Why Iraq? (2/4)

First, assuming that you were in favor of the invasion of Iraq at the time of the invasion, do you believe today that the invasion of Iraq was a good idea? Why/why not?

I was in favor of the invasion before we went in. The reasons are pretty much as stated in the resolution authorizing force.

• Iraq never abided by its cease-fire agreement following the Gulf war
• Iraq kept hidden stores of chemical weapons, and maintained bioweapons programs
• Iraq interfered with the efforts of the inspectors to identify and destroy these weapons
• Iraq's weapons programs threatened vital US interests and international peace and security
• Iraq kept trying to develop or obtain ABC (Atomic, Biological, Chemical) weapons in violation of the cease-fire agreement
• Iraq is continuing to engage in brutal repression of its civilian population
• Ieaq is refusing to release, repatriate, or account for non-Iraqi citizens wrongfully detained by Iraq, including an American serviceman
• Iraq has used chemical weapons in past conflicts and on its own people, and shows every evidence of being willing to continue
• Iraq continues to be hostile toward, and to attempt to attack, United States, including a 1993 attempt to assassinate former President Bush, and continuing to shoot at planes patrolling the "no fly" zones
• Members of al Qaida are known to be in Iraq
• Iraq continues to aid and harbor other international terrorist organizations, including organizations that threaten the lives and safety of United States citizens
• After September 11, 2001, we can no longer ignore the threat posed by the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by international terrorist organizations. The risk these weapons might be used against us, either by Iraq or by a terrorist group that buys them from Iraq, is unacceptable
• UNSCR 678 (1990) authorizes the use of all necessary means to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 660 (1990) and subsequent relevant resolutions
• Relevant UNSCR resolutions include #687, 688, 949, 661, 662, 664, 665, 666, 667, 669, 670, 674, 677, and 688
• Public Law 102-1, passed by Congress, supports the use of all necessary means to achieve the goals of UNSCR 688
• The Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 elucidated a policy of encouraging regime change
• Bush committed the United States to `work with the United Nations Security Council to meet our common challenge' posed by Iraq and to `work for the necessary resolutions,' while also making clear that `the Security Council resolutions will be enforced, and the just demands of peace and security will be met, or action will be unavoidable'
• The US does not believe it needs to wait until bombs stamped "made in Iraq" are exploded in a major city before acting
• Any entity responsible for, assisting in, or providing "aid and comfort" to those reponsible for the attacks on September 11, 2001 are fair game
• The President has authority under the Constitution to take action in order to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States

In my opinion, any of these is sufficient grounds. Some of these reasons may not have panned out, but enough did to justify war.

Iraq was also a fairly "low hanging fruit". It was possible to knock it down and remove its dictator. I don't think anyone expected Iraq to become a Jeffersonian democracy overnight, but it's hard for any system of government to be much worse than Saddam.

As a Wiccan, I'm occasionally asked how this squares with Wiccan belief, and the Wiccan Rede in particular. The Rede is often misquoted as "harm none". In fact, it's "If it harms none, do what you will". It is blanket permission to do anything that causes no harm, and a warning that you're responsible for those acts that do cause harm.

In any major decision or course of action, there's always a chance, and frequently a certainty, that someone will be hurt. Good and evil have to be weighed in the balance. We don't always have the choice between an absolute good and an absolute evil -- sometimes, it's the choice between the lesser of two evils.

Doreen Valiente, an Elder in the Crart, has stated, "Allowing harm to continue unchecked is not 'harming none', rather, it harms everyone." I agree. We are responsible not only for any harm we cause, but also for harm we allow when it is in our power to stop it.

Another element of Wicca is the "Law of Three". This is the notion that what you put out will return to you three-fold. Many cite this as an excuse not to get involved. (The concept of "Karma" also pops up at about the same time.) The claim is that the Gods, or Karma, or Nature will take care of balancing things out and punishing any evil. Maybe, maybe not.

I am a High Priest in my tradition. The oaths and ceremonies involved in the elevation to second degree are secret, but some details are public. One of the oaths I took was to return ill and good threefold.

We, as children of the Lord and Lady, are not expected to leave everything in Their hands. We are on the path from childhood toward adulthood -- toward becoming more than we have been. We are expected to take on certain responsibilities ourselves. With the power we gain as we grow, we also gain responsibility. To whom much is given, of him much is demanded.

Likewise, the United States has been blessed with great material wealth and power, and thus has great responsibility toward other nations. Also, Homo sapiens has been given much power -- intelligence, a moral sense, the ability to remake the world. We are commanded to use this power responsibly.

As Americans, and as human beings, we are called to use our power for good, to the best of our ability. As a Wiccan, I am called to do the same.