Bush says to get ready for war

tigger

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What are you thinking right now about everything that has happened? I feel really sad for all of the people who lost their lives. I feel scared, too, because we are most likely going to go to war. My husband & I were talking about it at our break at work tonight & he was thinking what would happen if they started the Draft back up? That is what made me scared......
I support Bush in his decision...... this crap needs to stop! The USA & other countries do not need to live their lives in fear because of terrorism. And, I'm sorry, but I if they have to blast Afghanistan off the fact of this world, than do it. Reason I say this is just because they go after Bin Laden, doesn't necessarily mean they are going to stop terrorism. Yes, I know lots of innocent people will die, but what other solution is there? I just hope that if there is a war, no nuclear & bio-chemical warfare is used!

Sorry, just had to vent.........
 

dawnt91

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First, let me say that I 100% support Bush in his goal to protect our country and retaliate against the monsters that killed all these innocent lives. I understand that we will have to go to war to accomplish this goal. But, the thought of war is very scary to me, especially because I'm always worried about how to protect my children. I know that, if we go to war, the US will be as careful as possible to limit civilian casualities, but our enemies have no problems slaughtering innocent lives. My fear is for the children of our country. How will we keep them safe if our enemies start bombing the United States? Makes me wish that I didn't live in such a large metroplex, which might look inviting to Bin Laden. I've been having nightmares all week about keeping my kids safe, and it just scares me to death. All I can do is pray.
 

dtolle

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I am also having nighttmares about keeping my children safe. I am so terrified about chemical warfare. I've read that the reactions can spread 100 miles or more. I live about an hour outside of downtown Boston, and I am just so nervous that if they target Boston, we could still see the ramifications here.
My husband keeps telling me not to worry about things that I have no control over. Easier said than done!! And last night he said he wishes we had gas masks. Now that made me feel good!
We have to just hope and pray it never gets to that. I have confidence that we will prevail, and hopefully no more attacks on US soil will happen.
 

miss whitney

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I also fear that if we go to all out war, that more American lives and our allies will be lost. Maybe the retaliation doesn't have to be full war. If we could locate Bin Laden and his cronies, we could take them out and still have networks working on other groups. If this could settle some of the attacks on innocent people, I think that would be enough. Just take one incident at a time. But, I think we should strengthen our defenses in this country against further attacks.
 

deb25

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Taking out Bin Laden will not end terrorism. I, too, fear war. Any sane person would. If a conflict is years long, like WWII, my son will be of age to be drafted.

But I cannot live in a world or a country where I am afraid all the time. Do you think mothers wanted to lose their sons in WWII?

I support President Bush and our government 100%. We have to do whatever it takes to make our nation safe again.

There are too many in this country who have taken what we have here for granted for too long. Too many do not understand the sacrifices made by previous generations to give us the great nation we have today.
 

boo

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Tigger, I have been thinking about the Gulf war. When that started, we were all worried that it would turn into WW3, but it didn't (I had two brothers who wouldn't have been able to fight due to medical conditions, although my younger brother said he would have LIED about his health to get in. My husband would have been eligible for the draft though) . I know that it was still a war and American soldiers lost their lives, but it didn't escalate into a World War and there was no draft.

Aside from the Taliban itself I can't think of any other country who has not declared support for America. I say Taliban, and not Afghanistan, because there is a large army of rebels (against Taliban rule) who will fight FOR America too, in their own country. The whole world is behind your President, if it does escalate into a World War, it will be the shortest one in history.

Adele
 

debby

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This is all just so scary!! Thought of a WW3 just terrifies me, but yet, I realize we have to do what has to be done, and I support Bush's decisions.
 

threeleggedkat

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Yes, we are all afraid of World War III. Our enemies know this and they know that this terrorist action has multiplied our fears 100 fold. We cannot, however; let this fear paralize us. We cannot let this fear mushroom into internal hatred either. We must all stand behind our President's decision (whatever that may be) and seek out and destroy this wretched enemy. I feel that Bush will be advised by the best this country has to offer and his choice will be the best solution and he deserves the backing of a United States as well as the United Nations.
 

hissy

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Just heard that a convoy has left from Pakistan to go to Afghanistan to demand the surrender of the evil one within three days. Everyone I know is really scared about what might be coming down the way, so I pray this effort works and they get through and they get the madman. It won't stop terrorism, but it is a good place to start.

Whatever happens, I stand behind Bush's decision. He seems to be treading carefully and does not impress me that he is a warmonger. There have been others before him that sitting in his chair, might have already entered us into a war before all the facts come in.
 

swalker

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Deb25 is right. Finding and killing Bin Laden would not stop the terrorism.

I am all for the war, we have sat back and done nothing for too long. The first bombing of the World Trade Center, and the bombing of our Embassies. Enough is enough. They should be scared in Afghanstan but I trust Bush knows what he is doing and if he can avoid killing innocent people I am sure he will.

Too bad THEY didn't try to avoid killing innocent people when they flew OUR planes into OUR buildings.
 
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ghostuser

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Yes like all the rest of you I am also scared. I have a son-in-law that is a Capt in the Army and is an anesthetist with the mash unit. If this comes to war he will definitely have to go to where the fighting is. He is now stationed in Germany and was supposed to be back home in Louisiana for Xmas. I doubt that he will be able to come home now. He has not been home for awhile, first got sent to Kosovo and then to Gambia. Yep, I am very scared and worried.

Meme
 

studio224

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What is most scaring for me is the threat of a religious war. The Talibans have declared that this is a Holy War, a Jihad, meaning Islam against Occident. It means that they are not afraid to die, they are fighting in the name of religion. This is much more scary for me.

The gulf War was an economic war, there was no religiuos support to Irak from other arabic countries.

This time, islamic countries aren't too sure about backing up USA. If we should come to a war between Islam and Occident, that would certainly be a World War III.

I am scared that many, many innocent lifes are going to be lost in this conflict that's coming. I can't help to think about the opressed people of afghanistan (opressed by the talibans) that are going to be the victims once again. Did you know that afghan women don't have the right to work? It means that widows cannot support their kids! And that's Taliban's doing!

If that war could be a surgical one, meaning that only the criminals could be punished, that would be great. Unfortunately, this does seem impossible. If the 3 thousand Bin Laden men have already scattered all over Afghanistan, how in the heck are we going to hunt them down?

How can we punish the criminals without killing innocent people? And I still think that what we should do that because we do care about innocents, we do not want to act like terrorists. At least that's what I think, but I am sure there are a lot of people that are asking for revenge, rather then punishment.

And more important, let's not forget that somehow USA government, and others should try to better protect their populations! And how to do that? I really don't know.


Anne-Claire
 

havel1hv

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I also stand 100% behind Bush... This is prob. been posted else where but... Do you all realize we trained Bin Laden? And that the US government has done some HORRIBLE things to theses countries and that is why they hate us? I believe that those who did this should be punished, but care needs to be taken that the US government does not interfere with other governments - as in several countries we got rid of perfectly good, voted in by the people governments because they didn't make laws in relation to how the economically interacted with the US. That is wrong - especially when we put in governments that oppress their people!!!!!!! Additionally, perhaps we should think about selling less military arms - When we fought in the Gulf War some of the weapons used against us were given or sold by us to them! Also, if we go and bomb Afganistan keep in mind who will pay the price - innocent women and children not Bin Laden...

Just something to think about, to be honest I'm not sure what to do...

Heather V. Havel
 

lotsocats

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Heather, I too worry about all of the children who would be hurt and of the women who can't leave their houses because of the Taliban rules who could not escape potential attacks. I hope our govt can find a way to get the terrorists without hurting innocent citizens.

Regarding the Gulf war...although it did not turn into WWIII (thank goodness) it also accomplished next to nothing. Saddam Hussein is still in power , still abusing his power, and is still hurting the Kurdish (and other)people. So, was it worth the money and lives lost to have gone to war?

Also, in the many hundreds of years Afganistan has been around NO ONE has successfully invaded the country....not even Ghengis Kahn or Russia or the Soviet Union...no one! If the soviet union couldn't do it, what makes us think we could? Wouldn't we be setting ourselves up for another big loss of American soldiers (like Viet Nam)? There's just got to be another way (besides war) to meet our objectives!

Just my opinion! I hope I haven't tread on any toes. If I have, I whole-heartedly apologize!
 

debby

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Originally posted by havel1hv
I also stand 100% behind Bush... This is prob. been posted else where but... Do you all realize we trained Bin Laden? And that the US government has done some HORRIBLE things to theses countries and that is why they hate us?


Heather, what horrible things has the US government done to these countries? I am not saying you are wrong, so please don't take it that way, I am just unsure of what you mean, I never knew the US government did anything horrible to these people. And even if they did, that is no excuse for them to attack and kill innocent people who have nothing at all to say about what decisions our government has or has not made.
 

kittyfoot

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Debby...I'm not intending to be snide or sarcastic here;but please go back and read your last sentence. Now,please everyone realize that that sentence could be just as truly uttered by mothers in all those countries who are watching the skies for the US missles and planes.

It is not neccessarily the US which has hurt these peoples,all countries and corporations in the "west" share the guilt of sins past. But the USA has set itself up as the "Leader of the West" and as such has become the lightning rod for all the resentment of the "Third World". I'm sorry people,but the US does become rather heavy-handed in it's dealings with other nations sometimes. Even we Canadians,your closest neighbor and long time ally feel the back of you government's hand at times. It's like an unexpected slap from a bigger brother or sister and it does cause resentment. There are Canadians who have gone to NYC to work alongside the American rescue workers,but I seriously doubt they will be acknowledged by the US media...or anyone else.
 

deb25

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Kittyfoot:

I have personally heard acknowedgement for people from outside of NY all over the media. Larry King just had Rudy Guiliani on CNN, and I heard the man mention other places by name. In a time like this, I can hardly believe you're standing by waiting for a personal acknowledgement.
 

airprincess

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I just wanted to let you know that we do appreciate our northern buddies and I have heard gratitude on the news as well. The way people have come together over this is amazing, and it is certainly being felt.
 

kittyfoot

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Deb25..Personal acknowledgement?? For what?? If there has been mention of outside help well and good but that is never the point..the help is freely given as to any brother or sister who has suffered a hurt

The point of my whole reply,which you apparently missed,was that the USA by taking on the role of Leader often gets blamed for the actions of others in the "Western World". If XYZ Corp,based in the USA has substandard working conditions or has a chemical spill it is seen as an American corporation EVEN THOUGH it's control is by a multi-national group,possibly with major shareholders in the affected country. Wrong?? Of course it is..but the world is made up of perceptions. You misjudged me just now and were instantly filled with resentment and anger.

As for the US Govt being heavy-handed,I'm sorry,but sometimes they are. This is not unique to the US but again the perceptions come into play. The US is often percieved as uncaring about it's friends and allies. Case in point,how much do you really know about your largest neighbor and trading partner?? This probably seems unimportant to you in the long view but it does hurt.

Now before somebody accuses me of taking the side of the terrorists,I'm not..that's ridiculous. But ALL of we western,first world nations are going to have to take a long,hard look at ourselves. We hurt people in our ignorance and need to stop..else terrorism will remain.

Oh..and Folks..Larry King and CNN are not cultural icons in every country on the face of the earth.

God protect ALL the innocents of the world in the coming days.
 

mr. cat

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War, eh? Well, as the saying goes: "Been there. Done that." From a personal standpoint, I'm glad it's somebody else's turn this time. Those of us who served in the combat zone during the Viet Nam War returned to a nation which was apathetic at best about those who put their lives on the line in the name of service to country. Let's hope that's never the case again!

What I find bamboozling is the concern over casualties should we send in the infantry. Well, duh, there are casualties in war. Civilians get killed because they're in the way. Military people get killed, of course. War does not present a pretty picture.

This baby-boomer notion that wars can be fought from 30,000 feet of altitude is totally absurd. No war is "won" without infantry occupying territory. And no sufficiency of infantry is possible without the draft. So, how angry are we in the U.S.A.? Are we angry enough to say, "Do what it takes"? Because "what it takes" is foot soldiers, on the ground; and lots of them, as in "draft."

Mind, this "war" against terrorism is a tricky business: Maybe there is, in fact, no possible way to mount a military offensive against terrorists. After all, they're not going to conveniently assemble somewhere so we can attack them via traditional means. All this Delta Force talk fails to take into account the fact that the bad guys are really good fighters as well; and we'd be going into their back yard. You win there with overwhelming numbers, not with fancy machines or commando raids.

Surgical strikes, high-altitude bombing sorties and guided-missle attacks make for great media events; but nobody's going to drop their weapons and surrender under those conditions. It'll take a soldier pointing a rifle at somebody to bring about any surrendering in Afghanistan!

May God help us all, should there be an actual war. I'll stand behind our troops, believe me! And if we win, it won't be on account of any politicians or corporate executives: It'll be because a bunch of young people walked into combat and faced the enemy.



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