WISDOM SAYS

Wisdom says that you do not discuss politics or religion in 
public places. Wisdom says those conversations should only 
take place behind closed doors. Why does wisdom speak this 
way? 

Simple. Wisdom says these things because politics and religion 
can be very divisive topics that people may feel very strongly 
about. If someone feels strongly on a subject and you propose 
to disagree with them, then you run the risk of alienating or 
angering the people that you associate with in the public arena.

With the United States on the verge of war with Iraq, the 69% 
to 71% of Americans who support war in Iraq have tended to 
follow wisdom's advice. On the other hand, the 29% to 31% who 
oppose war have been very vociferous about their disagreement 
with the Bush policies.

Those who are in the minority are looking for any angle to 
address the "potential" war with Iraq in a desperate attempt 
to turn the tide of public opinion against the coming war.

The latest argument from those opposed is the one argument that 
has finally got me riled. 


WHAT IS THE COST OF WAR?

Those opposed to war are now arguing the question, "What is the 
cost of war?"

My immediate response is simple. "How much is too much money to 
expend for the freedom and protection of Americans?"

Did we argue the cost of the Revolutionary War before 
undertaking that endeavor? 

Did we shrink from the expense of World War II after the war 
was brought to our shores?


THE PUBLIC RECORD

One of our congresswomen took the Treasury Secretary to task 
on the issue on March 5th, 2003. She wanted to know what the 
cost of war is. 

Well, congresswoman let me see. A Google.com search for the 
keywords "cost of Iraq war" turns up an interesting document 
in the first spot:

 http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=3822&sequence=0  
 
This is a summary of the cost of the upcoming war submitted to 
the House of Representatives by the nonpartisan Congressional 
Budget Office (CBO). This document was delivered to the 
Committee on the Budget in the U.S. House of Representatives 
in September of 2002.


SUMMARY OF IRAQ WAR COST ESTIMATES

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has given 
these estimates as to the cost of an Iraq war:

· Initial deployment of troops: $9 billion to $13 billion 
· Conducting the war: $6 billion to $9 billion per month 
· Returning forces to US: $5 billion to $7 billion 
· Temporary occupation of Iraq: $1 billion to $4 billion per 
  month 


THE REAL POINT OF MY TIRADE

It is neat that these numbers are available for us to consume, 
but the numbers do not justify the arguments of these opponents 
to a possible war with Iraq.

How much is too much money for the cause of freedom? How much 
is too much to protect the American people from those who wish 
to do us harm? How much is too much to protect the freedom of 
Americans or gain freedom for those in Iraq who desire for 
themselves the same freedoms we enjoy?

How much is too much?


HOW MANY WILL ACTUALLY DIE?

Sean Penn argues that this war will cost hundreds of thousands 
of lives. I guess one should expect an actor to live in a make 
believe world.

According to PBS' Frontline, the first Persian Gulf War killed 
fewer than 25,000 on the Iraqi side. The Americans lost only 
148. 

   http://pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/gulf/appendix/death.html

Far fewer died in the first Persian Gulf Conflict than died in 
either the Korean War (1,333,060) or World War II (55,000,000). 
Even the Iran-Iraq War killed more people than the Persian 
Gulf War did. 850,000 military personnel lost their lives in 
the Iran-Iraq War.

Source for Death Toll Statistics:
   http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/ww2stats.htm
   http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat2.htm#Ko
   http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat2.htm#Iran-Iraq
   http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/war-list.htm

Another nearly 600,000 people died in the American Civil War: 
   http://www.gliah.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=107

Even if the Iraq War mimics the Persian Gulf War in its level 
of casualties, is that price really too high to ensure the 
freedom and safety of Americans and to gain freedom for the 
Iraqi people who now live under the boot of Saddam Hussein?


FOOLS RUSH IN

Sheryl Crow recently said, "I think war is based in greed and 
there are huge karmic retributions that will follow. I think 
war is never the answer to solving any problems. The best way 
to solve problems is to not have enemies."

Perhaps she feels that we could simply ask Saddam to stop being 
our enemy and all will be well. Perhaps Osama bin Laden only 
wants to be our buddy and to be invited to our parties.

To read other idiot remarks made by our Hollywood stars in 
opposition to the coming war, visit: 

   http://hollywoodhalfwits.localweb.com/


VIRTUAL MARCH ON HOLLYWOOD

The Hollywood brain-dead have stirred a grass-roots movement 
among the American people. Following Martin Sheen's "Virtual 
March of Washington", a "Virtual March on Hollywood" began 
to gain some real momentum. Read about it here:

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=31261


JOIN THE MARCH ON HOLLYWOOD

As part of the "Virtual March on Hollywood", folks are 
encouraged to visit the following URL to access the phone 
and fax numbers of the Hollywood elite as well as their 
email addresses:

   http://www.kfi640.com/hitlist.html

According to the "John and Ken Show", "Lori Bardsley, a 
stay-at-home mother of three, accuses Hollywood celebrity 
pundits of using their celebrity to interfere with the 
defense of the country. She feels the celebrities don't 
speak for most Americans." 

 http://www.johnandken.com/audio/

Lori Bardsley feels that entertainers are being dishonest 
with the public. So, she has set up Citizens Against Celebrity 
Pundits, a group designed to keep discussion of an Iraq war in 
perspective. As one of her first steps, she has created an 
online petition to deliver to the Hollywood nitwits to appraise 
them of how average Americans feel about their anti-war stance. 

As of this writing on March 6th, 2003, there were 72,493 names 
on the up Citizens Against Celebrity Pundits petition. (My name 
is also on the petition in case you were still unsure.)

Lori hopes that when the petition is ended, that she will 
have additionally raised enough money to buy a national ad to 
contrast Sean Penn's full page in The Washington Post. You may 
read Sean Penn's blathering at:

   http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/penn.htm

When all is said and done, if you want to throw your name onto 
the Citizens Against Celebrity Pundits petition, you may do so 
by visiting:

   http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/hollywoodceleb


IN CONCLUSION

Teachers in Maine who attack children whose parents are serving 
in the military should be summarily fired.

Hollywood hotshots and human shields that go to Iraq to give 
aid and comfort to our enemy should be prosecuted for treason. 

In times of war, our troops should be given our full 100% 
support. Let us not repeat the embarrassments of how our 
returning soldiers were treated after having served our 
country in Vietnam! 

And finally, may God bless America!