Posted October 11, 2002

Lamentations

I would like to recommend to your readers to check out Alan Bock's most recent article, "War For Frivolous Reasons," (Antiwar.com, October 8, 2002) if they haven't already. It is a very good summary of exactly what is wrong with the Bush Administration's case against Saddam Hussein as a pretext for military action against Iraq. As a Canadian it is often difficult for me to separate anti-Americanism from anti-Militarism simply because American culture so dominates North America and the world for that matter.

I was a young teenager back in the '60s and that era of protests against the war in Vietnam was not solely motivated by anti-militarism but was also clearly a reaction against the blatant increase in the idiotic cult of American Consumerism and the paternalistic, socially conservative, repressive politics of Richard Nixon. If anti-Americanism and anti-Militarism seem like deformed congenital twins for those patriotic Americans who have a yearning nostalgia for a return to their beloved Old Republic that at one time in the far-flung past of American history was indeed a righteous, just nation, I share their lamentations. The sad reality though is that the Old Republic has long been dead and buried by the ravages of warmongering tyrants as well as outrageous social repressive, anti-liberty, anti-freedom agendas of the War on Drugs of the likes of the Richard Nixons of the present narco-imperialist empire. Would you buy a used Constitution from such a man?

~ D.D., Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec

Better Backtalk

The Backtalk of October 7 is too self-laudatory -- another form of propaganda? Better would be Backtalk that confirms or opposes any points by facts.

~ Ron Gorthuis

Thanks

I would like to thank Antiwar.com for helping to increase my vocabulary.

This site has taught me the meaning of terms like neoconservative and the wonderful phrase the War Party. Now I would like to add a phrase of my own.

Personally, I can't believe someone on this site hasn't picked up on this already. That is the term preemptive strike. I suggest whenever you hear the term preemptive strike you replace it with a more accurate phrase, ... aggressive war.

Now, to all of you out there if you enjoy this site help support it. I love it, and read it everyday. And despite the fact I’m a cheapskate I donated $100.

~ Jim Vinsel

Deterministic Conservative Defeatism?

Regarding "Weary Lonesome Blues," by Christopher Montgomery:

I tried as best I could to decipher Montgomery's latest word salad today (October 9) but had to give up. Is he a wannabe Hitchens or what gives? I heard that "marches don't do any good" BS back in the '60s and '70s by ... Tories like Montgomery and it was totally wrong then as well as now. It is the usual deterministic conservative defeatism. But after reading his views on Ireland, which are comparable to Ariel Sharon's on Palestine, nothing would surprise me. ...

~ Michael P. Hardesty, Oakland, California

DemoPublican Coup

As Senator Byrd, Representative Paul, and men like Scott Ritter have shown, the current war resolution being rammed through our Congress is nothing less than an unconstitutional coup. A core group of DemoPublicans are trying to "cook" our Constitution the way Enron cohorts successfully "cooked" their company's books. Whether Enron's board approved its sleazy accounting, or congressional leadership approves Mr. Bush's resolution, both are wrong and "we the people" need to stop it.

If this imperious and illegal war-cry wins approval on the Hill, I refuse to sit back in despair. Our forefathers fought monarchical power to give birth to our nation. Rising up against such abuse is as relevant today. Don't fail us now, Justin. I'm looking to you and Antiwar.com for guidance on future action.

~ Thomas Parsons, Dripping Springs, Texas

Foot in Mouth Christianity

Did Jerry Falwell ever read the chapter in the Bible about the Apostle Paul's visit to the Temple of the Unknown God in ancient Greece? I don't recall him making any accusations towards the ancient Greeks and their beliefs. Moreover, Mr. Falwell should not be making accusations against the Muslims and their beliefs. Jerry Falwell is a poor spokesman for Christianity. He reminds me of the newscaster, Les Nessman, of the old WKRP in Cincinnati television show -- open mouth and insert foot!

~ Corkey C., Jersey Shore

Western Eyes

Thank you very much for telling the truth. I thought at first you were just another liberal publication that looks at the world through western eyes. In fact you are very unbiased and only present fact. I wish all media was like you guys. Keep it up and long live the truth!

~ PS

Editor's note:

Backtalk editor Sam Koritz is profiled in the Real World section of October's Smart Money magazine (print version only, not available online).