WAR IN IRAQ

I am so unsettled and bothered by the war in Iraq. Though I voted in two elections for George W. Bush as President, I expect I am like many Americans, who are greatly disappointed by the way his administration has waged the war in Iraq. Of course, the terrible toll this war has taken on human lives is the saddest and most serious tragedy.

Over these five years the stated objective for the war in Iraq has changed as information and events have changed. It has been a clear contrast to the Gulf War of 1991 when a clearly stated objective was achieved and the war ended.

Though some claim the current economic situation is most important to Americans right now, how can we neglect the great import of this war for the long run in the realms of economics, politics, international relations, morality and religion?http://www.renditionmovie.com

Truth is stranger than fiction. Last night I saw a segment titled “Nightmare at Guantanamo” on the CBS news program “60 Minutes.” Murat Kurnaz, born and raised in Germany, was detained for five years as a terrorist suspect by America’s shadow justice system, even though there was never any evidence that he had any links to a terrorist organization or posed any threat to America. He claims he was tortured by being held under water, shocked, and suspended from the ceiling. He says he was interrogated for months, beaten, deprived of sleep for weeks, along with other awful treatment. Video and transcript is available at:http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/28/60minutes/main3976928.shtml

Also last night I watched “In the Valley of Elah,” a movie in which Tommy Lee Jones was nominated for an Oscar this year as best actor. The title takes its name from the valley where David met Goliath. The movie shows the anguish and pain that the war in Iraq has inflicted on American soldiers and their families. Clearly the film is an anti-war statement, but just as surely it conveys the truth of the impact of this war. http://wip.warnerbros.com/inthevalleyofelah

Last week I watched “Bush’s War” on “Frontline,” the investigative documentary program on public broadcasting television. It chronicles the misconceptions and failed planning and management by our political and military leaders. To see a trailer or the full program go to: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline

Today I have read the official positions on Iraq by the three current major candidates for President.

John McCain’s strategy for victory emphasizes military might through more troops on the ground who “clear, hold, and build.” As stability is achieved these resources would be used increasingly to train and equip Iraqi forces and police, as well as for reconstruction and employment. International pressure should be brought upon Syria and Iran to change their behavior. http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/fdeb03a7-30b0-4ece-8e34-4c7ea83f11d8.htm

Hillary Clinton’s plan is to end the war by a phased redeployment of American troops, starting with the first 60 days of her administration. She would direct aid through entities most likely to get it in the hands of the Iraqi people. Diplomacy through the United Nations would be used to broker peace in Iraq and the region. http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/iraq

Barack Obama’s plan to end the war is to have all US combat troops out of Iraq by the end of 2009. He would have the UN convene a new constitutional convention until national reconciliation is achieved and major contentious issues resolved. He would promote a regional compact among neighboring nations.http://www.barackobama.com/issues/pdf/IraqFactSheet.pdf

Note that McCain calls his approach a “strategy for victory,” while Clinton and Obama call for a “plan to end the war.” All three seem to acknowledge that America faces a stiff challenge to salvage a horrible situation that has been enlarged and worsened by the faulty decisions of our own political and military leaders.

In my opinion, Obama has the most engaging and likeable personality to present his views, though I think they rest too much in a naive “ivory tower.” His proposed pull-out reflects the exasperation after so many attempted solutions that have not borne promised fruit but prolonged the agony.


The issue of this war dominates our news and invades our entertainment. Recently I saw the movie, “Rendition” in which a CIA analyst questions his assignment after witnessing an unorthodox interrogation of a suspect held unjustly at a secret detention facility outside the U.S.

I must admit my distaste and distrust for Hillary Clinton cause me to dismiss most anything that she says. She simply seems so phony to me. After twenty years of the Bushes and Clintons in the White House it is time for "regime change."

In McCain I fear his military solutions and fiery personality might fuel the continued perception of America as arrogant and pushy. Yet he honestly acknowledges the motivation of Iraq's oil reserves, the complexity of the current civil war, and the difficult and long road to success if our troops remain. My hope would be that he would strike a more diplomatic tone that would appeal to the world community.

What are some other approaches to lay foundational principles for a solution? To begin with, what is the cause of the problem? To both questions the letter of James in the New Testament gives some answers. I find these selected passages helpful and hopeful.
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
God bless America!