...as the word implies, a just war is in the service of justice. Amid all the pain, loss and suffering of the Second World War, justice was served. The reign of a rabid racist megalomaniac was put to an end.

If there is such as thing as a just war, the Iraq war certainly is not. The citizens of the United States were misled by inaccurate information. Citizens’ fears stemming from the attacks on September 11 have been the grounds for manipulation from the Bush administration and then amplified through the nation’s media.

A quote from Reich-Marshall Hermann Goering from the Nuremberg Trials continues to resonate in my thoughts. It may be trite to share it, but it can be illuminating to those who have not read it:

"Naturally, the common people don't want war, but after all it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag people along.

Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and for exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country."

Perhaps the American people are beginning to realize that the war on the streets of Baghdad is not going to be won by an increase in troops, as our stubborn President insists, but by finally sitting down with other world leaders to discuss how we can work together to end terrorism.