The Iraq Double Standard

[Smiley and West]

	Smiley: “Conflict, war seems to be the answer to every problem we have in the world.”     West: “Our media won't talk about it and therefore downplay the moral sensitivities of fellow citizens.”

[Tessa Byrd]

I remember learning about moral imperatives to war, there are 3, and none apply to our current situation. I can remember being taught of the social contract which indicates self interest as prime motivator. I see the validity of the premise, self-interestedness just as all manipulation is not bad. What accounts for our unyielding allegiance to the concepts inherent in the social contract? We are obviously able to reason that moral imperatives are necessary for the act of war and yet we support such as the Bush Doctrine. Over time it seems human kind should become more a rational actor; we exhibit the ability to do so. Many in America act in opposition to the course of evolution fueled by American Exceptionalism, greed, or a perceived superiority they act to institute a militaristic backward moving society. This war on terror is responsible for the deaths and displacement of millions. Where is the outrage….?
I believe the information is out there I question the ability of a large segment of the American public to embrace even the ideas necessary to promote progress over brute force….

[Avid Follower]

Dr. West: “Our media won't talk about it and therefore downplay the moral sensitivities of fellow citizens.” Yet plenty is being said out of the country. Russia TV, Aljazeera, French TV. Info can be found on their websites as well.

[DEBORAH J. STEELE]

Greetings: Tavis & Dr. West,

I would love to "hear" this interesting conversation, however, I'm having "problems" being able to "listen" to this recorded message...

Question: Could you please "resend" this back to me? ... It may be a techical problem... I keep trying to "click on the button, but, nothing seems to happen.

Thanks for responding to my request, and I do look forward, in hearing back from you!

Sincerely, with Blessings & Beyond,
Your "Watchful & Listening Angel in Atlanta"
Ms. Deborah J. Steele
(New Smiely & West Member - 2010)
10/29/10 @ 8:41 AM

[DEBORAH J. STEELE]

Greetings: Tavis & Dr. West,

"Hor-ray!" ... I was able to click on the: (Smiley & West) "general page", and I was able "listen" to this very interesting conversation ... Yes, I am in total "agreement" with the (both) of your comments, in regards, to Amercia, becoming "very desensitized", in "many additional areas, including with issues such as this "current war", and the "untold details' as to what's really going on, "behind closed doors!" ...

Please remember; (my dear brothers), to keep in mind, that we are truly, living in the: "last days" and according to (God's word), he said that, this would all take place! ... For example: The lack of "insensitivity" - (no regards to having "feeling" or "respect" towards one another)... Some people are motivated by, the "greed and the importance of recognition & the pride of life itself" ....

However, what they "fail to realize" is that, there are "serious consequences" for the actions, in which, they make! ... whether, they choose to "reveal" it to the public or not, they will "reap what they sow" ... It's just a matter of time! ...

In the meantime, I wish for the (both of you), to continue on with the "great commission" that, you've been "appointed & annointed" to do, for such a time as this! ... And for being such "true advocates" for "humanitarian issues" and a "voice" for those who are not able to speak! ...

Sincerely, with blessings & beyond,
Your "Watchful & Listening Angel in Atlanta"
Ms. Deborah J. Steele
10/29/10 @ 9:25 AM

[Valarie Jacobs]

To answer the question in regards to "the bodies" would be like answering in the form of a question, is there really a war? I don't know about other states or cities, but in Cleveland, Ohio a soldier who has lost his/her life in this "war" their names, photo, family history, and etc are released. Again, to respond to the question about the "bodies" of "soldiers" and the "Iraqi" people would again be like saying their is a conspiracy in our government. Which by no means be of doubt to a vast majority of American people. However, we as Christians have been told that "we will hear of wars and rumors of wars." For example, Neil Armstrong and the Apollo, how many times has it been said that that particular movement never occurred? Yet and still it was taught, preached, and instilled in our minds and even up to today it is being taught to our children and probably will forever be. I'm not saying that this particular war isn't happening but it is extremely odd for our country to experience the economical hardship we have endured as the most powerful nation of people on the planet. To address the leaks and the death poll of the Iraqi people could it be that we are engaged unknowingly and unwillingly in "legalized genocide"? Movies are made all the time at how powerful political figures and extremely wealthy people falsify documents to cover the truth of what's really going on behind closed doors. And, it is so unfortunate because we do have a large scale of people who can't see beyond what they are told and they are cold hard patriots of this nation. We could hope, cheer, dance, sing, hold rallies, write letters, call state senates, but the truth is that none of this is going to be exposed in it's entire truthicity is revealed by our coming messiya.

My name is Valarie Jacobs also known as Valavender.

[Shirley Hall]

.."A great war leaves the country
with three armies -
an army of cripples,
an army of mourners,
and an army of thieves"

Author Unknown

[LaDonna Bagwell]

It’s our feeling of superiority that blinds us from the truth. Why seek out the truth if you believe you’re superior to everybody? It implies that we are above all others and therefore our actions are justified without investigation.

[Matthew J Ashby]

Dr. West, you say it best when I've seen you speak. Many people have come to believe the myth of U.S. exceptionalism. Consciously or unconsciously, many US citizens think a baby born in the US is somehow more precious than a baby born in botswana, or malaysia, or brazil. Heck, some believe a baby born in some parts, some towns, some neighborhoods of the US are more precious than babies born in other neighborhoods. Some believe babies born of a particular race or sex or religion or ability or citizenship-status or sexual orientation are more precious than other babies. Beyond this, we have certainly become desensitized to war because we still don't know how to face death. We sanitize (ie. with drones) war and it cloaks what's really happening, the real suffering. the fact of death.

But, I do think many people living in the US care about innocent people being killed, particularly by us. At the same time, war has been normalized such that we don't have the level of outrage we should.

many factors at play here!

[Valarie Jacobs]

I have to agree with you dear sir. There are many factors to their questions. And, believe there are more people today who care about the well being of others more so than there were say 40 or more years ago. However, I still don't place my trust completely in this government because it has been recorded that the USA's political house is just as corrupt as the next country. Does that mean I don't vote? Contrary, I do. When we vote and we base our vote on the moral efforts an individual has performed over the years; they get in office and do a complete turn around. Not all, but it is far too many who do. The hunger of the high political figures, the wealthy, and sometimes even the poor allow their desire to control and they tare countries, homes, destroy theirs and everyone elses' families just to gain and keep control. Our soldiers are caught in the middle of this personal war which has now become a battle to sustain a country where as ours are slowly being picked part. I am proud of my son and his fiance who are military. With that we only know what we are told. Also, I think the statement "no one is better than the next" is an excuse some use to "normalize" imperilment to others.

Matthew J Ashby said:

Dr. West, you say it best when I've seen you speak. Many people have come to believe the myth of U.S. exceptionalism. Consciously or unconsciously, many US citizens think a baby born in the US is somehow more precious than a baby born in botswana, or malaysia, or brazil. Heck, some believe a baby born in some parts, some towns, some neighborhoods of the US are more precious than babies born in other neighborhoods. Some believe babies born of a particular race or sex or religion or ability or citizenship-status or sexual orientation are more precious than other babies. Beyond this, we have certainly become desensitized to war because we still don't know how to face death. We sanitize (ie. with drones) war and it cloaks what's really happening, the real suffering. the fact of death.

But, I do think many people living in the US care about innocent people being killed, particularly by us. At the same time, war has been normalized such that we don't have the level of outrage we should.

many factors at play here!

[Valarie Jacobs]

So true!

LaDonna Bagwell said:

It’s our feeling of superiority that blinds us from the truth. Why seek out the truth if you believe you’re superior to everybody? It implies that we are above all others and therefore our actions are justified without investigation.

[Princess Black]

I can see the viewpoint of both Smiley & West and the members of this page that have replied. I am in agreement with a lot of what is being said. The question to me is - have we become desensitized to war or the Commandments? It seems to me that as long as you are under a certain umbrella then the killing is justified and even rewarded. Whichever country or continent one is a citizen of. Of course, war occurred for longer than all of us has lived. As the saying goes, what goes on in the dark will be bought to the light. Therefore, it won't be long until we all know the full truth. Not just the ones the journalists want to present.

Peace

[Valarie Jacobs]

Absolutely!

Princess Black said:

I can see the viewpoint of both Smiley & West and the members of this page that have replied. I am in agreement with a lot of what is being said. The question to me is - have we become desensitized to war or the Commandments? It seems to me that as long as you are under a certain umbrella then the killing is justified and even rewarded. Whichever country or continent one is a citizen of. Of course, war occurred for longer than all of us has lived. As the saying goes, what goes on in the dark will be bought to the light. Therefore, it won't be long until we all know the full truth. Not just the ones the journalists want to present.

Peace