My grandmother was fond of reminding me that ‘the truth will find you out’. I wonder if Tony Blair’s grandmother gave him the same advice? Today he faces scrutiny over his part in engaging in war with Iraq and it could prove an uncomfortable time. Already several high ranking officials have offered evidence that suggests this war might have been illegal. So what to make of that?
Personally I am delighted that we live in a socity that holds leaders accountable for their actions- I am sure Zimbabweans desire the same. The very fact that Tony Blair faces this difficult day is a good thing for the freedom and justice of this land. On might question the premise of what makes something illegal or even under which law a leader should live, regardless, it is a good thing that people are desiring the truth as they reflect on the rightness/wrongness of this war.
I also applaud this day because it underlines a fact that should be obvious- war is a terrible thing. Over the last few years countless soldiers and civilians have lives and been horribly scarred and injured. The physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological damage caused when anyone goes to war cannot be understimated and we should only engage in warfare when it is absolutely necessary. Was it this time around?
I do not know but have always balked at the first action of invading troops, which was to circle and protect the oil fields. Does this not reveal at least something of what motivated the invasion? But then I am not privvy to information the decision makers held and we must link this action to 9/11- for there is little doubt that the horror of that attack clouded judgements and with good reason. Would Iraq have been invaded if the Twin Towers had not been hit? I doubt it but, of course, we can never know.
And how much evidence of terrorism was known but not provable? For this reason I do wonder how useful today can be…after all the leaders of the Taliban will never be held to such scrutiny! How do you fight cleanly with the dirty cowardice that is terrorism? It is a challenging question that is not easily answered. Do you kill the man suspected of carrying bombs into a shopping precinct if only 90% certain? At what point is the decision made?
As today unfolds we Christians should pray; for greater harmony amongst the nations of the earth, for those living in lands torn apart by warfare and especially the vulnerable in such lands, the elderly, children, the disabled and infirm. We should pray for the departed and, regardless of the morality of the war itself, we must pray for our troops who sacrifice much for our freedom.
Doubtless the charismatic Blair will perform to the gallery and we should pray for him as well. He is doubtless arrogant but I do not think he is wicked, leading a nation is no easy task and hubris is hard to hold at bay when power is placed in your hands. Finally we should pray for those whose hearts are filled with hatred and who desire to hurt others- may they be converted to a life of love and humble service.
And finally remember that the ‘truth will find you out’….is your house in order?
I thought your god loved war. He certainly allows a great many to be fought in his name.
As for Blair, don’t forget he thought he could get away with it (and he will) because he expected to be ultinmately judged by God
I think anyone with any education can see that all wars share more of a political than religious theme. Northern Ireland, for example, may use sectarianism to breed hatred but its war is faught over the British involvement in that land. Furthermore the names Stalin and Pol Pot render the argument entirely dormant as they were both atheists. Finally what wars have in common is mankind- and because the church is full of fallen humans it is not going to be perfect….if you want to judge us on our behaviour you will find we are a church full of sinful hypocrites- the good news for you Woggler- we always have room for another. And at least we Christians are striving to get it right and live by love.
Rene Girard writes on this topic and addresses it very well. I definitely recommend him if you haven’t yet read him.
God bless,
Andy B.
Andy B
Rene Girard – Sorry, way too heavy for my feeble little brain to handle.
“Furthermore the names Stalin and Pol Pot render the argument entirely dormant as they were both atheists.”
How so?
They secured the oilfields first because one of Saddam’s tactics in Operation Desert Storm was to set fire to oil facilities. Securing the fields both prevented environmental damage, and preserved them for Iraq’s future.
The often cited argument that the invasion was “for Oil” hardly needs refuting: production is sold to fill the Iraqi exchequer, not any of the coalition’s, nor have subsequent oil contracts been awarded predominantly to companies from coalition countries.
As has been pointed out, if the UK and USA had only wanted access to Iraqi oil, they could just have bought it. Oil is relatively cheap. Even security council votes are quite cheap: votes against action against Iraq pretty much line up with the places Iraq bought most of their arms.