A special thanks to all who participated in UnityFirst.com's Pulse report regarding Iraq. We appreciate your candor and willingness to share your views and perspectives. The following summary highlights the key points and quotes from the many people of varied backgrounds, income levels, gender, professions, geographic representations, and affiliations (ethnic, religious, political, social) who took the time to share helpful insights. The topical sections reflect comments from people across the country and world. The summary, with representative quotes from responses, is as follows:

Moving to Protest
"It's an outrage. I'll be at the protest on Boston Common March 29th."

Not about people, its about war
" I am opposed to the war, I feel it is NOT about destroying a regime and liberating the Iraqi people. It is about oil, money and power. However, now that war has started, I am irritated by the protestors/rioters in Chicago, because our city's resources are focused on handling the protestors, as opposed to keeping our citizens safe from terrorists acts in our streets, roads, waterways, water plants and other crucial facilities. As always, my prayers and support are with our servicemen and their families."

God will pass judgment in due time
" I agree with you...They say we have power in voting....but do we truly?.....No matter how well we think that things could be with "IF" & "SUPPOSE" statements, none of it will come to pass if those in charge
choose not to see eye-to-eye with the true beliefs and thoughts of the very American people they have pledged to represent. This will go on and on PERIOD...and all we can hope for is that GOD passes
judgment on these individuals when their time comes, and in the meantime spares all of the innocent and defenseless."

Need a more peaceful means of achieving disarmament
"If A more peaceful means of achieving disarmament was possible we should have pursued the peaceful means because an eminent threat appeared improbable based on earlier reports from the disarmament inspectors."

U.S. is pushing its superpower status around with arrogant aggressive actions
"We should not be bombing Iraq at this time! I am in support of protecting 'our' borders. But initiating "preemptive strikes" such as the one in operation now is NOT the same thing. It is an arrogant, aggressive action taken because the US is currently the major power in the world and feels confident in pushing its weight around. That may not always be true and what will we do then?

Saddened by war…this is not the answer
" I am very saddened by this war. I do not believe that War is the answer. We as human beings should find other ways instead of always resorting to War. This war is all about the Oil, and innocent people are being killed, both in our Military and over in Iraq. I will continue to pray for World Peace."

Fabrication of Colin Powell's reports to the U.N.
"The cheerleading for war by this dismal media which does not report the facts shows they are in direct collusion with the Bush crew. How much have you heard about the forged, outdated documents read by Colin Powell?"

What happened to the power of the people in the U.S.
"We must be proactive and focus on the 2004 elections. While this president and his advisors continue to shred the constitution, our elected congress-persons have abdicated their responsibility and are remaining silent in the face of a non-declared war by Congress. shameful!"

Why are we there… can somebody give a clear explanation? If it doesn't have to do with 9/11…are we looking for one man again….like Osama…and where is he?
" My feeling is one of not fully understanding why our young men and women are in a country of people of color to kill for something we have nothing to do with. I believe it's been an obsession with the president to go to war with Iraq, regardless of the lives that might be lost, or the repercussions in this country. With other wars, it was all over there, well now we know it may well be over here, since 911. Children in schools are frightened by it all, and I think there shouldn't be so much on all the TV channels."

I am upset and powerless
"I am too up set with this manipulated war. I've never faced any thing that makes me feel so powerless before. It appears as if all news is being distorted; George w. bush and his greedy bandits in power can feed the masses any made-up lie and the media will prints and repeat it as fact. They are with-out conscience. Worst.....Under false pretenses they disarm a country so they are not able to defend themselves, and then bomb them to hell! Where is the honor in that?"

Why is the U.S. policing the world?
When is the United States going to stop policing the world? This is a classic case of the David and Goliath syndrome.

U.S. control of the oil assets to further our own interests
"I think that the outcome of our actions will take decades to understand. I believe the U.S. is looking for a place/reason to "control" the oil assets in the Middle East as well as the dynamics of governments in that area of the world .Iraq was the most immediate target since there has been some violation of the U. N. Agreement. I think we would have waited for the next U.N. vote if it were not for the fact that we want to get control of a government in that area to further our own program. By establishing a transition government in Iraq, we actually get to decide the allocation of resources under the pretext of helping the people of Iraq. That kind of situation will give us a lot of control in the short term. "

If the U.S. was so concerned about torture and abuse…where were they in South Africa
"If this country is so concerned about "rescuing" citizens from torture and abuse, where was the United States during apartheid in South Africa? Oh, now I remember, they sent the CIA to track down Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and other freedom fighters so they could be thrown in jail."

I think this is an illegal war. It was not authorized by the United Nation therefore it is an act of terrorism against the Iraq people.
The question the rest of the world should be asking who is next.If we violate international law to pursue this war, how can we be quoting the rules of engagement under the Red Cross that govern the way prisoners of war to be treated.
The U.S.A. declare this war what court should try these war criminal, the US Courts or the international court? Under what law should they be tried. International law or US laws. If the war is illegal then how can you bring people to trial? There are some interesting issues to be confronted in the pursuit of this war.

With respect to the War in Iraq.
1. I support the President and the actions taken against Iraq.
2. I support the American and "Coalition of the Willing" soldiers.
3. I think that individuals that believe Hussein should have more time should immigrate to his country and experience his freedom of choice and individual rights programs.
4. When it comes to significant and world shaping decision points, the UN has consistently failed to live up to its stated aims. The UN should be first to oppose the destruction of life, suppression of the weak, and state sponsored human rights abuse.
5. The American public should worry less about the opinions of Leaders and countries that let themselves be run over and govern by dictators and focus more on what is human and just for groups without voices. We fail to recognize that Countries that lacked the will to defend themselves against the WWI, WWII, Czars, and Communists tyrants of the past century place a value on freedom that is different from the value that we place on freedom. While we in America know the value and meaning of freedom, some of these so called examples of world opinion have little understanding of what freedom means.
6. American citizens that choose to protest against the War should be mindful of the fact that our American Soldiers are fighting to give the Iraqi citizens the same right to exercise their individual convictions as they (as protestor) are doing. When they get done protesting, ask them why the Iraqi citizen shouldn't have the same right to exercise their personal convictions.
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