... and then on March 19, 2003, the bombs began dropping. With over a quarter million armed soldiers, more firepower than the rest of the world combined, and complete air superiority, the United States broke off diplomatic efforts in favor of military aggression. Regardless of whether you're a peace monger, warmonger or something in between, it has been clear that this first strike was inevitable since the start of the year. While the troops scurry over the desert in a tense first week, one thing seems to be overwhelmingly evident: We are killing ourselves.

Let's look at the coalition casualties first. Eight British and four U.S. marines died in a helicopter crash. A U.S. soldier dropped live grenades in the tents of his fellow soldiers, injuring 13. The first aircraft to be shot down (a British plane) was done in by our own Patriot missile. Friendly fire has always been one of America's biggest obstacles, but when you have a quarter million folks armed with the finest killing equipment an army can have, that's what happens. It will not stop until the war subsides.

While many Iraqis have surrendered to U.S. forces, they are not all laying down. There have been American casualties and POWs. When you attack someone on their own soil, they don't have anywhere to run. Imagine if someone invaded your town and told you to lay down and surrender. Did anyone see Red Dawn? It's some of Patrick Swayze's finest work.

PG-13 war movies aside, we are killing ourselves in the name of many things. In the name of democracy, in the name of Iraqi freedom, in the name of oil, we have entered into the desert demanding change. Marines successfully fought hard for and claimed the southern Iraqi oil fields. We did this in the name of Iraq's future. Airplanes bombed Saddam's palaces in and around Baghdad. We did this in the name of regime change.

On a basic level, it doesn't matter who kills who. Regardless of whether you are called American, British, Iraqi, or Al Queda, we are all human beings. When humans kill humans, it creates the worst emotions you can imagine. We were all born, lived through some sort of existence and made it to this moment in time. When people die in war, it says some nasty things about what we think of each other as a species. We value our own way of life more than the lives of others. It has been this way throughout time.

On a personal level, I see Operation Iraqi Freedom as a glorified assassination attempt. The United States makes no qualms about wanting Saddam Hussein gone. In fact, that seems to be the real goal. Kill one man. Kill the leader of a dusty desert wasteland. If that means sacrificing thousands of soldiers, then that's what we will do.

Will I feel safer when this war is over? The answer is an overwhelming yes. I will feel safer from ourselves. Once the United States enters the killing game, it pretty much means everyone is potentially an open target. Our current security status is one notch away from martial law. If my government is willing to go halfway around the world to take over an oil-rich desert, I do not think it would have any problem imprisoning or killing its own citizens. The local police of Albuquerque had no problem shooting tear gas pellets at peace mongers this week. Exercising free speech is acceptable as long as it doesn't cause a problem.

So there you have it. That's where we are during Week 1 of the war. Humanity has polarized, and everything we do is aggressive. Those who support the war are in favor of 'Might makes right.' Those who support peace are 'Dissident and troublesome.' If I didn't know any better, I'd say we are killing ourselves. I guess that shows you what I know.

Chris Jungle is considered unarmed and dangerous.