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In Reply to: Re: I wasn't talking politics posted by Acheick on August 06, 2004 at 04:03:28:
Acheick, I have no wish to get into political ideology, so I will leave that alone. In any regard, my intent is not to try to change your views or beliefs.
There are things that we do agree on. I agree that “saving millions of lives by taking out fascist tyrants who want to rule the world” is worth fighting for. Preventing terrorism and the spread of hate is also something worth fighting for. Our opinions on who those tyrants are and how best to achieve this are quite different, but I think we share the same wish: for a safe and peaceful world for our children, families and friends.
One thing I do strongly disagree with is the idea that to face facts and ask questions is harmful or weakening. I think it’s essential, especially when so much is at stake, to be able to look reality in the face and to understand why, in concrete and specific terms, not just rhetorical campaign slogans. If there is one thing I did learn in the Family, it is that blind faith and obedience to a government is dangerous. Whatever one’s conclusions after looking at all sides, at least you know where you stand and why.
I have seen Ararat (as you probably know, it was made by a Canadian). War is horrific no matter when or where it occurs. From what I understood, the importance of knowing reality as it truly is, no matter how dark or difficult, was one of the main points of the film.
As I said, my intent is not to convince you of my opinion or tell you that you are wrong to believe what you do. What I find deeply offensive is when death and suffering and war are trivialized and smurked about and seen as some cowboy epic. That demeans the sacrifices my friends have and are making. It belittles the horrors they are facing every day in duty to their country. I do oppose the war, but I support my friends.
Finally, there are other choices than kill or be killed. I have a close friend (not exFamily) who was in Iraq with an NGO. He was running a program that was feeding hundreds of thousands of Iraqi children. He was kidnapped by terrorists, held hostage and tortured. He was released through the efforts of some of the local Iraqis and the Canadian government. They did not “give in” to the terrorists, but he was able to to be rescued and his life was saved.
