I don't believe this war ~ the one for which the administration is planning so diligently whilst simultaneously denying the certainty of conflict ~ is a just war.

I don't believe the administration has the liberation of Iraqi citizens foremost on its mind.

I don't buy it one bit when they say this isn't about oil or revenge.

I believe in my heart that the president is a reckless man, out to protect his own interests, capable of deceit to promote a war that will enrich his own coffers and that of his close pals.

I don't believe Iraq is an immediate threat to national security, I have little faith that an attack on Iraq would result in the capture and/or death of Saddam Hussein, and I believe he is far more dangerous out and about than he is contained, with the full weight of the UN upon him.

I believe a preemptive strike, which violates all kinds of international law, will create more violence. It will give Muslim fundamentalists one more reason to hate the US, it will fuel an already out of control fire burning in terrorist camps worldwide, it will give opportunist nations like North Korea a chance to flex their muscle ~ at a time when our attentions will be elsewhere, and it sets a horrible precedent. If we have the right to attack those who might attack us, well then, other nations have the same right to attack us as a 'preemptive' measure.

There is hypocrisy within this administration over how it deals with "rogue states" and their nuclear capacity. Iraq has no means to deliver a nuclear attack to the US. North Korea does. Iraq is currently under heavy scrutiny by the UN, North Korea isn't. North Korea has already said it will be more than happy to strike first. Yet Iraq remains the focus of all our military might.

I am frustrated with those who support the president and their assumption that anyone who is against Bush is anti-American. I'm just furious that my patriotism is constantly called into question. Michael has begged me not to write this little diatribe, but I'm here, and I am going to say my piece.

I am an American. I am proud as hell of the things this country can accomplish when we collectively set our minds to it. I have seen how 'the other half' lives and still believe with all my heart that despite the obvious flaws in our system of government, we're still the best option around.

I've been a military wife for ten years. I've said goodbye to my husband and not known if he'd return alive. I've sat watching the news and prayed for the families of the fallen military members, and slip in a small request that my family not be next. I know what my husband does for a living, what he's chosen to do and I'm proud as hell of him. He's got an outstanding service record, has been commended more than once for his commitment to his job (and his country). He does it for sucky pay, little recognition, and throughout major inconveniences to our marital life and our family life. He's missed birthdays, holidays, whole months of his children's lives. He's done it willingly, without any delusions of what he was doing or for whom he was doing it. I am proud of him, of every friend we have worldwide who is doing a job that, frankly, not too many people want to do.

I grow weary of hearing, upon the notice of another airman's death, "well, that's what they signed up for." Yes, they did. But do not trivialize their sacrifice by dismissing the very real loss being suffered by the families left behind. We walked into this life with our eyes wide open, we knew what joining meant, what was entailed in the oath of service. Saying "well, that's what they are there for" demeans us, demeans every single service member who has ever paid the ultimate price for your right to sit on your ass and watch Who Wants to Degrade Themselves on Fox while stuffing Cheese Doodles in your mouth.

Here's my point folks: I am anti-war, and very much pro-America. I'm very much against the Bush administration, yet I support my government. It's not as much of a dichotomy as it appears; the two are not mutually exclusive.

When the tanks start rolling and the bombs start dropping ~ and make no mistake about it, they will ~ I'll have a candle burning in the hopes of the safe return of each and every soldier out there, I'll prepare my children for the event that their father might deploy, I'll put on my Brave Air Force Wife face and smile and say, "Nope, haven't heard from him yet" and "Yeah, we're doing just fine". I'll support my husband, my country, my military family, but I'll never be in support of this war.

"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 public." ~ Theodore Roosevelt