Four Years in Iraq

Four years ago today the U.S. Military invaded Iraq. In February of 2003, about five weeks before the war was to begin, I attended a War Protest Rally, I was 19 years old. Today, I'm 23, and I feel no differently than I did back then. I was against this war from day one, and I'm still for it. I don't consider myself a pacifist, I think there are things worth fighting for, but in my opinion, the war in Iraq is not one of them. From the get go, our military was not well-enough equipped to handle what it has had to face. Our country was completely unprepared and utterly unaware of what it was getting itself into to. I don't think our President, our military or the everyday American had any idea the amount of blood that would be shed for this war, nor the amount of sheer backlash it would enquire. While I'm very proud to be an American, the Iraq War in particular (which by the way is really on its second leg--the first being Desert Storm in the early 1990s), has made being an "American," something stupid and pompous. Because our Government did not heed the advice of so many, for so long, up until a few weeks ago, four very long years later, we're still talking about, and fighting, this war. There is another anit-war protest tonight, this time, I'm choosing not go. I've written my letters, sent my emails and am clearly stating my opinion in this blog. I've learned a lot in the last four years, one of them being, if an instution of rich people want something badly enough, they will go after it and they will get it; regardless of the "little man," has to say about it. I'm not hopeless, and it's not that I don't care. I've just gotten wise enough to know that I can do my part, but it's just that, a part, I cannot single handidly end a war, and as it turns out, neither can America. I'm glad I can speak my mind and state my opinion. I'm blessed and grateful to be able to pubically write that I'm against this war. But, I also have my own life. My personal life that, thankfully, is not at war. My life is beautiful. Every day I thank God for my blessings and I thank God for the many, many men and women who fight for my freedom(s). Even if and when I don't agree with the task at hand, I fully support the brave soldiers who rally on in the face of fear, and now, the face of stupidity. America has become a mochary in the eyes of the world, and I can see why. But, what I would like us to remember this day is all that is still right in America. Yes, over 3,000 men and women have died since March 19th, 2003--more than the number of poeple who died in the 9/11 attacks. Yes, our military is still not fully equipped, overworked and underpaid. A lot of my generation is being killed in a senseless war, but mine isn't the first generation to experience loss because of a war, and mine won't be the last. The great thing about America is I can sit here and say this. I can sit here, in my nice, clean home--surrounded by the love and family and friends, and speak my mind. I can go where I please, when I please, with whom I please, wearing whatever I please. While a lot of our privilages are being taken away here in America, a ton of them still remain, and I thank God for that. And I thank my brave soldiers for that. THEY are the ones who are suffering, not me. THEY are the ones who so boldy chose to go into situations and conditions that I cannot even begin to fathom, and wouldn't want to. THEY are the reason so many of us Americans ARE against the war, because we're tired of watching them suffer needlessly and oftentimes to end up dead. But, on the other hand, someone always has to pay a price, and at least there are people out there willing to do it, because of this, THEY are the ones who, despite the turmoil, make me proud to be an American! Now, if we could only get them the proper pay, compensation and benefits they so richly deserve, and have so rightly earned, I might be even prouder to call myself an "American." But, I digress. I'll just close by putting two links aside this entry; one for the war, one against it. The problem is, I don't think it's that simple. It's not an "you're either with us, or against us," type of thing. War, religion, humanity--never was. All of the preceeding is much too complex to be given such a watered-down, black-or-white answer. But, if I had to choose a side, I'm definately more against the Iraq war, than for it. Whichever side you're on, at least take a moment to say a prayer for all of those who've gone before this entry, and who currently and so bravely, put their lives, and their families' santiy, on the line, each and every day. God Bless every single one of them, God Bless all of us, and of course, God Bless America!!!

In Love & Light,
-Sarah Liz :)