Shots Across The Bow

The War is on...

which means the time for debate is ended. Both sides have voiced their beliefs, some with eloquence, others with vitriol. There are sincere folks on each side of the issue, arguing for or against military action with facts and logic and passion; while I may disagree with their opinion, I respect that they arrived at it with serious deliberation, operating from a different set of core beliefs which leads them to a different conclusion. There are also those on either side who argue from hatred, or bigotry, or ignorance, who spew their poison on any who disagree with them. I have no respect for them.

I count among my friends some who disagree with military intervention, some because they are pacifists, others because they don't trust President Bush, and others because they believe that there are other options. I disagree with all of them, and while I believe they are wrong, I respect their right to be wrong.

And so, I'm not going to write any more on the justifications for military intervention. I'm not going to critique anti-war posts. Everything that needs to be said has been said. (I may toast an exceptionally egregious statement from the foreign policy experts from Hollywood, but I will try to behave myself.) The time for argument passed at about 9:30 EST tonight.

I don't expect those who disagree with the use of force to stop voicing their opinion, nor would I want them to, but to debate over whether we should go or not is now moot.