FROM THE BUCKET REVIEWS ARCHIVE
Iraq Thoughts: “War Can’t Wait”
Danny Baldwin · Publication date unknown — likely 2003 (site-owner recollection)
Pre-War Thoughts
Two Years Later (Coming Soon)
"War Can't
Wait"
By: Danny Baldwin
NOTE: I had to turn this into my history class. Mind the dull format and
references to material discussed in the class.
“Every state must conquer or be conquered,” said Michael Bauknim. I agree with this quote, and believe that it is a quality summary of our situation with Iraq. If we, the United States of America, do not eliminate Sadaam Hussein and reform the Iraqi county, the security of the American people will be at an all-time risk. Hussein is a madman, and a potential threat to our wonderful country; we must destroy him. I do not like war, and no one of any type of sanity does. But in order to maintain the peace in society, it is in our best interest. We must declare war as soon as possible. This is crucial to our well-being, and is mandatory, because Sadaam Hussein will have nuclear capability within the year, harm Americans at all costs, and become far too powerful in the world. Argumentative conflict will come along with the war, but we must act now, regardless of the opinions of many. “We make war that we may live in piece,” in the words of Aristotle.
“Iraq apparently has never built a nuclear device, but not for lack of trying,” states an article. But, according to the Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Iraq, “could fabricate a nuclear weapon within a year.” Hussein already obtains biological and chemical weapons. The nuclear power, which he almost has, is an extreme potential threat to the United States. President (or dictator, as I like to think) Hussein will, as he has in the past, abuse this nuclear power to harm innocent civilians; both Iraqi and American. We must prevent him from doing this, via annihilation, only accomplishable by war. “Inspections don’t work,” says Former Senator Thompson. This is the truth. Iraq is the size of California, and it would be physically impossible for weapon’s inspectors to search every square foot of it, in order to find weapons of mass destruction. With that said, if we don’t go to war, when Sadaam has nuclear power, how are we supposed to find the bombs? The answer: we won’t be able to. What will Hussein do with them? I shudder to think.
Mr. Hussein abhors Americans. Each and every action that he makes is against us. The true reason for this is uncertain, but it is a fact. He will do anything to harm us, and supports acts of terrorism; this is exactly why we must go to war. Many would argue that thousands of innocent Iraqi people, or “human shields,” will be killed during this war. This is why they are opposed to any sort of violent action. But, the reality of the situation is that, for the numerous people that die, as a result of the war; millions will be saved. Nuclear bombs have the ability to kill gigantic amounts of people, in literally seconds. If Sadaam were to hit our country with one of these, it would end countless lives. This would also make anti-war supporters regret their past opinions. And, is exactly why battle is mandatory. I don’t think that one, human; Iraqi, wouldn’t die, to allow their fellow civilians to live in a peaceful, Hussein-free country. We have the most powerful government in the universe, and must assist these helpless citizens live in peace. The coming war will benefit the Iraqi society, as well as our own.
Sadaam is often referred to as a dictator, and even though he isn’t technically one, in my book – he qualifies. He has already gained ultimate power in his country, and once able, could attempt to gain powerful status in the world. If Hussein becomes more involved in international affairs, nothing good will come out of it. We will never let this happen, and this is made possible because of the war. The war with Iraq will, psychologically, promote peace, and help the people of Iraq live their lives more normally. Hussein’s government is like a giant scar, stuck on the foreheads of each of his people. Living under his reign will indeed, torment them for life. If I lived in the presence of a ruler, like Sadaam, who “cuts off prisoners tongues,” and hires people to rape innocent victims, I would simply go insane. Several Iraqi’s have probably already snapped, and been harmed, and we must spare future generations from the same.
Hussein has refused to disarm, and stop the terrible acts of torture he is performing on his people. So, therefore, we have no choice but to go to war. No one likes to fight, and everyone hates the thought of death. But, we must sacrifice some things (and people), to be able to live in peace, and prevent wrongdoing in the future. “To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace,” said George Washington. This means that having a strong and prepared military that is willing too go to war will preserve peace. We need this strong and prepared military, that we have, right now, and they will put their lives on the line to fight for us. Sadaam is a crazy, corrupt individual, who needs to be eliminated from the world, and hopefully, questioned to the fullest. He is going to have nuclear capability within a year, harm Americans if we don’t take action, and eventually become more powerful than he already is. If we don’t go to war, the future of America will be put into jeopardy. We, most definitely, must prevent this from happening.