In response to:
To those who dare tell others especially their own countrymen that it is wrong, that it is un-patriotic or un-american to criticize your leaders, here is a quote from Theodore Roosevelt that is most often ignored, read it and try to think about it :
" To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only UNPATRIOTIC and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American people." Perhaps more of you should know your political history a lot better.
While I have your attention, may I offer this interesting quote from every one's favourite talk-show host, Johnny Carson, who never went for saying much that is memorable, but this is unique:
Democracy is buying a big house you can't afford with money you don't have to impress people you wish were dead.
And, unlike communism, democracy does not mean having just one ineffective political party; it means having two ineffective political parties.
Democracy is welcoming people from other lands, and giving them something to hold onto---usually a mop or a leaf blower.
It means that with proper timing and scrupulous bookkeeping, anyone can die owing the government a huge amount of money....
Democracy means free television, not good television, but free.
And finally, democracy is the eagle on the back of a dollar bill, with 13 arrows in one claw, 13 leaves on a branch, 13 tail feathers, and 13 stars over its head---this signifies that when the white man came to this country, it was bad luck for the Indians, bad luck for the trees, bad luck for the wildlife, and lights out for the American eagle."
A lot of metaphors in that piece; well to figure out what he meant.
Reading all these posts, I must admit that I'm astounded at the volume of coherent, well worded opinions and a general sense of agreement among so many. It is positively "uplifting" to read from mature adults who can express themselves with reasoned well informed opinions and not the usual primitive sanctimonious canned responses from political puppets who are desperate to "tow the line" of the totally corrupt and truly vile regime that presently governs you, just waiting to have your name turned in by some deluded patriot to this regime...perhaps after all this turmoil is settled and your troops are back in your own country with everyone licking their wounds over this latest blood-letting, try taking a page from other countries to try and prevent this from ever happening again; ban outright this Republican party that has so damaged your country; (remember Vietnam...same party that escalated that war...and brought you defeat by a third world but dedicated people's army). Disband it, ban it and go after it's officials; clean house for once, go after the multinationals and all the corporations that aided and abetted this war and made huge profits doing it. Close down and try their directors, chairmen and board members; follow their money trails. Try them and execute them. Don't let your grand kids endure another war for profits...maybe then the rest of the world will believe and trust you again. Tat world still outnumbers you, why keep making more enemies...
Overall, I would generally agree with this post, with the exception of attaching blame exclusively to the Republican party and a few other minor details that have gone unaddressed. Even with a Democrat controlled congress now- the dog and pony show continues. The Democrat controlled congress has the ability to stop this war tomorrow- by voting to cut off funding (even though I believe congress is on break now...stopping the war must not be THAT important to them afterall). A point in history I believe you have erred on. The escalation in the Vietnam actually began and was pertpetrated by President Lyndon B. Johnson (democrat) and democratic controlled congress with the phoney "Gulf of Tonkin" resolution (after John Kennedy's (democrat) introduction of "advisors"). Granted, Richard Nixon (republican) escalated it further with bombing sortes and such... ending in defeat as you indicated. I don't believe corporations/businesses are to blame at all. They are only doing what they are meant to do- create, manufacture, and sell products for profit. By making the indictment to try and execute corporate executives- you indict each and every person at this site as a conspirator. Example- Are Microsoft technologies being used in Iraq to fight this war? Yes... and chances are most people here have purchased and are using the same products (Windows operating system) from the same (for profit) corporation. Haliburton- put out oil well fires in Iraq when Saddam Hussien had them ignited during the first Gulf War. If you use ANY gasoline or oil... you're complicit again. Then only reason corporations have money to begin with- is because people like you and I buy/use their products we want or need. When pointing a finger at coporations- three fingers are pointed back at us. The true hypocrisy of war in my opinion is the person who speaks out against it... while continuing to fund it through their lifestyle choices and financially reaps the benefits from it personally.