Reply #14: The image of the left [View All]

[randr]

following Vietnam was painted as anti military. Neither the antiwar crowd nor the democrates has ever challenged this perception. In fact the democrates never declared which side they were on. Until Iraq.
Now that the lines between the hawks and doves are becomeing clearer, and they parties have separated on this issue, it is time for the democratic party to define clearly what their relationship is to the defense of our country. An open and frank discussion of war and it's consequencies is needed
I would hope that one or more of the current presidential candidates would initiate this.
Personally I would hope we could collectively declare that:
The taking of human lives is immoral!
War is an act of barbarism and to be avoided by all means.
A clear and present danger must exist before considering a declaration of war.
The decision to use troops to defend our country carries the heaviest weight of responsibilty of all of our human persuits.
These decisions must require a clear set of circumstances and the intelligence to distinquish fact from fiction.
These decisions are to made by the Legislative body of our nation as dictated by our Constitution. The current situation, where the congress has given the executive office the authority, is unconstitutional.
To ever send troops into combat without this forethought should be considered treasonous.
The people who serve in our armed forces should know that all diplomatic efforts have exhausted themselves before they are required to intervene.
The soldiers performing these duties should be held in the highest regard. The care of them in the combat zone as well as in their return to country and family should refect this respect.
The military personel must be shown that the efforts to end unnecessary conflicts are in their interests. They are asked to perform a sacred duty and they must be assured that the people making this decision are acting in the country's interest and not in the interest of any corporate power or ideology.