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I’d Choose Neither if I Could

I’d Choose Neither if I Could

March 18, 2003 (Tue)

‘Despair or folly?’ said Gandalf. ‘It is not despair, for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not. It is wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope. Well, let folly be our cloak, a veil before the eyes of the Enemy!’

-J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Rings

In all the grandiose tales of bravery and honor, the difference between right and wrong is almost always a simple matter. But that kind of clarity only exists in fairy tales. Now yet again, as the US stands poised on the brink of war, we are all compelled to question whether an assault on Iraq is warranted, and if it’s even worth it. Over the past few months, my opinion has swayed several times. But now, after hearing what people have had to say on the matter, and after much reflection, I believe the US is doing the right thing. Maybe I’m a product of propaganda. Maybe I don’t fully appreciate the horrors of combat, even after viewing all of those well-produced war movies. All I know for sure is that Saddam is one of the biggest assholes alive today. It saddens me to think that so much blood has been—and soon will be—shed on his behalf. Between despair and folly, I’m eager to choose neither. But choices have been made, and now we all await the outcome of this war. May God help us all, if it suits Him to do so.

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2 Comments

Conrado

March 20, 2003 at 3:08 am Reply

Folly be our cloak do you say?
Carlos Oliveira

March 28, 2003 at 12:19 pm Reply

being the person that says the word "asshole" the most...i must say you hit that one on the head my friend.