The US, UN & Iraq II

Gelisgesti, Syria has more reason to be nervous than does Iran.

I really don't think that was the point gel was making...

I know, snood. That was the point I was making.

On TV right now: A banner proclaiming "Human Shields Go Home" being displayed by Baghdadis. There are reports that a group of "Human Shields", fearful for their safety, are "demanding" US troops protect them from the mob.

Perception wrote:
To attack you must vanquish
To defend you must merely survive

Perception added

To survive with DIGNITY you must be free
To be FREE you must sometimes vanquish

To survive without freedom and dignity is to merely exist
To merely exist is not one of my options

The glibness and cynicism of the participants criticizing the words above is what I find truly frightening but I don't find it surprising considering it comes from people who were born in freedon and who have always allowed other peoples sons and daughters to do the dirty work of maintaining their freedom.

An irate Iraqi was yelling at a numbskull human shield woman.

Think the Human Shield brigade has shown who they were protecting, and best catch the next plane outta Dodge.

The truth does come out. Ain't it grand!

I've heard several of the war's supporters suggest that the opponents put themselves in the position of those living under a dictator. I would ask how many of them would sacrifice the lives of their own children to escape a dictator? I know I wouldn't.

OK - I don't have a TV here (errrrrrrmmmm .... i'm supposed to be working ...... but i'm having, ahem, an off-day today .... les'just say to make up for previous overtime .... <coughs>) - so I didnt know. Fair enough.



Sofia, your elation is infectious :-D.

And sure, why not. Lets celebrate the relief of the Iraqis today. We can come back to the issues of what next (or rather, "who next"), of ruptured international law and booming distrust in the world, of the troubling implications of what seems like a Bush Jr doctrine in foreign policy thats here to stay, of still-lacking WMD and Al-Qaeda links, of US military governors ruling Iraq - there'll be lots and lots of time to discuss all that -

let's celebrate - if it is indeed the day of liberation for Baghdad today - all the Iraqi families that will see parents and children return from prison and camps. All the relief of Iraqis not having to be afraid anymore that what they say to whom can end them in such prisons and camps! The opening of torture cellars and who knows, of secret services offices. No more state terrorism! That would deserve a few heady days of elation, before worries should sink in again

That other folks are willing to make that sacrifice permits others to decline it, Wilso.

Now now ...... GWB is on Iraq Ave, he needs to roll a 13 and pay 70 billion to take Syria ..... you can't roll a 13 and he would have to hit the ss fund for the 70 bill.

Your roll GWB..... WHAT!!!!! A '13'???

Hey...... let me see those dice

Very good, Geli

In our excitement and elation, we should bear in mind the situation remains less settled in Northern Iraq ... It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings. She does seem to be doing a bit of deep breathing, though.

There are reports that a group of "Human Shields", fearful for their safety, are "demanding" US troops protect them from the mob.

This is the sort of behavior I find despicable---but oh yes we will protect them so they can go back home and protest against the people who protected them.

Thank you for understanding, nimh!

I'm sort of a nut for freedom. Years ago, I stood in front of the TV, with tears streaming down my face, yelling support for the student, who stood in front of the tank in Tianneman Square. My kids got a lesson in freedom that day they've still not forgotten. (Boy, was I pissed about continued Favored Nation Status.)

I know the world is not Utopia, and problems have arisen due to this action--but Utopia is in the streets of Iraq for this moment in time. Don't know what the next day, or next hour will bring.

Iraqis are bludgeoning big Saddam statue in Baghdad...

Nimh wrote:

And sure, why not. Lets celebrate the relief of the Iraqis today. We can come back to the issues of what next (or rather, "who next"), of ruptured international law and booming distrust in the world, of the troubling implications of what seems like a Bush Jr doctrine in foreign policy thats here to stay, of still-lacking WMD and Al-Qaeda links, of US military governors ruling Iraq - there'll be lots and lots of time to discuss all that -

Just a little reminder that today's euphoria is only a brief respite from the relentless hammering of the critics.

A source belonging to what MSNBC is calling the Iraqi Republican Party claims that Saddam Hussein and his son Odai are seriously injured, and that Qusai Hussein has been killed. The same source said the president and his surviving son were in Mosul, seeking a path to Syria. Other wire services, citing other sources, are circulating similar conjecture. This still Rumor Mill stuff.

Haven't got TV so have missed much of the drama! But it's as well to keep an eye on the rest of the news, too:

Rotten luck perc ..... try switching to a royal coachman or maybe a cadizflyand try twitching your rod tip a bit ....
;o))

He should have taken that all-expense paid, left turn at Albequerque months ago.

...and he plans to go north, through Kurdish territory...?

If this is correct, it seems the Kurds will have their ultimate revenge...

Utopia is in the streets of Iraq for this moment in time

'Till they realise their freedom came with a prize. years of American Colonisation. The man the US wants for president in Iraq (Chalabi) is a crook and white-Collar criminal. The war may be over soon. This conflict isn't.

And what's next for our beloved liberator Mr Bush? Congo? Palestinia? Kuwait? Saudi-Arabia? Over the last years over 3 million people died in Congo due to Tribal and civil war. Seems like a unique opportunity to bring peace and democracy there.

Plenty of time to display some of the nuances of fly fishing----right now I'm interested in landing some bottom feeders.

What are the Iraqis celebrating? (This isn't an idle question!!)