Hoo-boy

[ebonlock]

That was the text above a window sticker of an American flag I saw on my way home the other night. The sticker itself took up most of the window and I was a bit concerned about how much it might obstruct the driver's view. But I'll admit I was more concerned about the message.

I took yesterday off to ponder a few things, just what it is I believe, how the events that have occurred have effected those beliefs, whether or not I feel any different about the war now that Saddam's regime has all but crumbled. I read a lot of blogs and articles wherein people demanded that folks like myself who were opposed to the war apologize, admit that they were misguided or stupid, say publically that they were wrong.

I read articles on both sides of the discussion, I wanted to understand why I didn't seem to feel any different than I had before the invasion began. Was I too entrenched in my position? Too proud to admit to a mistake? Was anger clouding my judgement? I came to one inescapable conclusion, I didn't feel any different because none of the things that had been bothering me about any of this war had changed.

I could go into these questions and doubts in detail, but to be honest I've already beaten that particular dead horse for the past few months. Nothing I've said has changed any minds, made any real impact, and right now nobody is listening.

The other conclusion I came to was this, I have a right to my opinions, to my beliefs, to my feelings, and to my questions...I don't need to justify them to anyone but myself and my gods.

So, what now? What does this mean? Well what it means is that I'm going to continue to ponder the events of the world, to post interesting URLs, stories, blurbs, pictures. But I'm going to do it privately. I want something I can look back on and contemplate in the days and years to come. Are my fears justified? Only history will be able to tell me that, so I want a place to record it as it happens, and what my reactions are to it.

But the only way I can do that is to create a space where I don't have to fear attack myself. Is that hideously cowardly of me? Quite possible. Will I regret the decision someday? Quite probable. Do I think, short term it's the right thing to do for my emotional and physical well being? No question.

I hope some folks reading this found the information I shared, as well as my responses to it, interesting and perhaps a bit entertaining on occasion. I'll be ridiculously pleased if anyone found it useful in any way.

Guess that's it, thanks for reading this far, it means a lot to me.

Comments

[tersa.livejournal.com]

Wah. I'm going to miss your daily political posts. I enjoyed getting to read stuff from 'the other side', as in, counter to stuff being posted by filidh, mallen and anyone else who happened to post pro-war comments.

Although I didn't necessarily agree with all your opinions, I valued that you *had* them, and didn't think you were wrong to have them. Just, different than me.

Opinions, etc.

[forkmonkey.livejournal.com]

Just so you know, yours is one of the journals I read regularly and with interest, if not with total agreement. I tend not to post a lot of responses mostly because I want to be a little careful in how I voice political rhetoric where folks from work can read it. So I can certainly understand your need for privacy.

You do a good job hilighting your viewpoints and supporting them. And even when I fervently disagree with you, I strongly support your right to speak out. I hope to better understand your point of view, and remain willing to be convinced on opinions and assessments I initially disagree with.

I've watched the rather heated discussions your journal evokes with more than the occasional wince, and I admire the fortitude that has kept you posting. I sense it's been bruising on both sides.

Anyway. I'm starting to ramble.

[cyranocyrano.livejournal.com]

Exactly. My opposition to this wasn't based on concerns we wouldn't win. Admittedly, there was a part of me that hoped this war would have a prolonged and painful price tag--solely to keep Certain People from thinking 'Gee, that was easy. Let's do it some more.'
The French (And Germans, Russians, Chinese, and the long list of other people) weren't saying Oh Please don't go to war because you won't win. And now that we have 'won' they're not going to say Oh My you were right, silly us, I guess we were wrong about your military penis.
I'm glad Hussein isn't in power. I've never been a big fan of his. And there are a lot of other world leaders that I wouldn't shed a lot of tears over if the CIA decided to assassinate them. That doesn't mean that I think it's a good idea to decide that the world would be a happier place if we blew parts of it up, and then start chucking bombs.

[mallen.livejournal.com]

Nothing I've said has changed any minds, made any real impact

With respect, I believe this is the existential dilemma of a weblogger. Especially someone who is expressing fervently held political opinions. I too believe that nothing I've written or linked to or posted has really changed anyone's opinion about this war. One believe it's wrong and immoral, or one doesn't, or maybe one just doesn't have a solid opinion yet. If you're in the first two groups of people, then it seems unlikely that hearing what the other group thinks or believes to be true will change your mind.

That doesn't stop me from posting though.

right now nobody is listening.

I am listening. I actually quite enjoy reading your journal, and sometimes I even agree with your positions (to name a few: drilling in ANWR, abortion rights). I tend to speak up in either case.

the only way I can do that is to create a space where I don't have to fear attack myself. Is that hideously cowardly of me? Quite possible. Will I regret the decision someday? Quite probable. Do I think, short term it's the right thing to do for my emotional and physical well being? No question.

An alternative I hope you consider is making these politically oriented posts in public with no comments permitted on them. It serves the same sort of purpose: you don't have to get (possibly heated) contrarian emails from the likes of me or others, but we can read your opinions, all the same.

[centerfire.livejournal.com]

As one of the people calling on who I consider the more misguided elements of the moonbat left to apologize on a few grounds, I hope you reconsider. I value you, I value your thoughts (even if I don't always agree with them), and I value the sometimes heated arguments we've had -- I've always come away with a deeper appreciation of you as a person, and the thought processes of the "other side", so to speak.

Your opposition to this war has been, I think, more principled than can be said for most. Your principal objection doesn't seem to me to be a bunch of socialist baloney about American imperialism and blood for oil; you've always struck me as being concerned, first and foremost, about the human suffering that necessarily accompanies any military engagement.

And while I do hope the jubilation of the Iraqis on the occasion of their liberation from the Hussein regime might make you think, "Maybe some good has come of this," and the thus-far relatively small number of casualties on all sides might make you think, "Maybe I worried overmuch," I hope you don't stop making the humanitarian case.

Because quite honestly it's a case that ought to be made. It keeps bloodthirsty warmongers like me thinking. :)

[tersa.livejournal.com]

RAAAR! KROG SMASH!

Ahem. :) This bit of levity brought to you by playoff hockey.

[centerfire.livejournal.com]

Thank you, thank you.

I shall now go and shoot a small defenseless animal, cook its flesh over open fire, devour it messily, scratch myself a bit, and then pinch a satisfyingly large loaf.

[tyee.livejournal.com]

I didn't always have much to say, but I very much appreciated the information you brought to my attention, and the debate that ensued. Thank you for keeping that up for so long.