My level of cynicism about the reasons that took us to war against Iraq remain just as well-developed as they were before I went.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
In July of 2004, I came out strongly against the war with Iraq because it was going to destabilize the Middle East.
We were in opposition to the decision to go to war. But after the war happened, it was clear that you could not sit and look-there would be a breeding ground for terrorism or a new collapsed or failed state named Iraq!
My whole life has been about confronting cynicism.
It is now conventional wisdom that Americans do not care why we went to war in Iraq, that it is enough that the world is better off without Saddam Hussein.
Cynicism is something which has become symbolic of imperial policy.
I vehemently deny that I was born a cynic and a pessimist.
I have no cynicism at all.
We know that in tough times, cynicism is just another way to give up, and in the military, we consider cynicism or giving up simply as forms of cowardice.
Cynicism stems from disappointment. Cynical and faithless people were not always like that. They were filled with possibilities and hope as kids. But they tried and perhaps failed.
I was very much in favor of the Iraq invasion.