I got asked on a mailing list why my views on the Iraqi war are so simplistic and one-sided. Ouch! Here’s how I replied:

Like many people, I’m ambivalent about it. I am completely suspicious of the actual motives of the Bush administration and don’t trust the information it’s providing. But I don’t need Bush to tell me that Saddam is a horror that we should never have supported in the first place. That doesn’t necessarily mean that this war is the best way to get rid of him: the carnage may be too high, the final outcome may be worse for the Iraqis, the region may become embroiled in war, Hussein may destroy Israel and Boston on his way out, we may unilaterally destroy the alliances and goodwill towards us that has made the world safer, and IMO we are likely to start a 100 years war against a terrorist movement that is strengthened and emboldened by our attack. How many American cities are you prepared to lose in retaliation for this war?

Note the “may’s” and “if’s.” It could all go great and none of the bad things may happen. I believe that, which is why I’m ambivalent. Ambivalent but not undecided.

Finally, my best guess about why Bush has rummaged through every possible justification for going to war is that we really want to show the world that we are in charge: we are the only superpower and we are willing to use our power. John Perry Barlow says that everyone gets out of the way of the driver who’s unpredictably weaving down the road, and the Iraq war is intended to show that we are willing to intervene unpredictably. But bringing peace through power works only so long as the bad guys can’t get their hands on any boxcutters. Our only hope for long-term safety, IMO, is to live in the world generously, building bridges and trust by showing the generous and loving side of the American character. So, even if all goes perfectly with the war, it will (I’m afraid) establish a policy that I think makes us and our children far less safe.

Notice that I haven’t mentioned WMD. I personally don’t believe that the war has even the slightest thing to do with that.

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If you want your heart to break, view the photos (as a QuickTime slideshow) that Kristen Ashburn took in Zimbabwe.

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If I were George Bush, I’d have Tom Ridge immediately block all broadcasts of Tony Blair’s question time in the House of Commons. The implicit comparison is just too painful.

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Stu Rubinow located the page I was looking for that details the gap between Bush’s words and deeds. Why the press focuses on whether Kerry ever said he’s Irish instead of on this is beyond me.

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Daniel Berninger’s perspective on the context for the coming war on Iraq concludes:

Making the world safe for Democracy means eliminating poverty not threatening Iraq with the death and mayhem of 3000 Tomahawk cruise missiles. Peace will remain elusive as long as we accept the suffering of others as the price of American Democracy…

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Dan Gillmor points out that the media dustup about whether John Kerry has falsely given the impression that he’s Irish is dwarfed by the staggering flow of lies from Goerge Bush.

I’ve lost the link to a recent page that, in table format, compares Bush’s words to his actions. Anyone know which one I’m referring to? Seemed pretty factual and they certainly didn’t spend a lot on making the page look beautiful.

(The fact that I’m sitting one computer over from Dan in the SXSW press room makes blogging this feel pretty weird.)

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Niek Hockx, who takes beautiful photos, including of the blogsphere’s alpha Halley, blogs from the Netherlands about one detail Bush and Rumsfeld might want to consider.

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Now that I’ve registered at the GOP Team Leader site, the one that astroturfs newspapers and politicians, I’ve discovered two serious benefits — three, if you count the points I’m earning towards Valuable Free Gifts by spamming my elected representatives.

First, I’m encouraged to send letters to newspapers and politicians. All I have to do is press a button, and the pre-written, pre-thought message will be fired off. Of course, you can edit the text. In fact, I just wrote a message to Senator Bayh that began as follows (with my additions in caps, of course):

IF YOU GET EMAIL THAT SOUNDS LIKE THIS ONE, it’s coming from the GOP “Team Leader” site and is spam. Speaking for myself: PLEASE KEEP ESTRADA OFF THE BENCH. Thank you.

This reckless filibuster of Miguel Estrada has held up this country’s business for too long. This Thursday, you will have the opportunity to vote to end the filibuster and allow Miguel Estrada a fair, up-or-down vote on the floor of the Senate.

Second, yesterday I received in the mail a lovely “signed” photograph of President Bush along with a request for a donation to the Republican Party. I’m getting to like being a Republican!

(Late note: Estrada has been defeated. Woohoo!)

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The State Representative in Washington who walked out when a Muslim cleric gave the opening prayer on Monday has apologized. The cleric (Mohamad Joban) has been forgiving throughout. But how damn ugly can we get?

Wait, I have the answer! Read this dangerously cold-hearted pile of crap.

(Why the hell do we have prayers in legislatures anyway? God help us!)

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David Isenberg points out that Senate Major Leader Bill “Secnod” Frist is running an online poll about Iraq. This mroning when I went to regsiter my vote, the site reprots that the server is too busy. Concrened citizens or danmed ‘bots?

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