Mar 23 - In the beginning I was very much against war. Against war because war means the inevitable deaths of too many innocents. Against it because it is what I've been taught hate. And most importantly, I was against it because the world seemingly was against it. But now I'm not so sure.

Not because I think there's nothing that can be done to stop it, but because I'm beginning to understand the logic behind it--the pure logic. I view myself as a liberal--someone who is willing to see beyond conventional methods, and more importantly, someone who spends time thinking about an idea. I think everyone should be liberal.

A lot of anti-war protestors claim to be liberals, and I too often hear that the pro-war side is full of conservatives. But tell me, how can you be a liberal, if you are a pacifist? A pacifist--one who opposes war no matter the circumstances, one who believes that war can never be justified. Isn't that purely conservative thinking?

I see many problems in our world, and as an idealist, I believe that peace should be the ultimate goal in any action. But many people fail to see where the barriers to true world peace actually are, and sometimes, the only path to true lasting peace is through war. I do not believe that the problems of the world will solve themselves, and perhaps taking this action will indeed bring us a better future. But of course, we don't know if that future will actually materialize. But as a liberal, I'm willing to take the risk. Tony Blair's speech on Iraq is what did a great deal of convincing (GOD I wish we had him instead of Bush).

...this indulgence has to stop. Because it is dangerous. It is dangerous if such regimes disbelieve us. Dangerous if they think they can use our weakness, our hesitation, even the natural urges of our democracy towards peace, against us. Dangerous because one day they will mistake our innate revulsion against war for permanent incapacity; when in fact, pushed to the limit, we will act. But then when we act, after years of pretence, the action will have to be harder, bigger, more total in its impact. Iraq is not the only regime with WMD. But back away now from this confrontation and future conflicts will be infinitely worse and more devastating...

Go through this war and we may achieve a greater peace. Oppose it, and let the problem escalate, and perhaps we are only setting ourselves up for a bigger fall. To all the truly liberal-minded people out there, the peace which you so fight for now, may only bring a greater holocaust in the future. This war is NOT a fight for oil (your "no blood for oil" argument is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard), this is a fight for peace. Blair knows it, BUSH doesn't see it but he's on the right side, the 35 nations of the coalition knows it--the French president is going for the right goal (peace) but the wrong instance of it. And I'm beginning to see it.

Am I still for peace? Of course, for the same reasons that I mentioned in the beginning. But I'm beginning to think that the only way to peace may be this little war.

The ONLY thing I'm still uneasy about is the failure to obtain a solid UN resolution symbolizing a global sanctioning of this war. But I do not blame the U.N., OR even the U.S. and U.K. for this. Rather, I point the finger at the conservative France government, who seem to be either (a) oblivious to the present escalating problem, or (b) simply selfish in putting their own economic interests first.

I still strongly believe in the U.N. to be the organization bringing world peace. And finally, I have to say that it is not the fault of the U.N Security Council, as Bush constantly states. Blair, "The paralysis of the UN has been born out of the division there is [in the world]." This world is divided, but hopefully, open minded people will see the necessity of action. Now people everywhere must ask themselves, "what am I fighting for?" It's pretty simple. There are those that are protesting against the governments of the coalition--these people are fighting for peace now--a peace that will only breed greater disregard for the international community in the minds of distasteful leaders around the world--a peace that will bring about a greater conflict, a higher fall. OR you are fighting now for the peace of the future--a peace that will finally abolish an eccentric regime that is the ultimate barrier to world peace. Just know which side you're fighting for.