War...I used to be against it. I still am. I think war is the worst thing every conceived, but at the same point, I realize the necessity, not of war, but of force. Our world is based on a balance of force. I can rarely think of an important issue or situation that isn't kept together by force. Words don't seem to cut it anymore and maybe they never did. I'm really stuck on this issue, but I'm glad I've been reading more and talking and debating more and I know that lots of people don't want to debate or discuss; they'd rather just cry, and I understand that. I want to cry to, but I also believe deeply that each person needs to understand the war and make a decision. At this point, I don't even really care if it is a rational decision, but we all need to take the time to understand and get informed. I've decided that that's how I'm going to spend a lot more of my time now, getting informed as best possible. School has actually been helpful in that respect lately. And I'm going to apologize in advance to people because I'm in a mood to debate, mostly because I still don't understand everything and I figure there must be an answer or at least some piece of truth still yet unearthed. Again, I don't agree with war and this war, but I also know that there is no turning back. There hasn't been an opportunity in a while. I hate to say it, but you've been kidding yourself if you thought this was going to be avoided. Our government put us on this track a while back and just out of pride, which sadly rules a lot of policy, forces us to continue on this course. My main concern lately is peace demonstrations and rallies. I agree that peace is the best thing, no doubt. But it is easy to speak out against people, especially the government and condemn them, but if you can offer no solution, no answers to the what ifs, then your words are empty and your actions are no better than a nation that engages in preemptive strikes without hard evidence. I fear I might regret these words later as they are harsh and I'm stricken by the gravity of the recent events, but I truly believe that too often we speak without thinking. We take the easy route when we call for peace and offer no solutions. Peace is the easy route at times like this. I don't mean to commend Bush or the government, but war is a hard road to take, let alone live by. I also have never been the most patriotic person, always one to at least give some thought to conspiracy theories, etc. But I also know that our nation takes its rights and freedoms for granted. I also know that even if I or anyone else does not support this war, we still need to show love and send prayers to the soldiers out there. Many of them don't agree with it either, but they believe in the country and the foundations it was built on. But anyways, to summarize, I'm very confused and also frustrated because I can't seem to find answers.