Mar 19 - So it appears that war against Iraq is now imminent. Blame goes to Saddam Hussein here. Nothing for me to do anymore, except maybe hope that the war is quick and minimal blood is shed. I and millions of others around the world did what we could. From what I'm hearing Iraqi civilians are tensing up--getting ready best they can for whatever is coming at them--in general they don't have the 'stomach' for a fight--good for them. I respect those who have the sense to defect/surrender. Thousands of less fortunate will die in the coming weeks. As for us here, I can only hope that those in the international community will understand... whatever we're doing. I'm not sure what's right anymore. I still think Hussein and his weapons are a threat--but I still don't like the idea of war. War is a line in history that is a 'one time crossing only'.

If what we're doing ultimately ends up to be wrong in the eyes of history, I hope that history records the many millions who opposed war as well as the American military victory. This may be the beginning of a dark age of international history--a big regression in an era of continuing human advancement. In struggling to this Iraq war, we have alienated many nations and scores of people around the world. Concepts from Blair's political future, the Atlantic alliance, to the United Nations and the relevancy of the international community that its represents. 

This is one thing that far too many seem to be overlooking--I've said it before, and I say it now: the UN itself is only an organization of represented nations. It's easy to say that it's irrelevant until you realize that what you're actually saying is that you're saying that the NATIONS represented there are irrelevant. The truth is that most of the world doesn't support the war, and this is clearly reflected in the UN Security Council. The UN was not created as a means for the U.S. to get its work approved. But that's all been said. Whatever the hell happens now, the real cost of this war has yet to be seen. But this war, and the future that comes afterwards... it's not much to look forward to.So Mr. President... maybe against all these challenges I'll get some inner peace knowing that your ideal of a "free Iraq" is being realize. Or maybe your "Operation: Iraq Freedom," won't be all it was set up to me. Or maybe not. I'll hope for the best, but I'm gonna prepare for the worst.

May fortune favor everyone in this time of unnecessary human conflict, and whatever comes after...

...and I hear a thunderstorm off in the distance... literally.