitting a camel's behind. At least he (or whoever's advising him) are *thinking* about what to do.
On the other hand, it was a mistake for him to use the word "crusade", as opposing militants have used it to make the US out as anti-Islamic.

I was watching some US news channel in my hotel last night, and they mentioned carefully that Bush had been making beligerent noises for two weeks and doing very little. They also said some general had been told on the day of the disaster to produce an attack plan, but it was not going to be used. Maybe Bush is reading what you have to say about this? ;~)