Michael Davis

Editor/Columnist

Did you support the war in Iraq? Were you against the war in Iraq? Since these questions are absolute opposites, you must answer yes to at lest one of them. If you are undecided, you are against it (for the simple fact that you should never go to war unless you are absolutely convinced that what you are doing is right). Be careful how you answer the preceding questions…for the same logic should apply to any future conflict we may find ourselves in. The same logic should apply to wars of bygone eras as well…

Let us consider the American Civil War (1861-1865). Although I hold to a position that differs from most people, I will apply both sides of the argument to the two wars in question; namely the Civil War and the War in Iraq.

If you argue “for” the war in Iraq, I suppose you should also side with the Lincoln Administration’s decision to go to war with the Confederacy. This year America has fought to free the Iraqis from a despotic tyrant, a cold-blooded murderer, and a man (if he can be called a man) not fit to lead a people. Saddam Hussein was a ruler hated by the citizens of the country, which he ruled. If you can say in full agreement that America was righteous in freeing Iraq from such slavery, then you can say that what the Union did from 1861-1865 was just. For, did not the Union make war to free the slaves in America? [This was not the only reason, may not have been the first reason, but was unarguably one of the reasons.] Thus, those who supported and continue to support the Bush Administration’s efforts in Iraq, are simply agreeing with the teachings of our American history textbooks: it was our moral obligation to free the oppressed.

If on the other hand, you argue against the War in Iraq; you should [logically] disagree with Northern aggression and the invasion of the South. If America was not righteous in freeing an oppressed people in the year 2003, then America (the Union) was not righteous in going to war with the Confederacy. We know now by a reliable source that Saddam Hussein had already destroyed the weapons of mass destruction. However if Hussein had the weapons (as he so bluffed), then he was a genuine threat to the peace of the free world. Nevertheless he did keep the technical “know-how” to manufacture the weapons of mass destruction. With which he could have regained his former strength and continued his reign of terror. Thus, he was a legitimate threat to the Iraqi citizens, not to mention, the world. In light of this, some will still argue that our making of war in Iraq is an example of American aggression (which it may very well be). If that is the case, then the Union’s aggression toward the South is even more appalling. The South was not a threat to the world. In fact South American and African slavery was even more horrifying than slavery in the Southern States (slave lords, etc.). Although it is true that many of the African slaves were once freemen, most of the slaves prior to “Southern paranoia,” were treated with exceptional kindness. [This paranoia was caused by Northern Abolitionist propaganda, which was aimed at trying to initiate a slave rebellion/insurrection.] They were taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, they were taught to read and write, they were fed, they had living accommodations, and in short they became an integral part of the Southern society and economy. If this is the case, the North owes the South an apology. In fact, I propose that everyone who is against the war in Iraq should demand that our government: not only get out of Iraq, but end plans to invade Liberia or any other country, and demand that they formally apologize to the South for the wrongful actions committed in the years of 1861-1865 (a radical thought, I know).

At this point many will think me a fool…but think about it. You cannot defend our war in Iraq without inadvertently defending the actions of the Union in 1861. Likewise you cannot condemn our war in Iraq without also condemning the actions of the Union in 1861. If you still oppose my conclusion, you are not being logical. This is just something to think about.

And as always Soli Deo Gloria!