PD, now I understand why you are attacking me. Your husband is in the military. Therefore, nothing I say can influence your thinking.

However, while I asked a lot of questions, you attacked my intelligence. You say I am a denialist, that I did not read your posts, I glossed over regrettable fact, I denigrate this country, the blindness of my post.

The problem comes when people are so emotionally invested in supporting the military that they attack anyone who disagrees with them. Free speech? Perhaps, but at the cost of being labeled blind and denigrating?

I said I love this country, but not the foreign policy. Our foreign policy is despised all over the world. Have you any idea why? It’s the war mongering mentality, the constant meddling. Have you read Overthrow? Then you will realize the negative consequences of US meddling in foreign affairs.

Because of my disapproval of the military actions, you want me to return to Berlin. I’ve never even been to Berlin. Why should I go there now?

Should everyone who disagrees with you go back to their home country? Should all blacks who don’t like war go back to Africa? Isn’t it called free speech to say your mind?

Should all protesters return to their countries, too? My husband hates the Iraq war also, and his ancestors are from Norway. Perhaps he should go to Norway after he drops me off in Berlin?

You say I ignore the atrocities of the German people. Huh??? You lost me there.

I find that pro-war people attack anti-war people as being unpatriotic. Why is war patriotic? Can someone be patriotic and despise war and the military cause?

I can understand that your husband did not want to go to Iraq. Does he have the freedom to resist? Or would he be court martialed? How much freedom does a military member have to question, or is blind adherence required? I don’t think it’s worth it for him to risk his life for Iraq. I hope you will not call me any more names, but he has a duty to ensure his safety so he can raise his kids. Iraq is not worth dying for. Bush would never send his own daughters there, I can guarantee that. At some point, the military personnel must stand up and say, “I love my country and I will defend it, but I refuse to engage in offensive hostile war for your misguided mission, Mr. Bush”.

I wish for your husband’s safety. I’m sorry if I agitate you. I just don’t see the point of all this weapon stuff. It’s all hostile offense, the way I see it.

Look, if Iraq and Iran are such a threat, why aren’t the allies concerned? Why doesn’t Russia care about Iran’s nuclear project? Why is China negotiating with them? It must be because Iran is speaking the truth: they are working on peaceful nuclear projects. If they weren’t, wouldn’t Germany, England, and their neighboring countries be in arms? Why is the US usually the first one to want a war? Why not a war in Nigeria? Don’t we have atrocities there?

PD, if you really want to make the world better, go and improve the economies of these oppressed nations. Their terrorists are a result of a lack of hope and opportunity. The US could divert the bomb-making money to economic opportunities. Build a coalition with them, teach them to farm, educate their kids, bring healthcare technologies. This is what I mean with love. I don’t mean you go and hug them all, although you could 🙂 I mean you go and help them, so they don’t want to come and hurt you. No nation goes to hunt down its allies! You figure out how to make every country your allly, either by needing you for trade, or for support (food, medicine, education). I know this is a different way to think, but the military could take this approach.

Please don’t think that you must support Bush’s ideas to love your country. It’s okay to not blindly follow him. Bush is evil. So is war. Just because Afghanis kill each other, doesn’t mean we must do it also. Aren’t we above that?