# The war has begun??? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 20, 2003, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706 "2003-03-20T02:38:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EasyPhil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47c2d/32.png) [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/1 "2003-03-20T02:38:40Z")
I hear a report on the radio that air raid sirens are going off in Bagdad. Anyone else hear anyting? ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/2 "2003-03-20T02:39:51Z")
It could be a false alarm. Clearly the Iraqis think something is up, based on the AAA (anti-aircraft artillery). ---
**Author:** ![ultress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7c8e57/32.png) [@ultress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultress)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/3 "2003-03-20T02:40:39Z")
That’s what they are reporting on MSNBC also. ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/4 "2003-03-20T02:42:18Z")
Of course, by now you’ve probably heard CBS (and I’m sure other stations) reporting that the explosions are Tomahawk missile strikes. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/5 "2003-03-20T02:44:14Z")
It also could be some kind of decoy, drone, intelligence op., or a mission to get the Iraqis to light up their radars. It sounds like real hostilities will begin within hours, maybe hour. ---
**Author:** ![Convict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Convict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Convict)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/6 "2003-03-20T02:45:34Z")
Ari Fleischer just said it has started. The PRes will address the nation at 10:15. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/7 "2003-03-20T02:45:47Z")
Word on Fox is that Bush is going to speak in half an hour–that’s 10:15 EST. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/8 "2003-03-20T02:52:27Z")
Must be something happening - the fuckers at NBC have cut into the Law & Order reruns so we can look at still pictures of dawn sky over Baghdad. I love it when the news people don’t actually have anything to say, but feel like they should be on the air anyway. It’s often the time for endless inanities. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/9 "2003-03-20T02:58:30Z")
Yes, I’ll be leaving my puter in 15 minutes to go watch Bush’s address to the American people with my hubby. (Wait, bad grammar. Bush is not addressing the people with my hubby. What I meant was. . .oh, nevermind.) ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/10 "2003-03-20T02:59:05Z")
First strike by US in Baghdad - “target of opportunity”. Apparently Tomohawk missiles were launched against a target in Baghdad, possibly a meeting of Iraqi leaders. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/11 "2003-03-20T02:59:29Z")
This seems horribly understated, but good luck to us all. ---
**Author:** ![Wabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wabbit)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/12 "2003-03-20T03:12:17Z")
Amen ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/13 "2003-03-20T03:21:15Z")
I am ashamed to be an American tonight. ☹ Down with Bush and his insane aggression. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/14 "2003-03-20T03:24:06Z")
The rest of us are ashamed you’re an American, too. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/15 "2003-03-20T03:24:19Z")
He’s not talking yet – that was 10:15 Eastern, right? Shit shit shit shit SHIT. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/16 "2003-03-20T03:27:40Z")
He gave his speech already. It was short and to the point. Basically the usual party line blah blah blah. I kinda tuned him out… ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/17 "2003-03-20T03:27:58Z")
Now is not the time, \*\*Jomo. \*\* No one’s particularly happy that war is occurring. But instead of saying “Down With Bush” right now, perhaps a moment of silence, a thought or prayer for those who are fighting, something along those lines? ---
**Author:** ![Convict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Convict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Convict)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/18 "2003-03-20T03:35:21Z")
Amen, **Persephone**. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/19 "2003-03-20T03:35:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Persephone \* > \*\*Now is not the time, \*\*Jomo. \*\* > > No one’s particularly happy that war is occurring. But instead of saying “Down With Bush” right now, perhaps a moment of silence, a thought or prayer for those who are fighting, something along those lines? \*\* Hear, hear! Right now there are lots of people all over the world who are afraid and have the lives of themselves, family members, and friends in serious danger. Let’s remember that. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706/20 "2003-03-20T03:37:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Persephone \* > \*\*Now is not the time, \*\*Jomo. \*\* > > No one’s particularly happy that war is occurring. But instead of saying “Down With Bush” right now, perhaps a moment of silence, a thought or prayer for those who are fighting, something along those lines? \*\* Gimme a fucking break. This “now is not the time” crap is so fucking lame. If it were up to half of Bush’s supporters, it would NEVER be time to criticize his holy fucking highness. If you’re really correct, and “No one’s particularly happy that war is occurring,” then what’s wrong with continuing to oppose the policies that led to its commencement. After all, it’s the US that’s starting it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-has-begun/162706.md?page=2)