The article made the front page of Digg - an accomplishment that I never thought this little website would ever make. But something came to the forefront as more people discovered the story, and that was from the comments on the original Digg story.
The comments made it very clear that so many people have a wide ranging set of opinions about the Iraq War - both for it and against it. It has been nearly 4 years since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and people are still passionate about their stance on the war - possibly more so than they were when the conflict began.
It made me start thinking about previous posts on Digg regarding the war. So, I decided to do some further digging and find out what are the most popular anti-war and pro-war topics that had been posted to Digg.com.
Personally, I have my own opinions about the Iraq issue, but I will try to keep them out of the majority of the article, at least until its conclusion. The war has seen its share of ups and downs - from the questionable intelligence provided before the war, to the capture of Saddam, to the sad news of our troops being harmed and dying on the front, right through to the good and personal news of our troops helping out the citizens of Iraq.
The stories selected below are based solely upon the amount of diggs they received at digg.com - any story that had been reported by Diggers as possibly inaccurate was not included. "Pro" stories were selected based upon positive reasoning and justification for engaging in the Iraq war, or the positive results thus far from the conflict. "Anti" stories were selected based upon topics that focused on the negative aspects of war, or topics that supported an anti-war viewpoint.
So without further ado, here is the first list... the top 10 pro-war topics on Digg:
1. Saddam Hussein - DEAD
11986 diggs at time of writing
Posted by Skitzzo
Submitter's description: Saddam Hussein was hanged roughly 10 minutes ago (just before 6 am local time) Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
2. Saddam Hussein is sentenced to Death by Hanging
4418 diggs at time of writing
Posted by parislemon
Submitter's description: Iraq's High Tribunal found Saddam Hussein guilty of crimes against humanity on Sunday and sentenced him to die by hanging. Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
3. Iraq oil output hits a new high
834 diggs at time of writing
Posted by dburka
Submitter's description: Oil production in Iraq has hit its highest level since former leader Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003. Production has risen to 2.5 million barrels per day (bpd) from a steady 2 million bpd during the US-led invasion, Iraq's new oil minister said. Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
4. Saddam's half-brother is executed!
666 diggs at time of writing
Posted by cafzal
Submitter's description: The half-brother of Saddam Hussein and the former head of Iraq's Revolutionary Court have been hanged, prosecutor Munqith al-Faroon has said. The two executions were carried out before dawn on Monday, he added. Barzan al-Tikriti and Awad Hamad al-Bandar were convicted over the killing of 148 Shias after a 1982 attempt on Saddam's life in Dujail. Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
5. Saddam and cousin discussed killing thousands with chemical weapons: tapes
626 diggs at time of writing
Posted by BigKitty
Submitter's description: Saddam Hussein and his cousin "Chemical Ali" discussed how chemical weapons would exterminate thousands before unleashing them on Kurds in 1988, according to tapes played on Monday in a trial of former Iraqi officials. "I will strike them with chemical weapons and kill them all and damn anyone who is going to say anything..." Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
6. Iraqi Citizens Thank U.S. Troops for Fighting
560 diggs at time of writing
Posted by general13
Submitter's description: "We all thank America for everything and for giving us a chance at freedom. Your soldiers are very brave. Their families are sacrificing a lot for us too and we are thankful." Sometimes interesting to see another viewpoint on the war in Iraq. Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
7. Iraq captures 'al-Qaeda deputy' Hammad Jama al-Faidi
548 diggs at time of writing
Posted by AiNoMuchi
Submitter's description: Breaking - "The Iraqi authorities say they have arrested the second-in-command of al-Qaeda in Iraq. The interior ministry said the man, Hamad Jama al-Faidi, was detained a few days ago. Iraq's national security adviser told a news conference the man was the deputy to Abu Ayyub al-Masri, the current head of the insurgent group." AMEN to that brother! Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
8. The "Miracle of the Mesopotamian Marshes"
340 diggs at time of writing
Posted by wayjer
Submitter's description: Reflooding Restores Wildlife to Iraqi Marshes Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
9. Iraq Resumes Diplomatic Ties With Syria After 24 Years
263 diggs at time of writing
Posted by tomboy501
Submitter's description: After nearly a quarter-century of severed ties, Iraq said Monday it will resume full diplomatic relations with neighboring Syria in a move seen as a possible step toward stemming some of the unrelenting violence. The announcement of restored Iraqi-Syrian ties came during a groundbreaking visit to Baghdad by the Syrian Foreign Minister. Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
10. Iraqi forces can take over by June 2007, says PM
205 diggs at time of writing
Posted by zaibatsu
Submitter's description: '"I cannot answer on behalf of the U.S. administration but I can tell you that from our side our forces will be ready by June 2007," Maliki told ABC television after meeting President Bush in Jordan.' Thank the gods, that all I can say. It's his country and he's really acting like the leader of it. Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
& now, here are the top 10 anti-war topics on Digg:
1. 19 Year Old Visits Boyfriend's Grave
1997 diggs at time of writing
Posted by mjx47
Submitter's description: This is the Iraq war for you. A 19 year old girl visits her dead Marine's grave every day. The real face of this war. Direct Link to article Direct link to Digg story
2. President Bush finally admits: Iraq war is about the oil.
1789 diggs at time of writing
Posted by michaelb1
Submitter's description: On behalf of a grateful nation, Thank you Captain Obvious. Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
3. Sen. Biden: Name One Single Time Cheney's been Correct
1330 diggs at time of writing
Posted by drum_bum
Submitter's description: Carl Levin and Joe Biden appeared on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace yesterday to discuss the situation in Iraq. Sen. Biden slammed Cheney saying, "He is yet to be right one single time on Iraq. Name me one single time he's been correct." Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
4. Iraq War Coalition Fatalities - I just don't know what to say
1204 diggs at time of writing
Posted by zaibatsu
Submitter's description: This flash animation runs at 10 frames per second (one frame for each day) - and a single black dot indicates the geographic location that a coalition military fatality occurred. Each dot starts as a white flash and a larger red dot which fades to black over the span of 39 frames per day, and then slowly fades to grey over the span of the entire war. Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
5. How Iraq Trillion Could Have Been Spent
1191 diggs at time of writing
Posted by msaleem
Submitter's description: The Cost of the Iraq War: Can You Say $1,000,000,000,000? Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
6. Bush Impeachment Effort Gains Traction
930 diggs at time of writing
Posted by Jodin
Submitter's description: The new Congress will likely have to face a grim economic situation, triggered by a drop in housing prices, in addition to the ongoing Iraq War. Failure to address impeachment will only allow the Republicans to shift blame for the downturn on the new Democratic Congress, thus hurting, not helping their chances for 2008. Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
7. Iraq War Increased Support for Al-Qaeda, Pentagon admits
920 diggs at time of writing
Posted by WomunOfColour
Submitter's description: "Muslims do not 'hate our freedoms', but rather, they hate our policies. The overwhelming majority voice their objections to what they see as one-sided support in favor of Israel and against Palestinian rights, and the support for what Muslims collectively see as tyrannies, most notably Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan and the Gulf states." Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
8. White House Wanted 2002 Iraq War Resolution to Cover Entire Middle East
859 diggs at time of writing
Posted by Payson
Submitter's description: In an interview in GQ Magazine, Hagel reveals that the Bush administration tried to get Congress to approve military action anywhere in the Middle East -- not just in Iraq -- in the fall of 2002. Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
9. Bush's Frequent References to God, Made German Chancellor Wary
801 diggs at time of writing
Posted by Aidenaq
Submitter's description: Gerhard Schroeder, the former German chancellor, has written in a new book that George W. Bush's frequent references to God in their meetings before the Iraq war had made him wary of Mr. Bush's political decisions. Mr. Schroeder also suggested that America's Christian conservatives are not much different than Islamists who impose their beliefs. Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
10. Youth turnout in election biggest in 20 years... Giving Boost to Democrats
791 diggs at time of writing
Posted by CLIFFosakaJAPAN
Submitter's description: Young Americans voted in the largest numbers in at least 20 years in congressional elections, energized by the Iraq war and giving a boost to Democrats, pollsters said on Wednesday
(Side note - the fact that the youth turnout was the biggest is not a negative outcome of the war - I included this in the top 10 because it was a clear reaction by young Americans against the war - Greg). Direct link to article Direct link to Digg story
There you have it: the top 10 Digg articles for both sides of the fence. It was noticeable that the more anti-war articles had more diggs. As a matter of fact, it was quite difficult to find positive articles regarding the war.
I'm not so sure that means that most Diggers are anti-war, or whether there's a clear shift to having a negative opinion on the war. The media often dominates its war coverage with mostly bad and negative news, so I am guessing this is a major contributor to the trend.
Either way, it is very clear that the Iraq issue is still a very relevant question for many Americans. It will have a massive impact on future developments - from the 2008 election, through to what may possibly happen with the United States relations with Iran and other Middle Eastern nations.
As for my opinion: it doesn't matter whether I think we should have gone into Iraq or not. We are there now, and we must see it through. I have a wide range of opinions on the aspect of "seeing it through", but that is neither here nor there. I have questions for the powers that be that made the decision to go into Iraq, but my heart and soul go into my support for all of our troops over there (and elsewhere abroad too) - despite their own thoughts and opinions, they stood up unquestioningly to fulfill their duty. To all our servicemen and servicewomen out there, I salute you. Much respect to you all and my prayers are with you all for a safe return and a happy reunion with your friends and family.
Personally, I have my own opinions about the Iraq issue, but I will try to keep them out of the majority of the article, at least until its conclusion. The war has seen its share of ups and downs - from the questionable intelligence provided before the war, to the capture of Saddam, to the sad news of our troops being harmed and dying on the front, right through to the good and personal news of our troops helping out the citizens of Iraq.
1. Saddam Hussein - DEAD
5. Saddam and cousin discussed killing thousands with chemical weapons: tapes
8. The "Miracle of the Mesopotamian Marshes"
1. 19 Year Old Visits Boyfriend's Grave
4. Iraq War Coalition Fatalities - I just don't know what to say
7. Iraq War Increased Support for Al-Qaeda, Pentagon admits
10. Youth turnout in election biggest in 20 years... Giving Boost to Democrats
Either way, it is very clear that the Iraq issue is still a very relevant question for many Americans. It will have a massive impact on future developments - from the 
