AnimalStructure here dripping usual verbal diarrhea? Check.

Think I'll read the interview now.

I'm also glad I missed out on the right-wing foaming-at-the-mouth-fest, which gave me a chance to contemplate Redford's points. Clearly the film is aimed at those whose futures will be greatly impacted - young people who, should the war continue on indefinitely, will likely have to serve. They are right to question the issues and judge for themselves if war is indeed the answer. Many would have people believe that it is the ONLY answer. They turn a blind eye towards diplomacy, strategic alliances, negotiations and responsible foreign policy. In gamesman terms, they regard the world more as a football field than a chess board.

In your previous political Talkback, there were 3 Talkbackers who spoke quietly and eloquently about their previous and upcoming military service. Having faced, or about to face deployment in the Mideast, none of them remotely resembled the rabid arm-chair warmongers in this TB. Where they earn and are due respect, the others deserve derision. To play bloodlusting cheerleader for others to fight, or to kill, or to suffer or die, on their behalf is the most cowardly act imaginable.

Which leads me to Anchorite.

There are a few outspoken right-wingers here. I may disagree with their opinions, and they mine, and that's fine. Having discourse is absolutely critical even when two or more sides get into heated debate.

But Anchorite is in a league all by himself. There are war-mongers, and then there are lunatic warmongers. His crazed call for America to escalate its brutality adheres to the vilest of agendas on the planet. He demonizes an entire race of people to draw America into war with the world. When an opportunity to incite hatred comes along - and a Robert Redford talkback qualifies - he types more than in the previous 90 talkbacks combined.

Anchorite is consistent in that he never carries out the conviction of his own words. He wants America to change, to become inhumane and brutal, yet he himself is a coward behind a keyboard. He wants the young high school and college students to take up arms against Muslims, to leave their families and become brutal and inhumane for him. He wants them to throw their educations and futures away, for him. He wants them to kill or be killed, to sacrifice their bodies and families, for him.

He is a coward.

I have the answer to his question to America:

"Who is willing to commit to such brutal and inhumane acts?"

The answer is: Not him.

You're going to have to be more specific...haha!

It's not about going to war for the sake of it. A civilized world goes to war as a last resort, after all other measures have been exhausted. Personally I don't regard Iraq as a war. Do you? It was an invasion and occupation of a country that did not attack us, had nothing to do with those who did. So far, it's resulted in hundreds of thousands innocent dead, and tens of thousands of American casualties. What exactly is the war rationale for that?

I pointed out the soldiers who participated in Capone's last Talkback. One completed his service in Iraq, and the other two are active duty. Although they support the military and honor their service, not one of them supported the reasoning for the occupation of Iraq nor called for an escalation in the violence. Therein lies the distinction you missed.

I can understand why you brought up Lincoln, because linking the Civil War to Iraq is a convenient smokescreen. And in the fog of war, a smokescreen is ever the necessity. In a Talkback, it's fairly harmless. But in the real world, people die from such deception. This isn't Rambo. This is the real world.

Firstly, define war. Invading and occupying another country that did not fight back may qualify as war in whatever institution of "higher learning" you attended, but not for the rest of us.

Secondly, the post you are responding to was not directed at war supporters in general. It was specifically directed at someone who was instigating an escalation of the conflict, to, and I quote, "be brutal and inhumane". To expand the conflict without regard for another country's sovereignty or borders. That's what I was talking about.

Thanks for your time in responding, misguided though you were.

Sincerely,

BSB