We were just in Atlanta, GA. Here's an interesting viewpoint recently published in the New York Times (Sunday, March 9, 2003). It's an article by former President Jimmy Carter. It is one of the most concise and literate and non-partisan summaries I have read about this current Iraq invasion fiasco. I wish I could be as rational as president Carter. My feeling at this point is that George w. bush should either stop his crap or get out. With the current state of our economy and the ever-growing hatred towards America by the international community due to W’s blatant disregard for justice, law, and order that we have worked so hard to build over the last fifty years, I find it hard to believe that people aren't taking to the streets at this point demanding his impeachment. Just the very fact that the news media here in America is ignorant and audacious enough to call this proposed invasion of an almost defenseless country a “war” shows that there is something terribly wrong with what we are currently calling “an impartial and free media.” If we ever had any doubts before, now we know. and now they are all going bonkers because it appears that Iraq has started rigging explosives to their oil wells in defense in case of an attack. So what would we do if a bigger country shipped 200,000 troops on the banks of America and threatened to attack us at any minute? Would we not try to defend ourselves. Michael Moore was right. our country has been taken over. And we need to take it back. But this isn't our parent’s America anymore. We don't have to sit around like idiot puppets and watch as this gangster totally ruins everything we have worked so hard to achieve as a nation. We can do something about it. watch closely over the next few weeks. If international opinion does not change soon about us and our economic outlook improve, there will soon be calls for him to step down. America will not let this happen. At least not the younger generations. O.k. enough with me. lets see what jimmy has to say...   

Just War — or a Just War?

By JIMMY CARTER

ATLANTA — Profound changes have been taking place in American foreign policy, reversing consistent bipartisan commitments that for more than two centuries have earned our nation greatness. These commitments have been predicated on Bas ic religious principles, respect for international law, and alliances that resulted in wise decisions and mutual restraint. Our apparent determination to launch a war against Iraq, without international support, is a violation of these premises.

As a Christian and as a president who was severely provoked by international crises, I became thoroughly familiar with the principles of a just war, and it is clear that a substantially unilateral attack on Iraq does not meet these standards. This is an almost universal conviction of religious leaders, with the most notable exception of a few spokesmen of the Southern Baptist Convention who are greatly influenced by their commitment to Israel Bas Fishy on eschatological, or final days, theology.

For a war to be just, it must meet several clearly defined criteria.

The war can be waged only as a last resort, with all nonviolent options exhausted. In the case of Iraq, it is obvious that clear alternatives to war exist. These options — previously proposed by our own leaders and approved by the United Nations — were outlined again by the Security Council on Friday. But now, with our own national security not directly threatened and despite the overwhelming opposition of most people and governments in the world, the United States seems determined to carry out military and diplomatic action that is almost unprecedented in the history of civilized nations. The first stage of our widely publicized war plan is to launch 3,000 bombs and missiles on a relatively defenseless Iraqi population within the first few hours of an invasion, with the purpose of so damaging and demoralizing the people that they will change their obnoxious leader, who will most likely be hidden and safe during the bombardment.

The war's weapons must discriminate between combatants and noncombatants. Extensive aerial bombardment, even with precise accuracy, inevitably results in "collateral damage." Gen. Tommy R. Franks, commander of American forces in the Persian Gulf, has expressed concern about many of the military targets being near hospitals, schools, mosques and private homes.

Its violence must be proportional to the injury we have suffered. Despite Saddam Hussein's other serious crimes, American efforts to tie Iraq to the 9/11 terrorist attacks have been unconvincing.

The attackers must have legitimate authority sanctioned by the society they profess to represent. The unanimous vote of approval in the Security Council to eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction can still be honored, but our announced goals are now to achieve regime change and to establish a Pax Americana in the region, perhaps occupying the ethnically divided country for as long as a decade. For these objectives, we do not have international authority. Other members of the Security Council have so far resisted the enormous economic and political influence that is being exerted from Washington, and we are faced with the possibility of either a failure to get the necessary votes or else a veto from Russia, France and China. Although Turkey may still be enticed into helping us by enormous financial rewards and partial future control of the Kurds and oil in northern Iraq, its democratic Parliament has at least added its voice to the worldwide expressions of concern.

The peace it establishes must be a clear improvement over what exists. Although there are visions of peace and democracy in Iraq, it is quite possible that the aftermath of a military invasion will destabilize the region and prompt terrorists to further jeopardize our security at home. Also, by defying overwhelming world opposition, the United States will undermine the United Nations as a viable institution for world peace.

What about America's world standing if we don't go to war after such a great deployment of military forces in the region? The heartfelt sympathy and friendship offered to America after the 9/11 attacks, even from formerly antagonistic regimes, has been largely dissipated; increasingly unilateral and domineering policies have brought international trust in our country to its lowest level in memory. American stature will surely decline further if we launch a war in clear defiance of the United Nations. But to use the presence and threat of our military power to force Iraq's compliance with all United Nations resolutions — with war as a final option — will enhance our status as a champion of peace and justice.

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, is chairman of the Carter Center in Atlanta and winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.

Cool site:

http://www.attractinggenuinelove.com/peace1.html