h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello,

I didn't attend the Glasgow march (wonder why? ) but saw some of the marchers heading back. It's a cliche, but they *did* all appear to be 20-something students.

I don't agree with the principles of the march, for reasons I will detail below, but I was glad, in a way, that Blair was being sent a message. Not only has he not been bothered making a case for war to the British people but has ignored Parliament. It's my personal belief that the strength of numbers for the anti-war march was not so much about the politics as 1) a stand against Blair's autocracy and 2) A reaction against the poisonous "special relationship" with the US Government - a relationship in which we give a great deal and recieve nothing - that is the reason British troops are being provided for the war.

So why do I support a war? Well, first, I have read up on the politics of the region and the internal state of Iraq. For starters, Iraq is not at peace and has not been since 1991. As well as the UN-imposed sanctions which have killed hundreds of thousands, there is the US "bombing" war and, of course Saddam's own war against his own subjects which has claimed an unknown number of lives. I don't see US action so much as sudden aggression as bringing an end to a 12-year slow-war, a vicious and murderous tyranny and the UN's sanctions.

Also, I don't subscribe to the idea that "war is always wrong". It's certainly not a good thing, but often in international relations as in day to day life, standing back whilst watching tyranny take it's toll because it's "not our problem" or we "don't want to drop to their level" simply doesn't work.

Regarding the West and the Muslim world entering conflict as a result of the war, what about Afghanistan? Or, for that matter, New York? If such a conflict exists it has already started.

Anyway, that's my two pennies worth (yet again). As long as you enjoyed yourself in some way, I suppose that matters.

I don't know if I did enjoy myself that much. The marchers in London were certainly not 20-something students.

The thing which angers me the most is that Blair and Bush look as if they are going to take us into an illegal war, and ignore the UN.

The thing which disgusts me is that so many defenseless and innocent people will be killed. I remember the US pilots' glee with the 'Turkey Shoot' on the road back from Kuwait.

The thing which frightens me is that it may not be quick, and it will inevitably provoke more and more deadly terrorism.

I do in fact have very mixed feelings about this issue, and while I am willing to accept that there are arguments for war, I am significantly more hesitant about this war. They do not have a mandate. It is NOT in my name.

Thanks for posting, Zagreb. Your thinking and conclusions always interest me.

B