Sleepless in America

March l9, 2003 will be a red-letter day in world history. It marks the beginning of the second US-led invasion of Iraq to "decapitate Saddam Hussein and his oppressive regime."

After two weeks, the war has caused division among Americans and among nations. America, in her apparent obsession to avenge the horrific tragedy of 9-11, will never be the same nation again.

Through a determined President George W. Bush, America is showing her might and power despite the strong disagreement of many nations, including former allies like France, Germany and Russia. Many world leaders are divided as to how best to solve this "war against terrorism" as the United Nations has failed to impose sanctions on "offending" nations like Iraq, North Korea and possibly, the United States.

This war is not only about Saddam Hussein, since it affects other areas such as politics, diplomacy, trade, commerce, human rights, freedom of religion, as well as allegations of business interests in the cheap sources of oil.

Citizens and residents of southern California, where I live, are trying hard to cope by not watching TV and reading newspapers. The possible results of war are both positive and negative. Already, the stock market soared, with the weekly Dow Jones achieving its biggest gains in 20 years. Rebuilding from the ashes of war will definitely spur economic activity.

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Like thousands of immigrants to America who have achieved success through hard work (which seems to be elusive in the Philippines), I am in favor of America’s second invasion of Iraq. But let’s read about the reactions of other Filipinos – members of the Progressive Times Cyberspace forum.

From Marius Angara, via e-mail: "I prefer the United States as a dominant power than China, North Korea or Russia. This war will ensure world peace in the long run."

Frank Adamo, an American of Italian ancestry, and a fellow Rotarian married to Celly Ferraren, a chemist from Bulacan, has this to say: "Six months from now, the Middle East will be far more stable after the US and its allies have defeated a dictator. Moreover, the US has never and will never go to war just to conquer another country. We should not compare the Roman or British Empires to this war, because the US wants to liberate Iraq from a ruthless dictator."

Yolanda Stern, president of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco, says: "This US-Iraq war is making me sleepless as I am deeply concerned about the people who will be affected by the war. The livelihood of hundreds of thousands of OFWs in the Middle East will be impacted, especially if the weapons of mass destruction will be utilized. It is common knowledge that Filipino OFWs working in the Middle East are the main supporters of their families back home. The OFWs are also a major booster of the Philippine economy in general."

Commodore Ramon A. Alcaraz (Retired) of Orange County, California, remarks that the US is justified in purging the evil regime of Saddam Hussein. "The United Nations has become irrelevant when it refused to punish Iraq for the non-compliance of many UN resolutions in the last l2 years," he says.

Another businessman, Efren B. Marfil, a former realtor from Manila, who is now a businessman in Huntington Beach, California, says: "This US-England military attack with the coalition of about 50 willing nations has been long overdue. It is also the fastest way to liberate the Iraqi people from oppression by a ruthless dictator. After the war, the world economy will improve since people and nations will have more freedom to pursue their legitimate desires and therefore can pursue their businesses for the improvement of their own families."

From Trek Garcia, via e-mail: "For people who don’t like the war against Iraq, why don’t you immigrate to Iraq rather than the US? The gas is cheaper there, don’t you think? The US is at war with Iraq for the long-term peace among nations and to warn rogue nations and leaders to respect humanity and the right to live in freedom."

Christina Figuerido from Dallas, Texas writes: "After exhausting all reasonable means, it is absolutely necessary and justifiable to wage war for the following reasons: 1) to bring down unjust, maniacal tyrants; (2) to free tortured, oppressed people; (3) to protect life and liberty; and (4) to establish a legitimate, democratic government in Iraq.

Dr. Eddie "Ka Edong" del Rosario from Guam writes: "I am writing this in San Francisco, the birthplace of the United Nations. I left Guam the day President Bush gave the signal to start the US-Iraq war, which I had opposed for public health, environmental and moral reasons. I saw first-hand, the devastation of the land and the horrible deaths of civilians, especially innocent children in South Vietnam. I was then a volunteer Filipino doctor, a member of a People-to-People Medical Team. I was an eyewitness to man’s inhumanity to man. However, with more potent weapons of mass destruction (WMD), the mass destruction of Iraq and its people is almost assured. An insane dictator, once cornered, will not think twice to torch his country’s oil fields that will result in severe environmental degradation of Iraq and neighboring countries. Potent and deadly bacteriological weapons will unleash a huge epidemic of biblical proportions. Clearly, then, prevention of a terrible apocalypse is so much more desirable."

Jess Dulay Delfin, ADC, USN (Retired) writes: "I support the US campaign to get Saddam out of Iraq. The Iraqis will be better off when they are free to think and act for themselves after he is out of power. With their oil reserves, the Iraqi people can rebuild their country and this time, enjoy the freedom of a free society. The Americans should conclude this war expeditiously. The Iraqi military leadership has had enough warnings and chances to save themselves. It’s regrettable that there will be casualties on both sides."

Sytakei, a voice of dissent, writes: "America: Land of the free? I am glad to hear that not all have gone mad in America. Ethnic Filipinos may do well to emulate the example of John Bradley Kiesling, the first career US diplomat who quit in strong protest against this US-led war against Iraq last month."

Paul Dalde from Houston, Texas writes: "I cannot find any reason to prolong Saddam Hussein’s hold on his terrorized people. War is wrong but it is also wrong to let Saddam stay in power. He will not leave; he will not resign. How else can anyone change the situation?"

From Saudi Arabia, a cerebral Vir Abueva writes: "Many said that war is illogical, illegal, unjust and immoral. I guess nobody would disagree with this. But how about if a country wages war with another country to arrest and disarm a world criminal who is a potential threat to national security and to the rest of mankind? Would the means justify the end, if it is the only resort left? For instance, an individual in the street is threatening to throw a hand grenade at a group of people and we know that as a hardened criminal, he would not hesitate to make real his threats if he is not stopped. Is it illegal and immoral to anticipate his move by shooting him first than allow him to do greater harm and damage? Who shall we call first to solve this dilemma: the priests, the nuns, the activists, the ideologues, the politicians or the SWAT team?"

Lastly, my wife Benita Delfin, would like her comments published: "Having a brother in Saudi Arabia, which is close to Basra and Kuwait, has made me anxious and fearful. I guess this is how the families of soldiers and OFWs working in the Middle East are feeling. I would like to share with everyone this prayer by Rabbi Harold S. Kurshner, published by the L.A. Times Parade Section. Hopefully it will be a source of comfort and hope:

Prayer For The World

Let the rain come and wash away the ancient grudges,

The bitter hatred held and nurtured over generations.

Let the rain wash away the memory of the hurt, the neglect.

Then let the sun come out and fill the sky with rainbows.

Let the warmth of the sun heal us wherever we are broken.

Let it burn away the fog so that we can see each other clearly.

So that we can see beyond labels, beyond accents, gender or skin color.

Let the warmth and brightness of the sun melt our selfishness.

So that we can share the joys and feel the sorrows of our neighbors.

And let the light of the sun be so strong that we will see

All our people as our neighbors.

Let the earth nourished by rain, bring forth flowers to surround us with beauty.

And let the mountains teach our hearts to reach upward to heaven. Amen.

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America is not a perfect nation (no country is), but it is still the envy of the world. In fact, more people are trying to get into America than leave it. Despite its restrictive immigration policies, millions of foreigners – rich or poor, educated or not, black, white, brown or yellow, Muslim, Protestant or Catholic – still come to America, either legally or illegally, to seek greener pastures. To all who disagree and hate what America stands for, this country has more refugees, undocumented and overstaying foreigners than any other nation on earth. Go figure.

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E-mail the writer at: erdelusa@hotmail.com or drbannatiran@yahoo.com. Join discussions at: progressivetimes-subscribe@yahoo groups.com. Websites: www.progressive times.org and www.katipunan-usa.org.