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Mar. 18th, 2003 10:14 am
Reconstructive thoughts
I had a surprisingly wonderful time at the opera last night. I enjoyed the whole thing, I went to bed elated, I slept well, I awoke in a pleasant haze--
--and then the radio came on, and I felt sick again.
Perhaps it was only selfish fear. Last time we bombed Iraq, it was easy to dismiss as empty threats to bring the war to us. Not any more. But the overriding thought in my head, the one I haven't been able to shake, is "We have failed." As a superpower, as an international community, as a species--on whatever level. War is always an admission of failure: Of communication, of imagination, of dedication.
Blah blah blah blah blah.
I take hope from the idea that war may be inevitable, but the outcome isn't. I now see my responsibility as holding our leaders to their promises of just and humane treatment of the Iraqi people, the speedy restoration of their welfare and political rights, and the institution of a functioning economy and stable democratic government. Those of you reading that famous Baghdad blog will see that's just what the author has called for in his most recent rant.
What he hasn't said--and what I need y'all's help with--is coming up with concrete ways to do that. Here's what I have so far:
I know if I really followed my principles, the thing to do would be to volunteer full-time for one of the watchdog or aid organisations, but I'm too damn self-centred. Still there must be other concrete actions that fall between a 24/7 commitment and fulminating impotently in my LJ that I haven't thought of. What are they?
--and then the radio came on, and I felt sick again.
Perhaps it was only selfish fear. Last time we bombed Iraq, it was easy to dismiss as empty threats to bring the war to us. Not any more. But the overriding thought in my head, the one I haven't been able to shake, is "We have failed." As a superpower, as an international community, as a species--on whatever level. War is always an admission of failure: Of communication, of imagination, of dedication.
Blah blah blah blah blah.
I take hope from the idea that war may be inevitable, but the outcome isn't. I now see my responsibility as holding our leaders to their promises of just and humane treatment of the Iraqi people, the speedy restoration of their welfare and political rights, and the institution of a functioning economy and stable democratic government. Those of you reading that famous Baghdad blog will see that's just what the author has called for in his most recent rant.
What he hasn't said--and what I need y'all's help with--is coming up with concrete ways to do that. Here's what I have so far:
- Support candidates who will honour a commitment to reconstruct Iraq.
- Urge congresscritters in writing to do the same.
- Donate funds to watchdog groups (and campaign for their access to post-war Iraq if necessary).
- Donate funds and supplies to aid groups who will be helping the Iraqis directly.
I know if I really followed my principles, the thing to do would be to volunteer full-time for one of the watchdog or aid organisations, but I'm too damn self-centred. Still there must be other concrete actions that fall between a 24/7 commitment and fulminating impotently in my LJ that I haven't thought of. What are they?