December 17, 1998
The Situation in Iraq
Watching the news today about the growing escalation in the Gulf flooded back some memories from I guess around seven years ago. I was in sixth grade and we had just declared war on Iraq. I was still rather too young to understand the dynamics of international politics, but I knew enough that we just couldn't simply go and nuke them all (unlike the rest of my classmates who suggested that plan of attack every moment they could). Maybe that is why I freaked out a little.
My parents were going off to a conference the next day in Miami. They were flying. My mind had enough facts to be worried about my mom and dad flying into one of the airports most likely for terrorist acts while tensions were snapping in the Mideast. Good lord, every kid with a right mind would have to at least cringe at the idea.
I didn't till my parents about this, or anyone for that matter. I didn't want to sound like a whining baby. Some people probably noticed though. One friend called me that night. He wanted to talk about the battle, saying we had just declared war. I tried to deny it, claiming the news had gotten it wrong, but he kept referring to those ghastly green videos showing Baghdad pelted by missiles. I was scared and I didn't want to face the truth.
Thankfully, my parents are keeping their feet on the ground this holiday season. Even still, I'm a little scared.