I am not merely a Canadian; I am a member of the global community. I do not condone or support the actions of Saddam or Bush. I am not anti-Islam or anti-American. There is a need for a change in the leadership of Iraq and of the United States. I support the right of the peoples of Iraq and of the United States to exercise self-determination in achieving liberation without intrusion from aggressor nations.

I do not condone or support flag-burning, anthem-booing, desecration of property and insults by people in positions of leadership towards international figures. All of these methods are counter-productive and do not represent the responsible views held by Canadians in general. Furthermore, such actions are not unique to Canada. Similar actions take place by people of every race, creed and nation, including ... the United States of America. I do not feel that it is proper to promote, sensationalize or identify the greater population with the stereotypical image of 'American-bashing' based upon the actions of a few misguided individuals.

Regarding Canada's position on the current conflict, though Canada has officially chosen not to participate in the U.S.-led war against Iraq, our military is serving in the area on the basis of past exchange agreements and for the stated purpose of upholding our commitment to the war on terrorism. Though Canadians have been informed that our troops are not to engage militarily unless under attack, this policy opens the way to many unforeseen events that can result in Canada being dragged into this war.

Based on Canada's decision not to participate in a U.S.-led war against Iraq, I fail to understand the logic of Canada's position here. Taking into consideration current developments, our troops should immediately be withdrawn from any areas of operations that can put Canada at risk of being dragged into this war. A unilaterally decided U.S.-led war on Iraq was not a condition in the factors leading to our exchange agreements and anti-terrorism commitments.

There are a number of possibilities that can result in Canada altering its position on the U.S.-led war with Iraq. One, being the upcoming election. I am extremely concerned at the lack of credible official positions on this matter by our prime-ministerial candidates and strongly advise Canadians not to vote for a candidate who does not take a firm and committed position. Canada may also feel compelled to alter its position on the basis of terrorist attacks occurring here or elsewhere. It is imperative that Canadians do not act impulsively due the many challenges we are yet to be confronted by.

Regarding issues of support, there are many ways to support others while taking into consideration our responsibilities to the world at large. Lets focus on doing what is right for the long-term benefit of all of the peoples of the world while providing assistance through ways that are life-affirming rather than life-taking. I take exception to the intolerant, slanderous and divisive comment by George Bush that stated "You're either with us or you're with the enemy." and I am appalled at his attempts to drag the whole world into this conflict. I am not with Mr. Bush, but I support all Americans in their pursuit of life, liberty, happiness, peace, truth and justice. I support all Americans who recognize the need to uphold the guiding principle of 'truth first-served' towards discerning and upholding just cause.

Life grants everyone the freedom to be ... a freedom that is held in contempt by those who impose power over others. War, is by its very un-nature ... anti-life. War fails to address the underlying issues that need to be resolved. War cannot bring about a lasting peace. Liberation cannot be achieved from without. Far from war achieving a state of peace and security, I argue that it will be because of this imperialistic war and because of the present misguided policies of the Bush administration, that coalition members will be subjected to attacks during and afterwards.

War forsakes the highest ideals of humanity that have been painstakingly cultivated since time immemorial ... ideals upheld under the most extremes of circumstances and in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Today, we have the capacity to annihilate all life upon this earth. If we are to continue to exist during this climaxical and unprecedented period of our progression as a species, than it is imperative that human beings choose to be committed to ways that are just and life-affirming rather than ways that are destructive, unjust and anti-life. If we are to continue to exist during this climaxical and unprecedented period of our progression as a species, than every person committed to life must act in defence (not militarism) of life.

Ambition is a dangerous thing. People and nations throughout history have exercised great abuses of power. I am dumbfounded that anyone holding a position of exceedingly great responsibility, could, in the face of extreme global protests, promote a war that may last 20 years, rather than promote imaginative and peaceful ways to ensure lasting peace among all peoples and all nations.

Mr. Bush held both the United Nations and the Kyoto Accord in contempt and instead of rallying the people to new frontiers of responsibly developiing and managing environmentally sound technologies, rallied the people to misuse technology in an unprecedented preemptive strike at a time when America was not under threat of imminent attack. The present misguided policies and irresponsible actions of the Bush administration threatens the peace and security of peoples throughout the world and represents a failure of leadership as attested by the great wave of violence, divisiveness, discord and unrest that has suddenly washed-up upon the face of all the world.

George Bush, a self-professed evangelical, is an example of a politician who promotes war while holding in contempt one of the precepts of his professed faith that commands the adherents of that faith not to kill. Furthermore, Mr. Bush's attempt to acquire support from the Vatican by way of declaring the war just, and his inexcusable use of the word 'crusade' to describe this war, further exacerbates and threatens to escalate the present conflict into a religious war between coalition members and the Islamic world.

Though some have been distracted from the guiding principle of 'truth first-served' due to self-interests, or due to the enormous amount of misinformation and propaganda that abounds, Tony Blair attempted to address just cause by declaring that liberation is the just cause for this war. Liberation, however, is a state to be realized from within, not ... imposed from without. Tony Blair's case for just cause is dispelled and his case for war ... disproved.

Regardless of personal views or convictions, increasing numbers of peoples throughout the world do not believe this war to be one of liberation for the people of Iraq and increasing numbers of Muslims are being called to a cause that is not limited to the war on Iraq. This is the immerging reality of the present world that we permitted a man appointed to the Office of the Presidency of the United States of America to take us to. This is the world that we are all responsible for … this is the world that we will all be held accountable for ... even through our silence.

The wealthiest and most educated people of the world are sending their children overseas to be wounded or killed and to kill the men, women and children of Iraq and neighboring communities. The wealthiest and most educated people of the world are sending their children overseas to suffer the affects of long-term psychological damage. Where is the vision and the imagination in all of this? Where is the responsibility to others in all of this? Where is the commitment to peace in all of this? How can war and the hatred that stems from it bring about lasting peace? How can war be in the best interest of all the people?

The world is on the verge of an extremely perilous precipice and everyone has a responsibility to ensure that the silence, apathy and tacit support tyrants feed upon and depend upon, are not contributing factors in the propagation of global strife and injustice. Ignoring the problems of the world inadvertently results in the perpetuation of those problems. We shall all be confronted by the world of our own making. That world lies before you. That world begins with you.

Notes:

As of April 2nd, 2003, the White House has published a list of 48 coalition members publicly indicating support for the war. There are also another dozen or so nations who prefer to remain unnamed, the majority of that support is of an intangible nature rather than of a participatory nature as in the Gulf war of 1990. Members of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' have been recipients of pressure by the Bush administration interested in creating a propaganda list with the intent of attempting to justify this war by impressing upon others the number of nations publicly indicating support for it.

The Vatican did not support Mr. Bush's efforts in declaring this war just, effectively blocking Mr. Bush's desire to obtain support from coalition members on the grounds of a military campaign being declared a holy war.

Historically, the word 'crusade' relates to the military campaigns of the 11-13th centuries when Christian powers of Europe tried to recapture the Holy Land from Muslims.