It is a very logical and valid viewpoint. I understand your feelings and admire your standfastness Jim. Anyone that feels this way is justified based on the political events to date. There is nothing wrong in my opinion with Canada NOT participating in this war. That is their right and it is only right that Canada make the decision in her best interest.

At the same time, it is the U.S.'s right to determine that the threat is severe and critical enough to engage in this war (by the U.S. I mean the U.S. government and her leaders). Right or wrong, both nations have the right to do what is in the best interests of their own security and beliefs. I may not agree with George Bush on this war or I may, but regardless as our leader he must make these decisions because he assumed that responsibility when he took the oath of office. He can start a war but he cannot sustain a war without congressional approval. He received that from congress, so legally he is doing what congress wants him to do. If congress disagrees with him then starts the process of impeachment.

At the same time, it is everyone's right to protest and voice their agreement or disagreement. That is one of the rights that our soldiers fight for and everyone has that right. No one should be limited in what they say unless it is personally harmful to someone else or threatens national security or aids and abets the enemy during a time of war.

When this war is over we may not really know if it was justified or not. Hopefully we will know one way or the other. Either the U.S. is justified and Iraq has WMD or plans to harm the U.S. or not. I hope we know one way or the other. Many people take it for granted that our government has enough proof that Iraq is a national security threat to the U.S. to perform this military action and many do not feel that way. If we finally find out in the longrun then either the U.S. will be more secure or the U.S. will have egg on its face and will face the consequences of an angry (and justified at that point) international community.


>Now that's an article that has a useful purpose and also reflects my thinking exactly. If only I could do that with words!
>
>Thanks Rod.
>
>
>>>This article in Sunday's issue of Halifax Herald is the reaction to the speech of the US Ambassador in Canada.
>>>
>>>http://www.halifaxherald.com/stories/2003/03/30/fObserver194.raw.html
>>
>>Here's an opinion that appeared in one of our local papers today. I don't agree with everything he says, but he presents the crux of the disagreement quite well, I think.
>>
>>http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/columnists/story.asp?id=3794EFF6-44DA-48D8-8FFD-5D98F10667AF