Where’s the Outrage over Iraq?

"Is Iraq a threat to the United States? Only time will tell. But in the mean time, there must be an intelligent conversation over the possibility of war with Iraq. We must weigh the possible consequences of military action and inaction, respectively. And we must recognize that diplomacy and economic sanctions may yet provide a solution. But what we do not need are more idiots waving banners, or the trite rehashing of the same simplistic condemnations. Because if anything is clear about the mess in Iraq, it is this: it cannot be reduced to an anti-American slogan."

Preinfixed
Joined: 19 Feb 2003
Posts: 9
Location: good old fashioned stupid american.

I will take your description of yourself at your word and simply point out that the United States and a it "allies' have been at war with Iraq for nearly two weeks now

prein, First of all, you have it all wrong; it's absolutely American to protest as peace-loving Americans. To call it unAmerican is not to understand the freedoms we enjoy in this country. It's unAmerican not to protest a war we see as an aggression against another country without justifyable cause. That they produce WMD is not justifyable. That they present a potential danger is not a justifyable cause. That they have oil is not a justifyable cause. That we hate Saddam is not a justifyable cause. What else is there? Did I miss something? You do not force other countries to our system of democracy by force, and by killing innocent citizens of another country. They have done nothing to us. Bush calls Saddam a "brutal regime." I wonder who is the "brutal regime?" c.i.

Pre

Get over it!

People can despise this war -- and still be good Americans.

People can protest this war -- and still think Saddam Hussein is a scumbagh.

Goddam near every war protester I know thinks Saddam Hussein is a piece of schidt -- and that he should be taken out.

But doing it this way is idiotic.

Your whole intro is nonsense.

I don't buy your crap about "not being for it and not being against it" at all.

You are for it -- and you think that people who are not for it deserve scorn.

Wake up. Be real when you post.

being a hawk myself i can readily agree with Saddam, he has got it down pretty good, never allows dissent, keeps the money where it belongs in his and his friends pockets, spends the cash on more military, demands instant and total patriotism, controls the oppositon, keeps control in the family, plays other nations against each other, violates international law at will, manufactures weapons of mass destruction. Sure he has made a few mistakes but he was a C student so you can't expect perfection. He just kinda forgot we all live in an international community that does not take kindly to rogue despots. But, hell, you cant win them all.

How many countries are the US a threat to?

With this president, all, except the UK and Spain - for the moment. ;( c.i.

preinfixed<

Welcome to A2k.

I am happy to tell you that Susan Sarandon's ad and your essay here about Iraq are both as American as apple pie.

That's because they're both protected by the First Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression to all[/b] Americans

It's difficult for some people to understand that anti-war dissent is just as patriotic as pro-war fervor. It is wonderful that in our society, these dichotomies can co-exist.

congratulations on articulating the obvious.

Preinfixed - I think, in this case, you are setting up a number of false dichotomies - the one about people who oppose the war necessarily not being rational about the realities of Hussein has, I think, already been dealt with - although I accept your point that some protesters are as naive and simplistically black and white as you describe us, many are not.

The next false dichotomy I believe you set up is between doing nothing re Hussein, and going to war.

I believe that he was, albeit with difficulty, being contained in relation to his possible aggression towards neighbours and WOMDs. I do not see that an adequate case has been made re his contributing to terrorism any more than regimes which the US supports, such as the Saudis.

The war has, I think, greatly damaged the fabric of post Cold War international relations and codes of behaviour and is likely to reverberate damagingly for many years to come. Was it worth it?

IF a stable and benign towards its people regime can be set up in post-war Iraq that will be a good - does this - even if it occurs - outweigh the harm that has been done?

I can't believe that anyone would be naive enough to believe that people who have seen friends, relatives and children blown to pieces are going to welcome the coalition forces with open arms. There's no force on earth that can stop this military juggernaut, but as I have said before, that while the bombing may eventually stop, this war will continue for generations.

preinfixed<

Your congratulations re: my recent post to this thread are very much appreciated. May you have a long and happy stay at Y2k.

Peace.