Slug: Nyquil and Iraq

Hed: I am confused by politics

SubHed:

24 Sept 04

Sybil Priebe

Opinion Editor

Battling a cold under the influence of Nyquil can really put the world in perspective for a person. I have had psychedelic dreams and watched one too many episodes of Sex and the City all the while dealing with cold sweats (nice image, eh?). I don’t think I have learned anything or had any drug-induced epiphanies, but I am starting to feel better. I know this because I am back to myself- the confused human being I am good at.

I keep getting crap from a certain someone about not watching the news (reason for Tuesday’s column on the ban I didn’t even know existed), and so, while using Kleenex like it’s going out of style, I watched the news recently. I dislike talking or hearing about politics because it all confuses me. And one thing I don’t quite get is the situation in Iraq.

I am confused as to why we’re there. I am confused as to how we went from Bin Laden and Afganistan to Hussein and Iraq. I am confused as to why we are helping a nation that dislikes us and is fighting back (on Tuesday an “al-Qaida-linked group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi killed the second of two American hostages” according to the Associated Press). And I don’t think I am the only one confused.

I get that it’s all political (which = confusing for me). That somehow George and his crew connected some people to some other people and those people dated Hussein or rented a hut from him once (maybe they have their own version of the “Kevin Bacon” game), but why haven’t we gotten Osama? I also get to a point that we’re there to protect oil and look for weapons that George hasn’t secretly placed somewhere yet, but my confused self asks: Why do we have to be there? Why do troops, American people, have to die?

I was informed by the news that “they’ll” be sending more troops over for one-year rotations starting in December, and a part of me just wanted to scream: “NO.” Why, why, why? Why are we there? Are we there to watch over George’s oil interests? Are we there changing a country into a democracy just like the Puritans did to the American Indians? Are we there because it’s something for our military to do? Is it because American presidents have a fascination with spending money on military expenses like I do with shoes?

The only conclusion I come to is a phrase my dad once said to me that may or may not be useful in the future: “Don’t burn bridges.” Perhaps by keeping the Middle East close to us, we can make some headway for the people there. I am all for that. And if that doesn’t happen, then we’ve at least, to use another helpful phrase, “Kept our enemies closer.” No matter which way you look at it all, under Nyquil intoxication or not, it’s confusing, and the troops should stay at home. I get that last part the best.