When Cowboy George, aka President George W. Bush attempted to bully the world into invading Iraq more than a decade ago Canada, under Prime Minister Chretien, politely declined. We received a great deal of criticism from the States and even from within. My mother's evangelical Christian boss spluttered away about our moral cowardice and my gym partner from those days, a congregation member, scolded me (mildly) for taking a pacifist stand. He has since apologised, which was gracious on his part. I have no idea whether mom's boss, who had two American sons-in-law who were conveniently safe in Canada, ever changed his tune.
Earlier this week the Globe and Mail newspaper had a front-section centrefold (they call it the folio) on the cost of the Iraq war. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/iraq-a-decade-later-the-invasions-heavy-toll-in-lives-and-treasure/article9937412/
It gives the number of civilian deaths in Iraq at a staggering 110,000 while 800,000 more have been wounded. Some say these figures are low. More than 4,000 US soldiers died, and tens of thousands were injured. One million Americans served in Iraq, and don't try to tell me that any of them came back unscathed, even though they are not counted amongst the injured. Financial cost to the United States? A trillion dollars was spent by the military, although the total cost was more like three to four trillion.
God, what is wrong with us as human beings? We fight and kill and glorify it all. To what end? What was accomplished in Iraq.
Our scales of economy are different in Canada but many families lost their young loved ones and billions were spent on another war in Afghanistan, one we just couldn't resist and with a murky outcome at best. Now the government which cheer-led for our troops is cutting back military spending drastically and our veterans are wondering why the country which sent them to war is so miserly in supporting them on their return.
Christians have long had a theory or philosophy of "just war" but it is hard to actually find a conflict which fits into the category.
Thoughts?
If Harper had been PM 10 years ago, we would have been in Iraq too. I remember in an election debate when Paul Martin talked about how Harper wrote a letter to the Wall Street Journal apologizing for Canada declining to be involved in that war.
ReplyDeleteTen years since the start of the Iraq war, and look what happened in Iraq this week. Dozens of car bombs, suicide bombers and scores killed.
They stepped over the line from "Peace Keepers" to "Invaders".
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing to wear the blue berret and protect the civilian population, but once the mission is changed to one of replacing the government of annother country. That's an invasion.
We complain about our government regularly, but what would we think if another country sent in troops to liberate us from our oppressive regime?
They don't used guns and bullets to keep us in line. They use dollars, and cents.
I agree with everyone above (sorry I'm late!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a debacle ... lost lives, lost opportunities, lost treasure, lost sense of historical perspective.
Bush's presidency will likely be judged right up (down?) there with the likes of Harding and Nixon in terms of infamy, corruption and disastrous decision making.
I share your belief, Rev. David, 100% - thanks for articulating the frustration for us !
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