War On Iraq - Personal Statement
Mr. Thomsen and myself, Mr. Mertin, the owners of this website, have observed the latest political and military developments since Wednesday with the most sincere concern.
This topic was started by Rancho*,
Mr. Thomsen and myself, Mr. Mertin, the owners of this website, have observed the latest political and military developments since Wednesday with the most sincere concern. In our opinion it is a tragedy that it has come so far and that all peaceful efforts were thrown aside as the U.S. have begun their attacks. No question that a dictatorship may not be the best political system to have in a country but is that really our's to decide on? And are there not other countries in the far east that should be observed with similar concern?
The United Nations Security Council has been rendered ineffective by the decision George W. Bush has made. We admit though that politics would have taken a much longer time frame. Our thoughts are with the victims of this war - Soldiers and civilians on both sides of the frontiers.
Worldwide acclaimed brazilian author Paul Coelho, author of “The Alchemistâ€, amongst other works, and member of the Brazilian Academy of Arts & Letters, wrote the following critical open letter to the President of the United States...
A Folha de Sao Paulo
First published: http://www.folha.uol.com.br/folha/
Author: Paul Coelho
March 8, 2003
Thank you, George Bush, the Great Leader.
First of all, may I thank you for showing all of us the danger which Saddam Hussein represents. Perhaps many of us might have forgotten that he used chemical weapons against his own people as well as against the people of Iran. Hussein is a blood-thirsty dictator, and certainly an embodiment of evil in the world today.
However, that is not the only reason why I am thanking you. In the early months of 2003, you helped show us, sir, many important things about the world, and it is for this that you have my gratitude. I was taught as child to always say "thank you" to someone who has done me a favor, and it is in that spirit that I write these words.
Thank you for showing us all that the people of Turkey and their Parliament are not for sale, not even for $26 billion dollars.
Thank you for showing us clearly the enormous abyss which exists between the decisions taken by leaders of nations and the true desires of their people. Thank you for helping us see with painful clarity that whether it is José Aznar of Spain or Tony Blair of the UK, that our so called elected leaders don´t have the slightest regard or respect for the fact that over 90% of their population are against war. Thank you for allowing us to witness the ease with whichTony Blair was able to blithely ignore the largest public protest held in England in the last 30 years.
Thank you, because your insistence on war forced Blair to go to Parliament with a plagiarized dossier which consisted of notes written ten years ago by an arab graduate student. As a result we were able to witness the unbelievable farce of Blair insisting that these notes represented “proof†gathered by the British secret service.
Thank you for for making Colin Powell descend to the ridiculous by showing the UN Security Council photographs, which a week later were publicly denounced by Hans Blix, the weapons inspector responsible for verifying the disarmament of Iraq
Thank you, because your position on war resulted in the French Foreign Minister, Mr. Dominique de Villepin, in his speech against war on Iraq, being honored by a standing ovation. This is an honor which, if I am correct, has only happened once before in the history of the U.N., and that was during a presentation by Nelson Mandela.
Thank you, because due to your strenuous push for war, for the first time the Arab nations of the Gulf, usually so divided, have found a reason to unite and have recently issued a joint resolution in Cairo condemning your proposed invasion. You have brought about a unity of opinion amongst the arab nations, that they had not achieved on their own.
Thank you, because as a result of your administration´s rhetoric blasting the United Nations as “irrelevantâ€, even the most undecided and reluctant nations have been inspired to take a position against your country´s attack on Iraq.
Thank you for your extraordinary foreign policy. Attempts to defend your ambitions have caused British Foreign Minister Jack Straw, to attempt to argue a case for a “moral warâ€, and with each attempt lose more international credibility.
Thank you for attempting to divide Europe, which after a century of war and upheaval has been fighting for unity. This was a warning clearly seen by all of us, and it will not be forgotten.
Thank you for finally managing to achieve what few have managed in the past century: to unite millions of people, across the continents and give them a common cause to fight for, even if that cause is the exact opposite from yours.
Thank you for letting us feel that even if our words are not being heard, they are at least being repeated. This will give us strength in the future.
Thank you, because without your esteemed help, we wouldn´t have known the extent to which we were capable of mobilizing. Perhaps this appears useless today...but it will serve us in the future.
Thank you.
So, now that the drums of war seem to beat with unstoppable ferocity, I want to add an insight, words uttered by an ancient European King to a would-be invader:
“May your morning be glorious and May the sun shine brightly on the armor of your soldiers, because in the afternoon I will defeat you.â€
Mr. Bush, thank you as well for visibly trying to stop a movement which has already begun. We will pay attention to the feelings of impotence, and the sensations it arouses within us. We will learn to deal with those emotions, and we will transform them.
In the meantime, may you enjoy your beautiful morning, and all the glory that it may bring you.
Thank you, because I know you will not listen to us, nor take us seriously. Know, however, that we have listened to you and heard you clearly, and we will not soon forget your words.
Thank you, George W. Bush, the great leader!
Many thanks to you.
Mr. Coelho certainly has his points. We would like to point out that this is our personal opinion about this war. Feel free to leave a comment if you wish.
Translation from portugese: Blogspot.com
The War at a glance @ BBC UK
The United Nations Security Council has been rendered ineffective by the decision George W. Bush has made. We admit though that politics would have taken a much longer time frame. Our thoughts are with the victims of this war - Soldiers and civilians on both sides of the frontiers.
Worldwide acclaimed brazilian author Paul Coelho, author of “The Alchemistâ€, amongst other works, and member of the Brazilian Academy of Arts & Letters, wrote the following critical open letter to the President of the United States...
A Folha de Sao Paulo
First published: http://www.folha.uol.com.br/folha/
Author: Paul Coelho
March 8, 2003
Thank you, George Bush, the Great Leader.
First of all, may I thank you for showing all of us the danger which Saddam Hussein represents. Perhaps many of us might have forgotten that he used chemical weapons against his own people as well as against the people of Iran. Hussein is a blood-thirsty dictator, and certainly an embodiment of evil in the world today.
However, that is not the only reason why I am thanking you. In the early months of 2003, you helped show us, sir, many important things about the world, and it is for this that you have my gratitude. I was taught as child to always say "thank you" to someone who has done me a favor, and it is in that spirit that I write these words.
Thank you for showing us all that the people of Turkey and their Parliament are not for sale, not even for $26 billion dollars.
Thank you for showing us clearly the enormous abyss which exists between the decisions taken by leaders of nations and the true desires of their people. Thank you for helping us see with painful clarity that whether it is José Aznar of Spain or Tony Blair of the UK, that our so called elected leaders don´t have the slightest regard or respect for the fact that over 90% of their population are against war. Thank you for allowing us to witness the ease with whichTony Blair was able to blithely ignore the largest public protest held in England in the last 30 years.
Thank you, because your insistence on war forced Blair to go to Parliament with a plagiarized dossier which consisted of notes written ten years ago by an arab graduate student. As a result we were able to witness the unbelievable farce of Blair insisting that these notes represented “proof†gathered by the British secret service.
Thank you for for making Colin Powell descend to the ridiculous by showing the UN Security Council photographs, which a week later were publicly denounced by Hans Blix, the weapons inspector responsible for verifying the disarmament of Iraq
Thank you, because your position on war resulted in the French Foreign Minister, Mr. Dominique de Villepin, in his speech against war on Iraq, being honored by a standing ovation. This is an honor which, if I am correct, has only happened once before in the history of the U.N., and that was during a presentation by Nelson Mandela.
Thank you, because due to your strenuous push for war, for the first time the Arab nations of the Gulf, usually so divided, have found a reason to unite and have recently issued a joint resolution in Cairo condemning your proposed invasion. You have brought about a unity of opinion amongst the arab nations, that they had not achieved on their own.
Thank you, because as a result of your administration´s rhetoric blasting the United Nations as “irrelevantâ€, even the most undecided and reluctant nations have been inspired to take a position against your country´s attack on Iraq.
Thank you for your extraordinary foreign policy. Attempts to defend your ambitions have caused British Foreign Minister Jack Straw, to attempt to argue a case for a “moral warâ€, and with each attempt lose more international credibility.
Thank you for attempting to divide Europe, which after a century of war and upheaval has been fighting for unity. This was a warning clearly seen by all of us, and it will not be forgotten.
Thank you for finally managing to achieve what few have managed in the past century: to unite millions of people, across the continents and give them a common cause to fight for, even if that cause is the exact opposite from yours.
Thank you for letting us feel that even if our words are not being heard, they are at least being repeated. This will give us strength in the future.
Thank you, because without your esteemed help, we wouldn´t have known the extent to which we were capable of mobilizing. Perhaps this appears useless today...but it will serve us in the future.
Thank you.
So, now that the drums of war seem to beat with unstoppable ferocity, I want to add an insight, words uttered by an ancient European King to a would-be invader:
“May your morning be glorious and May the sun shine brightly on the armor of your soldiers, because in the afternoon I will defeat you.â€
Mr. Bush, thank you as well for visibly trying to stop a movement which has already begun. We will pay attention to the feelings of impotence, and the sensations it arouses within us. We will learn to deal with those emotions, and we will transform them.
In the meantime, may you enjoy your beautiful morning, and all the glory that it may bring you.
Thank you, because I know you will not listen to us, nor take us seriously. Know, however, that we have listened to you and heard you clearly, and we will not soon forget your words.
Thank you, George W. Bush, the great leader!
Many thanks to you.
Mr. Coelho certainly has his points. We would like to point out that this is our personal opinion about this war. Feel free to leave a comment if you wish.
Translation from portugese: Blogspot.com
The War at a glance @ BBC UK
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Responses to this topic
DoverBen182 I dont want to discuss this further . I have lots of examples that might prove you wrong. But this is the wrong time and the wrong place to discuss them. My words are not attacking anyone .
Nope, sorry you did imply hostility on your early post
Americans are creating enemies not friends. For example if you destroy my house do you think that i will be grateful for what you did to me ... i dont think so.
My dad said his house was bombed by the US in Saigon, Vietnam because the enemy was hiding in the neighborhood. Now hes a huge supporter of America to liberate other people, why hes no mad at the US, go figure. Theres something called collateral damage
And i am concerned about the lives of the people all around the world, because every human is a person, and he/she has the right to live. It is immoral to kill innocent people , and then say that it was a mistake, or say that in a war these things can happen, they can of course but then why? We are creating something for some reason, and humans are creatures that like to expand and take power , and we can be easily addicted by that, and throw stones to those that tell us that we are wrong. Because we are already deep in the crystal ball of selfishness. Be selfish is not a crime, but all the extremes are dangerous and can harm those that touch them. This is the case for all the people, and it was the same with all the empires, that we came through.
Im concerned about people's lives too. Think about the number of Iraqis die everyday under Saddamn if we do nothing. Forgive me if im wrong, did you imply that I was selfish?
Guess I'm lile many others signing up today just to post my opinion.
This used to be a great tech site until you brought politics up the way you did.
My bookmark has been deleted until you take your opinions off.
Maybe more Americans on the Internet should come here and voice their opinions as well.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :x :x :x :x :x :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
This used to be a great tech site until you brought politics up the way you did.
My bookmark has been deleted until you take your opinions off.
Maybe more Americans on the Internet should come here and voice their opinions as well.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :x :x :x :x :x :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
Guess I'm lile many others signing up today just to post my opinion.
This used to be a great tech site until you brought politics up the way you did.
My bookmark has been deleted until you take your opinions off.
Maybe more Americans on the Internet should come here and voice their opinions as well.
:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :x :x :x :x :x :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
Maybe you live in your virtual world , feeding your off computer times with CNN , FOX war reality show ?
Sorry for being agressive but i don't understand why there could be people here saying that it's irrelevant to talk about politics and war here on this site .
It's a tech site but what is happening now in the whole world , this anti american/bush feeling is very dangerous for the future and is far more important than everything else like computer , this site is massively visited and people are given the opportunity to express themselves , what's wrong ?
I won't go in details but what i want to say is that i'm proud that warp2search give an opportunity to some of us to think and rethink their opinion about what's happening now and as say the wise brazilian writer , we'll never forget anything about this crisis .
Don't focus your mind on Iraq now only , realise that it's a worldwide crisis and sadly the american diplomacy has never been able to legitimate this war really .
There's a huge anti american feeling in the world more than ever now , it's very very sad coz USA has fallen into a hole where they may stay for long . :cry: :cry:
If there's a god , may he bless the world .
WAR???
What war? That is not a war...that is the same story again where The American Government decides who dies and who lives. The worst thing is that the American people are naive and they feel proud of it !!! Oh My God.....Bush says "they are terrorists...Bomb them " and Stupid people follow!!! I will tell you what....If u guys supporting that killing out there, claiming it to be a solution, had your home bombed and your loving ones burned alive then you wouldn't think that THIS is the solution. I think that sitting in your big sofas eating Hot Dogs watching CNN presenting the massacre of a Nation as a solution keeps you right where your government wants you to be and makes you feel proud for being part of this instead of beeing ashamed. Since most of you Americans have probably never been aware that the only thing you have more that all the other countries on earth is money you make yourselves believe that money = politismic advance, money = civilisation.
And you know what? Right know I would so much prefer to speak German rather than English.....at least i wouldn't be so stupid to follow without questioning first.
What war? That is not a war...that is the same story again where The American Government decides who dies and who lives. The worst thing is that the American people are naive and they feel proud of it !!! Oh My God.....Bush says "they are terrorists...Bomb them " and Stupid people follow!!! I will tell you what....If u guys supporting that killing out there, claiming it to be a solution, had your home bombed and your loving ones burned alive then you wouldn't think that THIS is the solution. I think that sitting in your big sofas eating Hot Dogs watching CNN presenting the massacre of a Nation as a solution keeps you right where your government wants you to be and makes you feel proud for being part of this instead of beeing ashamed. Since most of you Americans have probably never been aware that the only thing you have more that all the other countries on earth is money you make yourselves believe that money = politismic advance, money = civilisation.
And you know what? Right know I would so much prefer to speak German rather than English.....at least i wouldn't be so stupid to follow without questioning first.
WAR???
What war? That is not a war...that is the same story again where The American Government decides who dies and who lives. The worst thing is that the American people are naive and they feel proud of it !!! Oh My God.....Bush says "they are terrorists...Bomb them " and Stupid people follow!!! I will tell you what....If u guys supporting that killing out there, claiming it to be a solution, had your home bombed and your loving ones burned alive then you wouldn't think that THIS is the solution. I think that sitting in your big sofas eating Hot Dogs watching CNN presenting the massacre of a Nation as a solution keeps you right where your government wants you to be and makes you feel proud for being part of this instead of beeing ashamed. Since most of you Americans have probably never been aware that the only thing you have more that all the other countries on earth is money you make yourselves believe that money = politismic advance, money = civilisation.
And you know what? Right know I would so much prefer to speak German rather than English.....at least i wouldn't be so stupid to follow without questioning first.
Your opinions are reduced to emotional politics and personal attacks, I forgive you anyway because I respect your right to voice your opinions. But what makes you think you are well informed than I am and not mis-informed by your own anti-us media? Isnt that self-centered and arrogant. Arent you the one that was against hypocrisy at the first place?
What I think is not that im well-informed and you are not. What I think is that you are too proud of your American identity to realise that there is no morality in any of this. Too proud to see beyond the fancy political talk. I believe that my country's politicians are not far better that your's, but at least I know they are and I can shout it at their face and occasionally be heard and cause a movement. Writting on this forum about how right it is to gather large troops and make a country go extinct should make u at least feel sick. Destroying people's homes and killing their family followed by droping food to ease their pain should make you feel pathetic......
What I think is not that im well-informed and you are not. What I think is that you are too proud of your American identity to realise that there is no morality in any of this. Too proud to see beyond the fancy political talk. I believe that my country's politicians are not far better that your's, but at least I know they are and I can shout it at their face and occasionally be heard and cause a movement. Writting on this forum about how right it is to gather large troops and make a country go extinct should make u at least feel sick. Destroying people's homes and killing their family followed by droping food to ease their pain should make you feel pathetic......
You know what really would make me feel pathetic? People attacking me without being backed up by any facts. Is that what they are telling you over there that the Allies are going to make Iraq go extinct? Are you just exagerating to make a point or you are just too damn stupid to buy all that crap.
What I think is not that im well-informed and you are not. What I think is that you are too proud of your American identity to realise that there is no morality in any of this. Too proud to see beyond the fancy political talk. I believe that my country's politicians are not far better that your's, but at least I know they are and I can shout it at their face and occasionally be heard and cause a movement. Writting on this forum about how right it is to gather large troops and make a country go extinct should make u at least feel sick. Destroying people's homes and killing their family followed by droping food to ease their pain should make you feel pathetic......
Yeah....the US is destroying people's homes....right. If you will look at the bombing raids done yesterday in Baghdad, you will see it was restricted to ONLY Iraqi regime targets....as it has always been. A village in southern Iraq was singing and dancing when we came to their village and was ripping a huge picture of Saddam down from a wall in their village. These people are not free. They were overjoyed that we were there to help them have what is rightfully theirs. Saddam and his sons are having his military burn the Iraqi people's oil fields as we speak. But as you say, the US and England are the one's destroying what is the Iraqi people's. You are VERY uninformed. Please make sure you are talking the facts next time and not from what is in your heart. Maybe you should move to France, Germany, Russia, or Canada and be a coward and let Saddam do what ever he wants until one day he resembles Hitler....
I understand that you are annoyed at the fact that most Americans are proud of our military actions. You might think that we have no knownledge of how our government might have other motives on starting the war. You might think that we are fat, and all we do is watch CNN and Fox News. But even if thats the case, it still cant change the fact that the Iraqi people are suffering under Saddam Hussein, and that guy MUST be removed from power. If the so called peace advocates care for people so much, I dont see them protesting when Russia attack Chechya. That just shows their conspiracy theorist and anti-US nature.
Who told you that our media don't say the same bullshit as your's?
I dont think that there is no Anti-War movement in the US....isn't there?
I don't think there is no anti-US movement in the US !!!!
I choose to feel dude and not to follow BULLSHIT....
And if you think that presenting facts that you were told will make this evation of human rights a "Fight for Peace" then you live in a far more distant world than you think....
I dont think that there is no Anti-War movement in the US....isn't there?
I don't think there is no anti-US movement in the US !!!!
I choose to feel dude and not to follow BULLSHIT....
And if you think that presenting facts that you were told will make this evation of human rights a "Fight for Peace" then you live in a far more distant world than you think....
Who told you that our media don't say the same bullshit as your's?
I dont think that there is no Anti-War movement in the US....isn't there?
I don't think there is no anti-US movement in the US !!!!
I choose to feel dude and not to follow BULLSHIT....
Same, I get my opinions from both sides then make my stance. America is all about being fair, for me it is. Im not on anybody's side forever.
And if you think that presenting facts that you were told will make this evation of human rights a "Fight for Peace" then you live in a far more distant world than you think....
LOL, like I assumed, you really think that I get all my info from inside the US. Maybe you should try what my family have done, move to America. Then you will learn to stop judging people
Yeah....the US is destroying people's homes....right. If you will look at the bombing raids done yesterday in Baghdad, you will see it was restricted to ONLY Iraqi regime targets....as it has always been.
Is this what happens or is it what you would like it to be the truth so you can be proud of your humanitarian government??
Is this what happens or is it what you would like it to be the truth so you can be proud of your humanitarian government??
Got that through Live Sattelite Images AND the fact that they didnt take out Bagdad's eletrical power clearly showed that the attacks werent directed at the civilians. There are many more reasons to list, but why do I bother?
LOL, like I assumed, you really think that I get all my info from inside the US. Maybe you should try what my family have done, move to America. Then you will learn to stop judging people
Obviously I would learn to stop judjing people and start bombing them pretending or even worse BELIEVING that im doing the right thing....
Obviously I would learn to stop judjing people and start bombing them pretending or even worse BELIEVING that im doing the right thing....
Its no longer judging when the people murdered other people with poision gas. Theres a difference.
Listen....Your government in the last 8 months has started 2 bloody unfair wars against "3rd world" countries. Also another plan of this pathetic government of your's is to attack north Korea as well.
You try to prove to me and to the rest that you are liberators and fight for peace. First of all you have never fought. First of all your American history is far less important than any other history, european or not, on this f***ing planet. You are the only country since nineties that made at least 6 war attempts (basically bombing and destroying without casualties, and if you think you have serious casualties go and ask the afghan people , serbs, somalians or any other poor nation about their CIVILIAN losses.
In europe's and the rest of the world's eyes you are no different than Nazis in 1939......
Now what the rest of the world should do about that? maybe someone has to do something about your terrorism...on the planet don't you think?
You try to prove to me and to the rest that you are liberators and fight for peace. First of all you have never fought. First of all your American history is far less important than any other history, european or not, on this f***ing planet. You are the only country since nineties that made at least 6 war attempts (basically bombing and destroying without casualties, and if you think you have serious casualties go and ask the afghan people , serbs, somalians or any other poor nation about their CIVILIAN losses.
In europe's and the rest of the world's eyes you are no different than Nazis in 1939......
Now what the rest of the world should do about that? maybe someone has to do something about your terrorism...on the planet don't you think?
Listen....Your government in the last 8 months has started 2 bloody unfair wars against "3rd world" countries. Also another plan of this pathetic government of your's is to attack north Korea as well.
You try to prove to me and to the rest that you are liberators and fight for peace. First of all you have never fought. First of all your American history is far less important than any other history, european or not, on this f***ing planet. You are the only country since nineties that made at least 6 war attempts (basically bombing and destroying without casualties, and if you think you have serious casualties go and ask the afghan people , serbs, somalians or any other poor nation about their CIVILIAN losses.
In europe's and the rest of the world's eyes you are no different than Nazis in 1939......
Now what the rest of the world should do about that? maybe someone has to do something about your terrorism...on the planet don't you think?
Like I said, your views are narrowed and anti-Americans motivated. All you do is attack people without facts. Sure our country declared wars on 2 other countries in the last 8 months, but how does that make us wrong? You have any idea how long Al Qaida had declared war on the US? Longer than 10 years, but what did we get from sitting back?
Im not trying to prove to you that were liberaters. Im just making a point that you are jealous of Americans, no matter what we do, were evil. How do I know that? YOu just turned this topic from 'how we should go to war with Saddam' to 'what Americans do'. Because we fit the description from the fairty tales your momma told you when you were young. The rich and more powerful are evil.
Our terrorism? You care to elaborate?
Too bad youre just another misinformed poor human being otherwise this link should make you realize that most, if not all the comments youve made are full of shit and hypocrism.
WARNING Explicit images... http://www.thememoryhole.org/war/thisiswar/
I don't get your point. So War is *ALWAYS* wrong?
WAR???
What war? That is not a war...that is the same story again where The American Government decides who dies and who lives. The worst thing is that the American people are naive and they feel proud of it !!! Oh My God.....Bush says "they are terrorists...Bomb them " and Stupid people follow!!! I will tell you what....If u guys supporting that killing out there, claiming it to be a solution, had your home bombed and your loving ones burned alive then you wouldn't think that THIS is the solution. I think that sitting in your big sofas eating Hot Dogs watching CNN presenting the massacre of a Nation as a solution keeps you right where your government wants you to be and makes you feel proud for being part of this instead of beeing ashamed. Since most of you Americans have probably never been aware that the only thing you have more that all the other countries on earth is money you make yourselves believe that money = politismic advance, money = civilisation.
And you know what? Right know I would so much prefer to speak German rather than English.....at least i wouldn't be so stupid to follow without questioning first.
YET another poster blinded by hatred of the United States....next time leave the emotion behind. Perhaps then you won't sound so pathetic.
