Thanks for your post...

Remember, the 'war' in 1861 was originally thought to last but a few weeks. There would be one great battle (first battle of Bull Run), the union would prevail, and everyone would go home. Spectators with picnic baskets even came to watch 'the fun' from Washington in horse-drawn carriages...

It didn't turn out that way. The union troops were defeated and routed. Actually, if the southern commanders had known and continued on, they could have captured Washington that very day.

Anyway, NOW the war was on and it got dirty fast... and if not for the colossal ineptitude and stupidity of union generals up to Gettysberg in 1863 the war could have been ended long before it was. The North had overwhelming manpower and industrial might. They just couldn't find a general worth a damn until Ulysses S Grant took command of the union army.

The civil war was a monster that got out of control fast, took on a life of it's own and lasted 4 terrible years....

As for the abortion issue, there is vast difference in perception at work here. I can understand the anti-abortion point of view, however I don't agree. As I am not Christian (aside from a soft spot for the Gnostics), scripture does naught to convince me.

Although, as you say :

"It is mans convenience to murder and then justify it later" -- you will get no argument from me. I just don't happen to agree when it comes to abortion.

Don't get me wrong. I don't view abortion lightly. I suppose there are those that find it far less disturbing and intrusive than I do, however the fact remains (the world according to Wiz), that the soul is immortal and the soul energy that would have inhabited and animated that body simply moves on to a different (and one hopes) more conducive potential environment for life.

I believe in God, however it is not a God that judges us. We are forced to look at ourselves in between our lives on this planet and come to terms with either the damage or the good we have done to others. We, in the end, are our worst judge and jury, as we are the ones who have to take responsibility for our actions.

It's karma, dude!

As for going to war against tyrants, you are on a slippery slope here. We were told we were in imminent danger from Iraq. Saddam had nasty bugs, Saddam had nasty chemicals. Tons and tons and tons, poised and ready to strike us with. Not only that, Saddam was clanking together Nukes in his back yard.

Why, Tony Blair said England could be under attack in 45 minutes. Add that to the whoppers Bush told and we were lied to, lied to , lied to.

Now, with no smoking gun, (or anything even vaguely like a smoking gun) the aim of the war conveniently changes. Remove the tyrant! (from on top of all that oil)

Do you have any idea how many tyrants that murder their people there are in the world today ? (not sitting on vast oil fields). Most of the time the US backs them. And, unless they turn renegade, like Saddam did, the US only squawks and sanctions them (a la North Korea, Iran, etc.)

This being the case, we need to bomb and invade Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, half the countries in Africa starting with the Belgian Congo, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, a bunch of the break away Russian republics (and why not Russia while we're at it) , most of the far east including China and of course North Korea. Don't forget central America and parts of south America, with their brutal regimes that 'disappear' dissidents, peasant farmers and street children (who are an eyesore to tourism)

It's nice that you want to make the world safe for UNOCAL and Halliburton, however I do not believe that ultimately it's in Americas best interest to dominate and subjugate the political and economic systems of foreign countries in the 'so called' name of democracy. (which is a sham as big money and special interests controls the vote, or lack of it anyway)

And, the natives in these countries will kick up a stink and we will have to fight and occupy by force. Well, we did it once here in America... (only we stole *all* the land and just killed off *most* of the indigenous peoples) I guess it's time to move our brand of peace and freedom around the world...

The point is that we can't impose democracy on places like Iraq. There will be a nasty civil war there soon. Or, the 'peace' will be imposed with quarter million US troops (many getting killed everyday) and the whole of Iraq will be occupied, locked down and turned into a prison camp a la Palistine. (while Halliburton merrily pumps Iraq dry)

Not a very rosy furure for us or them, I fear... (nice for Bush and his oil cronies, though)

Anyway, have a nice day too! (we can all agree to disagree and still have nice days)

;0)

Are you talking about the tapes that experts have already proved were faked? I can dig up info on that if you like. It is sad to see someone with their mind nailed shut.
Really sad.