:: Chris Turner's Journal ::

:: Monday, February 17, 2003 ::

Dear Ben...

Here is a letter I wrote to my history tutor, outlining why I'm against a war in Iraq. Hope people find it informative.
==================================

Ben,

No, I didn’t go to the march on Saturday – though I’m still against a war. My main concerns are what the Americans will do after their occupation of Iraq. I presume they will set up a “Government of Military Occupation” (as in Korea) and attempt to install a “democratic” system in Iraq. My question (that has so far not been answered by any Americans, online – in a debate – or on a TV show) is this: What will the US do if the Iraqi people want to elect a candidate who is openly hostile to the United States? Will they even be allowed to put forward such a candidate, or will the US decide who gets put on the ballot sheet? Or will they back weak, ineffectual politicians, but who support their interests (as with Syngman Rhee in Korea, Diem in Vietnam, etc.)? I think this is likely.

The US has also failed to account for why Saddam is a threat now, in 2003, when he wasn’t in 1998 when the weapons inspectors last left Iraq. Or even in 2001 when George Bush came to power. If Blair is so sure of the “moral” reasons for war in Iraq, why didn’t he commit troops before? It seems to me that the general failure of the campaign in Afghanistan to deliver anything concrete to Bush’s popularity is more the reason for the timing of this war.

They also spout the threat that he *might* give chemical weapons to terrorists. I happen to know that Britain (among others) sells chemical weapons to Cuba. After that, Fidel Castro is free to sell those weapons to whoever he likes. This sort of crap is happening all over the world (“you’re either in the arms business, or you’re not”). I find it highly unlikely that Al-Qaeda will be knocking on Saddam’s door asking for weapons – after all, they think he is akin to an “infidel”. The only country that Saddam has his eye on (apart from consolidating his own position in Iraq) is Israel, and I fail to see why that is the business of anyone but the Israelis. I have very little time for a country whose people think it is okay to bulldoze houses, clear towns, and kill people indiscriminately – when the Yugoslavs were doing the same in Kosovo, we went to war (I travelled there in the summer of 1999 as a 17 year-old Private). However, because of the Jewish population in the US, Israel remains a vital American interest, and so we overlook the genocide being inflicted upon the Palestinians. This sort of deep cynicism and hypocrisy within the American government makes me very reluctant to support them at all.

I have no intention of going to war in the Middle East purely to spread the influence of the USA overseas…and currently, most reservists are tearing up their call papers or applying for exemptions left, right and centre. I haven’t been called up, but if I am – you can be sure I’ll be applying for one.

Hope all goes well with study leave!

Regards,

Chris Turner

:: Plod 17:48 [+] ::
...

*Yawn*...

So, life plods on. I finally got that reference letter from Ben Zachariah that I needed - so I can complete my application to UCL at last, *and* I got some passport photos so I can complete the return of the contract to RailEurope for my summer job...all in all, though - I'm knackered! I don't know why really. I'm a bit bored at the moment - and tired. I think I need to lay down with a good book...or I could start writing something.

That sounds like a good idea. I feel like a bit of escapism right now.

:: Plod 22:18 [+] ::
...

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's day to all the couples & hopefuls. For the first time in 6 years, I am without a girlfriend on Valentine's day...*sniffle*

:: Plod 13:12 [+] ::
...

Fried Chicken Street

The exercise regime is going well, and I've settled back into the rhythm of university...it's strange to have to be out of bed for things once again!

I scribbled a good new poem in my journal today (you can find it over at Eversong) called "Fried Chicken Street"...it's partly about my old home town of Bexleyheath (in South East London), and partly about any typical run-down street. I hope you enjoy it. I wrote it when I was in the "bunker" (one of the underground floors of the library - no windows or anything), but I had the idea for it the other day.

:: Plod 00:54 [+] ::
...

Idea for a Poem

As I was on my way down to the gym today, I had an idea for a poem...or a song. I'm going to mull it over, but I want to write about my ex-girlfriend Kate, and girls like her. I already have a title, so I guess the rest will just flow from that.

I'm pretty settled on "The Hairspray High-Heel Chronicles"...it sums her up perfectly :)

:: Plod 00:27 [+] ::
...

Busy, Busy Busy!

I'm aching from playing waaaay too much badminton...but at least I mauled both Matt *and* Chris! :)
I guess I was just better than I remembered being in school.

:: Plod 00:26 [+] ::
...

My friend Michelle

Just thought I'd post a picture of my rather lovely friend Michelle (from down under) here, since this is also my scrapbook as well as my journal :) Isn't she gorgeous?


Michelle

:: Plod 11:47 [+] ::
...

Resumption of Normal Service

Well, I'm writing in my journal once again on a regular basis. Its nice to be back. A lot's been happening since last time (properly)...lots of little things are out of the way at last.

Exams finished a while back, they're not a problem anymore...but I'm plodding on with my dissertation. It takes up a lot of time, and sometimes it can be so boring to be stuck down in the library. Sadly, for me, the Korean Studies collection is on Stack 3, which means it's underground - i.e. no windows, no nothing...it's just like a black hole down there. Hardly inspiring stuff!

On the personal front, I've been seeing a few friends from university, and have been welcomed back into St Tom's church with open arms. I really feel things moving for me at the moment, but I'm not entirely sure where. It's quite exciting, but also quite frightening.

I'm also going to start going back down the gym on a regular basis. It's stupid that I haven't been for so long - I used to find it easy when I had lots of organised lectures and seminars, because I could just jump on a tram and be there in a couple of minutes, but when I have to make a special effort, it can get hard. I've started eating again properly, too :)

:: Plod 11:44 [+] ::
...

Leisure (William Henry Davies)

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

:: Plod 00:03 [+] ::
...