I must say that there are stong feelings on the subject matter. Also, the U.S. can only do so much. I think terrorism comes before some African country somewhere that is far down on the scale of terrorism. I'm sure that none of you would care to have biological or chemical weapons launched at you. I have chosen to have a "wait and see" attitude about the U.S. claims of these weapons in Iraq..which is...."wait" and you will "see" that they do have them. Give them the time, it's only been 3 weeks. As for the "cost" of the war.....it could have been much higher, we didn't expect to roll across Iraq in such a short time, the plan was brilliant. Why do people think that we should only keep to ourselves all of the time? If we did that, we would probably find invaders at our boarders and shores in no time. We are a far superior country than any in the world why do you think that we are the first country that the others turn to when they are in trouble? Why do you suppose that we haven't been attacked on the U.S. mainland since the war against the British in 1812? (I know my history here, Hawaii was a territory when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor) Why do you suppose that we have more freedom than any other country on earth. If that is "exacting" then so be it. It's the truth. The thing is, most countries have homeless people and not all homeless people are fine upstanding citizens, just because we have homeless, hungry people (which is NOT the norm) should we let our guard down? After all there is Welfare, I see enough of it around here. Is it being suggested that when all of the United States' problems are in order here THEN we can go to war? That would be a shame, that would partly be letting our guard down. We can concentrate on more than one issue at a time, we are known for multi-tasking. And YES, we do what is best for ourselves (the U.S) first, why should we look out for other countries first? Yes, we did arm the Iraqi's against Iran, it was in our best interests at the time, so what. And EXACTLY, some of those other countries can't afford to take care of their own people, and who do they turn to???? The United States. We can't save the whole world, but when it comes to the case of OUR national interest, for whatever reason, my first commitment is with our country first and foremost and every other country can just stand in line. Government isn't infallible, it is humans that run this country. You can''t please alll of the people all of the time. And one more free country is great. Now, we'll see if they can stand on their own two feet in the future. We abandoned them in 1991 after making a promise too and if and when there is benefit in the end, then so be it. If the Middle East is left to it's own devise then it wouldn't be long till something as terrible as 9-11 happens again........maybe even worse if anyone can imagine that??? Don't you just love this country.....freedom of speech, freedom to worship as you please and where you please and how often you please or not to worship at all, women have the freedom to vote and go around town with their faces uncovered if they want to or not, freedom to not get stoned to death or tortured...the list goes on and on................this gives us the right to have our own opinions too and to disagree if we want....Isn't it great! Jana On Thu, 10 Apr 2003 17:31:48 -0700 Barbara Stenberg <bobbijo@innercite.com> writes Sorry you think so little of our government. May I suggest you go to a country that does all those things better. You are free to leave anytime you wish. OUr government guarantees that freedom. KYRAFAITH@aol.com wrote: > > Don't feel sorry for me and I have not had a bad day. I simply voiced my > reaction to the use of strong phrases like the one used that we are > "superior". It may have only been one sentence, but the choice of words were > very strong and very exacting! It is an extremely strong statement that I > feel is inappropriate at any time. > I think it is wonderful that family and not wealth are your priority. I > imagine you have a wonderful family. I simply suggest that strong > statements, such as the one that I replied to are unnecessary. > Also, on the subject of our country always being the first to jump in and > provide for other countried in need, don't be so certain of that. Our > government provided Iraq and other parts of that region with military > training, funding, etc before we turned around and blamed them for all the > trouble with terrorists (terrorists that our military helped to train???!!!). > Africans are dying by the millions because they haven't the money for proper > medical treatment, food, clean water, etc while our government stands by > demanding that they repay a debt that our government is owed by their > government. If we are so willing to help and so generous, why didn't we > cancel out their debt long ago and send them what they need to help the > millions who are sick and dying. Our government may give the impression > that they are first to lend a helping hand to countries in need, may I > suggest that they tell us what they believe we want to hear. Also, may I > suggest, our government makes decisions based on what is best for itself and > not based on what other countries need. If there was no benefit to giving > aid to foreign countries, it would not be happening. Our government is not > selfless in it's actions. There are many countries suffering around the > world that we, as a country could afford to support and if it was going to > benefit us, we would be doing it. > The government paints the picture of itself that they want us to see. > Pray for all those countries that cannot afford to make these types of deals > with other countries for they cannot even afford to save their own people. > Oh, I forgot, that would include the good old USA. We have enough money, $75 > billion to fight a war in another country, just because we are good > samaritans and still people in our own country die everyday because they are > homeless, poverty stricken, cannot afford healthcare, cannot afford food, > etc, etc. So, the next time you think our country is so superior, take a > walk through a big city and see how many homeless people you can count. How > does the government afford $75 billion for anything and allow it's people to > starve to death or die for lack of health insurance? > Pray for those that are dying right now on our city streets because our > government cannot afford to house, feed or medicate them. So, the war > continues and it may even cost more than the initial estimate. > Where is our government now? If they are the first to give handouts, why are > so many of our own citizens dying with their hands out?? > Pray for change. Pray for peace. Pray for enlightenment. Pray for helping > hands to join together today and everyday as we did after 9/11 and begin to > give and sacrifice to help our fellow citizens dying every day. Together, we > can make a difference. > Step up and make a difference for someone in need each and everyday! > Peace and with respect, > Kyra Prestininzi