News: Another Christian's view on the war

Putting Moderator Hat on now....

In compliance with this forum's 3-page rule, this thread will be closed no sooner than 3:00 p.m. EST today by one of the Moderators.

SheEagle9/11
Moderator

 

BTW, last time I looked Britain was in the EU, so quite how we're supposed to be lining up against them I don't know

Yours in Christ

Matt

 

For now...

 

I think it's rare that you have anything good to say about us over here.

BTW, if I criticize Clinton's policies, then I am a Clinton critic. If I make up nursery rhymes about him and his country, and offer nothing but ridicule, I am bashing him.

One is intelligent conversation, one is not.

 

Meaning...?

Yours in Christ

Matt

 

Sorry, cross-posted with Bro Curtis. Last remark directed to sheeagle

Yours in Christ

Matt

 

that is probably because you don't know me Curtis - I like your country and have spent considerable time there and studying its political system - I think thought that it is fair to hold the USA to a high standard and it is often frustrating when it falls short of that standard.

Also I think that there are quite big cultural differences between the US and Europe - here is it common for people to critise government policy and the nature of politics is very different.

There is also a totally different concept of nationalism here - to suggest that someone was critising the UK as a when they critised the government over here would be laughed at - I have certainly never seen it argued - even in the right wing tabloid press.

There is very rarely a conflation between nation and government in my country - but from reading the posts here I get the impression that the opposite is the case in your country - is that correct?

and if I critise Bush then I am Bush critic.

bashing him but not America?

hmm - that is true - as I have said it was intended to be amusing rather than a thesis on the nature of the Bush administration - is there no room for humour?

 

I am a Canadian of British birth. I am also a democratic socialist, and a Christian. I believe very strongly about social responsibility as being an essential part of both the gospel and a free society.

Further, I am being bashed everyday by some leading Americans, including the US Ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci. Why? Because Canada, as a sovereign nation, decided to back the UN. Do we oppose this war? Certainly we do, but had the UN Security Council agreed that force was the action to take, Canada would have had MORE troops in Iraq. Please understand the difference here.

When America was attacked by terrorists, Canadians were first in line to help. Some people even took city vehicles, stopped off what they were doing and headed for NY....they didn't even take time to tell the city where they were going.

One radio station in Hamilton instantly began raising funds for the victims in NY. Canada was there when America was under siege..we did not fail our good neighbours.

Now more facts about Iraq. We are not officially in this war. Are we involved? You bet your boots we are. There are 34 Canadians who fly in American fighter planes..I can't tell you what they do because I know I will use the wrong terms, but it has to do with navigation. Canada has troops along the Iraq-Kuwait border under the UN,,they too are in harm's way. We have two navy ships, fully armed, in the Gulf, providing security to American ships entering the Gulf and escorting them to their destiny. Should terrorist actions happen, they will be right there. Canada added 3000 ground troops to Afghanistan.....that war is not over yet! Oh yes, we were bombed by Americans and four men died, but it took three days for Mr. Bush to even mention the event. Does the good neighbour posture go both ways? Sometimes we wonder, and rightly so.

I served my country, side by each with American forces in Korea. I have no regrets and this should show that I am not against war per se, but strongly support the UN as our one hope in a political sense.

Now, Britain and America. When we were catching bombs in East London, your Mr. Roosevelt did not want to get involved. 220,000 building were devastated over four years, but we went through the Blitz, daily bombing for almost a full year, and AMerica did nothing. So, Canada making a sovereign choice not to engage in military actions at this time, is a choice which is their right to make,,,,,as did America whilst we were weeping and burying our dead in London.

Am I bashing America? Not at all. I would never do that. These are historical facts. You are just too sensitive about a people who don't carry the Stars and Stripes, and are not enthused by your Mr. Bush. Shucks, we are not enthused by our Mr. Chretien, but we are not called unpatriotic when we criticize him.

You will find some anti-American citizens in Canada, but you will find far more who stand beside Her. In fact, when Canada did not take part in VietNam, there were 5000 Canadian men who got across your border and became Americans so they could join the US military and go to VietNam.

I think we have very strong bonds with the USA, but we are not puppets, and we do make our own decisions I apologize for this long diatribe, but I am neing bashed everyday by Americans and I have said little. I have even been called a coward, but said nothing.

Let's all set our lives in the proper path, not for and against, but simply differing on principle. I weep for the military and I weep for the civilian tragedies in Iraq..perhaps because I have been there on the wrong end of bombs.

God bless America, and God bless us all.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Jim1999, once again, I take my hat off to you.

Yours in Christ

Matt

 

Per She-Eagle's post this thread is due to close, so lock-down time.
Gina

[ March 27, 2003, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: Gina ]