Mühltal (Germany), May 3^rd 2003

Dear Debbie,

yesterday I was invited to have dinner with friends. I was looking forward to spending a calm evening. Their nephew was there, too. A twenty-five-year-old law-student, smart, good-looking, dynamic, self-assertive. When I asked him about the subject of his studies, he told me that he was emphasizing on International Law, especially the war in Iraq. From that moment on, the evening was spoiled. Why?

When reading the following extracts of our conversation, you will understand.

His first statement:

„The war in Iraq was illegal because war is never justified."

„Even when it is necessary to stop mass-murder?"

„Even then. International Law says that every state can do what he wants - within his frontiers - including torture and mass-murder."

„How cynical! Fortunately that is not the only possible interpretation of International Law."

„Whatever the interpretation of International Law is, the United Nations are the only legitimate world-power."

„So, if they decided to go to war, then war would be justified? That is contradicting your first argument."

Silence. He was apparently running out of arguments, time to start with Bush-bashing:

„President Bush is a cowboy."

In Europe, this is meant as an insult.

„Whether he is a cowboy or not, I prefer being protected by a cowboy to being shot dead by a terrorist."

„The niveau of your arguments is below my standards."

„Thank you, the same to you!"

He continued:

„The axis of evil does not exist. Bush does not have the right to classify states into good and evil."

„So tell me, where would you prefer living: In places like North Korea, China, Russia or in the States?"

„I would prefer living in China to living in the U.S.!

„Despite SARS?"

„Yes."

These were just some of the arguments we exchanged. Under these circumstances, I did not enjoy my meal very much.

But when I finally left my friend, she whispered in my ear:

„No need to worry, Karin, he is applying for a Green Card."

I went home with a little smile on my face ;-)

Love Karin

© Karin Quade, May 2003