Re: Peter Arnett, Traitor, or what?
Allow me Gigi...<br />You asked, "What is the 'American way of life' (Bush's words) that we are fighting to preserve in Iraq? "<br />I don't presume to speak for what Bush meant, by 'American way of life', but I am an American ,so can speak of my way of life first hand....I am free. I can call Bush a 'cowboy' because of our constitution, which is DOCTRINE of our way of life. Iraq does not have such a thing, nor is it our place as a world-power to change thier regime from one of terror and tyranny, to one of freedom and democracy...But hey, since we are there, why not mimimise enclaves of such regimes? After all, in spite of Bush's words, {"American way of life") the reasons we are there are parmount, and regime change is only a result of removing a threat to any future escalation in the war on terror.<br />Sandman's harboring of alqueda and hammas is no longer only known by our intel....The globe has been shown proof!<br />Another primary reason we are in Iraq are the arms they posses, and the distribution network that now has been brought forward for the world to see or ignore, {IE the WMD tools and training facilities and resulution violations), that have gained world renown with Hammas,Alqueda, IRA, and many other mutant armies around the world. No doubt,we will uncover far more also!<br /><br />you call it "(a bogus assumption anyway)", when all you need to do is watch any newscast (except Al Ja Zeeeraa) to know this. So I aint buying that. Even if you pick up the most liberal toilet paper with ink on it, as long as they stick to reporting the news as opposed to the commentary pages, you read of it there too. So I'm not beliving for a minute YOU believe that. <br />You claim"It has NOTHING to do with free speech? Nothing to do with independent thought? It seems now that if anyone in this country disagree's with this administration's views and policies that we are not patriotic Americans!"<br />This is true, because as of the 14th, we are deeply involved in action on a many different fronts in many lands. This is not just in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemmen,or NYC..It's in your hometown's airport, water treatment plants and power plants!!<br />If what you see bothers you,it should. EVERYTHING having to do with Iraq has EVERYTHING to do with 9-11-01 ! Get with the program, as you are Amercian too, I presume.<br />You stated, "Please! Yes, I support our troops only because I sympathize with them and their families."<br />If that is the only reason, then so be it. But not one of these soldiers has been drafted! He/she is serving his country.They have jobs to do,and do need your support, as do thier families. So I salute you for your support and hope it continues.<br /><br />But when you said, " If Peter Arnett wants to express his personal opinion in an interview (where he is the interview subject), what's wrong with that?"<br />It ceases to be commentary, or reporting. It becomes "Anti-American propaganda"..This is against our military efforts, and in other conflicts those who have done this, have been <br />CONVICTED of treason,(IE, "Tokyo Rose" ,and Matta Hari)<br />" What has it come to?"<br />It has come to a multi-front, all-out, multi billion dollar, war,with Amercian casulties!<br /><br />With "sides"!!<br /><br />"No ONE is allowed to speak out or say anything negative about this war? That's ridiculous!" <br /><br />Sure they are! And what is ridiculus, is that you cite my commander in chief with the "that is bogus" line!!! <br />So, which is it, Gigi? <br />To me, it's the "result" I spoke of earlier. Even tho, this isn't the main reason we are there, you must tell me please, just what is so wrong with that? Bad? Yes. My brothers are dying for it! Wrong? I'd die for you, but I'm too old to get there,and would only hinder our brave team, just as surely as Al Jee zzeeeraaa and the traitorous Arnett or our past ally, France!!<br />Americans have a "side" at this time. And just like Pink Floyd says, "Us and Them"...There now IS an "US and them"!!<br />We wouldn't be arguiong these points before 9/11/01, but that changes our world forever.
<br /><br />Everyone should write him and let him know how "good" a job he is doing over there. 
