My own actions during the invasion of Iraq certainly do not fit Thoreau's conception of patriotism. Patriotism is not an act against the established government, it is not writing blasphemous poetry; it is the love of your country, as it exists. I love my country, the United States of America.
To label Sadaam Husayn as a cruel despot who deserved what he had coming to him is a sharp understatement. The regime of Sadaam Husayn was as merciless to its own people as has been the United States Armed Forces to Iraq in the past year's campaign. While we can freely speak in disfavor of the poor treatment of people in Kenya, Haiti, and Bosnia, and effectively justify the subsequent United States' military interventions, the terror in Iraq has been a much more sensitive issue.
The regime in power previous to the United States invasion was one instilled with deception, torture, and greed.
English: Chicago and North Western Railway locomot...
President George Bush introduces the Joint Resolut...
II (The Presidents of the United States of America...A hungrier people could not have existed in such a land as that ruled under Sadaam. The people lived in Fear of Sadaam, not in reverence. They did not have the right to speak poorly of Sadaam for his decades of oppression as we do for Bush's four years as President. Patriots beware: do not take for granted what freedoms you are given.
The secrecy of Sadaam, regarding his regime, was intolerable for a man known to be such a threat to peace. He had never full complied with weapons inspections. The regime had caused more suspicion and confusion on their own part, even if they had not committed any crimes against humanity, to require a full investigation.
Do I believe that Iraq was an immediate and overwhelming threat to the United States of America? Iraq was no more a threat to the US than...