Ramblings of a Technology Addict

Friday, March 21, 2003

An Open Letter to Aaron Schwartz

[this letter is in response to an entry requesting those who support the war to speak up]
Aaron,
We're both on the NNW Beta newsgroup together, I read your feed frequently and enjoy the content. Your last post regarding Iraq encouraged responses regarding the War in Iraq. Consider this a response.
Please allow me temper the statements with the following information including some context as to why I might feel the way I do. First off, I have a degree in Political Science from Denison University in Ohio. Secondly, my younger brother Erik Bridge is a member of the US Armed Forces and is currently abroad in service of the country. Thirdmost, I consider myself to be a moderate unswayed by the Bush Administration's declaration that this is about terror.
That all being said, let's jump into this hip deep.
12 years ago, at the conclusion of the first Persian Gulf War, Saddam Hussein signed an agreement to give up all his designs on weapons of mass destruction, and disarm himself. For the past 12 years, Saddam has done nothing but deceive the United Nations and their Inspections team when it came to what he did or did not have. This lead us to the brink of war a few times during the Clinton administration. Then, a few months ago, the United Nations Security Council unanimously declared Security Council Resolution 1441, which placed Iraq on notice regarding material breach of its obligations to the UN. It said that he had one last chance to disarm before facing "serious consequences." Since then, Saddam has only barely budged on his compliance. He didn't provide the evidence of destruction of his VX, Anthrax and Ricin supplies, that were detailed in the UNMOVIC report in 1998 and not disputed by the UN. He was under obligation not to make the Inspectors search for the weapons, but to provide them a list and full accounting of what they had currently and documented evidence to show what had been destroyed since then.
This was not done.
The United States, in partnership with Spain and Britain sought to bring these serious consequences to Iraq in the form of military action, a course that I agree with. Saddam Hussein has shown nothing but contempt for the Inspections processes since they were instituted. A vote by the Security Council was sought. When it looked clear that Germany and France were plotting to veto the resolution, we took action separately.
Do I think this was necessarily the right time to end diplomacy? Yes, but not for the reasons you may imagine.
Was this the right way to end diplomacy? Of course not.
That being said, we're now at war with Saddam's regime in Iraq. Again, this isn't a war against the Iraqi people, it's a war against specifically Saddam Hussein and his cabal that have for decades repressed freedom of speech and religion in Iraq.
When World War II was going on, FDR called for the world to know four freedoms. Freedom of Speech, everywhere in the world. Freedom of Religion, everywhere in the world. Freedom from Want, everywhere in the world. Freedom from Fear. These four freedoms were what we fought for. We fought for people to have the right to worship, the right to speak, the right to not starve and the right to not fear war. And today, that fight is the one we're engaged in. We're fighting to free the Iraqi people from a man who has co-opted their country. We're fighting because they can't just "elect a new leader" like we will hopefully do in 2004. We're fighting because they don't have the freedom to worship as they please, instead muslims are tortured and killed. We're fighting because they don't have the freedom to say what they will.
I don't like war. War, as its fought, causes the deaths of innocents. I would totally prefer a world foosball tournament, or a game of cards, or a baseball game to decide our disputes. But, unfortunately, Saddam doesn't listen to those things. He only understands force. And force we can provide.
I hope that this is a short and victorious war, although that phrase itself is loaded, much as it was for the Russian foreign minister who said "What we need is a short and victorious war to stem the tide of the revolution" right before they attacked Japan. I hope that this war is quick. Because a protracted conflict to free the Iraqis isn't one I will support. I will support a short war to evict Saddam and establish peace in Iraq. Lift the sanctions. Stop starving the people. Stop the torture of those who disagree with the government. And bring into that nation the four freedoms we promised the world in 1941, but have yet to deliver.
Until then, I will pray for an end to this war, and an end to war as a whole.
Regards, Tom Bridge
2:01:46 PM comment []