WHILE I AM NOT GUILTY, I AM RESPONSIBLE

American Letter to Iraqis

Dear People of Iraq,
I am an American, and as an American, I often find it very difficult to take responsibility for my actions. This letter is my effort to take responsibility for some of the things I have done to harm you. I speak for no other American but myself.

I am responsible for the many decades of suffering and hardship you have faced (and may well likely continue to face). I helped bring Saddam Hussein to power in order to control your natural resources and to use you as a state agent against Iran. I furnished Saddam with political support, money and deadly weaponry, much of which was used against you with my silent blessings. I protected him and allowed him create a world of misery for you in return for his loyalty to me.

Eventually, for political reasons, I found it useful to make him a bogey man. To his credit, this was a roll he played very well.

However, when I punished him with sanctions, you were the ones who starved. When I punished him with bombs, you were the ones who died. When I removed him from power without a workable transition strategy, you were the ones who were thrust into lawless chaos.

When Saddam was of no more use to me, I had him killed.

I know this letter means next to nothing to you, as you struggle to survive day to day, but I think it is important for at least one single American to acknowledge his silent responsibility in your suffering.

Sincerely,
An American

Note: I copied this from Dancewater who copied it from Daily Kos.
Dancewater herself has done more to promote Peace than I could in the next 45 years.
I know in my heart I have not done enough to promote Peace and in daily affairs with other Humans have often failed the daily chance to do so. Indeed many times my actions have the opposite effect. As it has been said, one pebble thrown in the pond has many ripples. Or something like that. Anyways, I just believe in the Collective. Be they our Labors or the Fruits of such. It's our Decision, Bitter or Sweet, We'll have to Eat what We put on the Table.

For another post that is in part about responsibility go to this post at Supergirlest's Thinking Spot.
Peace.