Only time will tell if this is the right way to go about solving the Iraq problem.

I don't see how attacking Iraq is protecting the country. It's only going to increase hatred the world over for the US. What we're really protecting is our alliance with Israel, which is the reason we are in this mess to begin with. If American-made tanks weren't rolling through the streets of Palestinian neighborhoods, perhaps Muslim sentiment would be different.

Perhaps ashamed is the wrong word. I'm proud of our service men and women who are putting themselves in harms way. I'm proud of the many protests nationwide over this situation. I'm proud to live in a place where it's okay to speak out againts the leadership.

On the other hand, it's sad to watch as our individual rights are stripped away in the interest of "national security". It's sad to see people support this war without thinking about the repercussions for US citizens and the rest of the world. That's what I'm ashamed of. I'm ashamed of the US further undermining UN authority. This war will render the UN basically useless. If a member country doesn't have to follow UN guidelines, what is the point in having a UN?

Of course, I agree that Hussein is a bad seed and that he needs to be removed, but the UN is the proper channel for this. We need to be patient, now that the world spotlight is on this issue, increase the number of inspectors, insert UN peacekeepers, and let the inspectors do their jobs.

Don't get me twisted. I support our troops overseas. My dad is a Vietnam Veteran. I've heard the stories of our boys being spit on when they got back to the world. You won't find me doing anything like that, but I couldn't live with myself if I didn't speak out about this issue. Too many people are blindly following Dubya and Co.'s rhetoric and fearmongering.

Don't think for one minute that this is purely selfless. There is oodles of oil under Iraqi soil. There is an election to be won next year. Public support for the President tends to increase in times of strife. Until bodies start being shipped home. If this is a prolonged campaign (I don't see why it would be.), public support will certainly change.

.ernie - aim: ryptide