Oh dear, this
quote:
Iraq has clear connections with Al-Qaeda.
is just not true, Bugs, unless one is speaking in generalities. Al-Qaeda is against regimes like Baghdad, that is well known, and documented. However, that Iraq should have clear ties with Al-Qaeda, is not documented...in fact, the evidence is virtually non-existent. There are cells of Al-Qaeda active in Iraq, that we do know, but not for the purpose of joining forces, but to topple the regime. But this is seemingly ignored in the article, or at least the truth is being distorted.
As for what I call you? That's easy...I call you Bugs, of course! Though I suspect, were I to step on you, then that would have to be changed to Beetlejuice! 
But seriously, how would you label yourself? I don't consider myself a progressive...I consider myself a liberal republican...if there is any such animal, then that's me. I support our military, see a need to remove such tyrants as Saddam, it's just that I'm not interested in ruling the world...and I don't support it, either. And I am against the Bush administration, because of that, and because it has attempted to destroy that which took 50 years for us to create - the international community. The Bush administration has also run roughshod over our allies, and basically have made a sham of this whole thing. This is not honorable, nor can such an endeavor be build on such a faulty foundation. Also, where are the WMD? Where are they? Mr. Bush said, on video, before the nation, and the UN, that Saddam has them, so Mr. Bush had better produce them...otherwise, our credibility is shot. Also, it would seem that even if they are found, that they will not be in a form that was readily usable...otherwise, they would have been used. This is proof that the UN inspections did work (for disarmament). Mr. Bush is going to have a really hard time wriggling his way out of this one, if no WMD are found...even Rumsfeld in a press conference had enormous difficulties with this question...and pretty much avoided answering, other than his standard 'We don't know'...well, he seemed to know before...now he doesn't. Aha.
To the Iraqis themselves - yes, some of them do seem to be pleased...but then, some don't. In fact, it is really hard to say, at this point, what the general concensus of the populance feels. Time will tell, in this regards. However, they were not all screaming and cheering like the french were under the Nazis, when we freed them...
I'm also sick and tired of hearing Saddam compared with Hitler...this is just not true, nor is it factual. Not only are they two different people (obviously), but they also came to power much differently. Also, their methods and ideology differ greatly. I don't recall Saddam writing a book. I would call him what he is - a savage dictator. Nothing more, nothing less...history is full with such...but not full with Hitlers. The world is not accepting the label of Hitler on Saddam - so I suspect that this is a 'smoke-screen' designed to help 'smooth-over' the lacking reasons for the conflict.
I already mentioned that Saddams going is a good thing - but not for the reasons that the Bush administration would like us to believe. I truly feel, and believe, that the Bush Administration has severely damaged relations on a global scale, due to his diplomatic and political ineptitude.
An analogy is having 4 aces in a poker hand, and folding. He had all the cards after 9/11...and has misplayed them badly. Well, we will see what happens from this point on.
You say that you would voice disapproval if a democratic system is not set up in Iraq...well, we will see. In what time-frame, do you see this happening? I am curious, as to how long you are willing to wait, to make this decision. 5 years? 10? Or do you think it should be done quicker?
I would say, that we are now at the most dangerous stage of the operation, because most of what is coming, is unknown. We are not sure of how the Iraqis will react, after the initial stage of Saddamism wears off. Or whether or not they are really capable of and want a democratic system. And will it hold? What about the Kurds to the North? How does one get the multiple cultures in Iraq to deal with one another civily? I'm very curious, to see how this shapes up, myself.
Aha! This is very interesting...
quote:
The Badr Brigade, with several thousand fighters, is the military wing of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, part of the Iraqi opposition. Its fighters have long lived in exile in Iran, where they have received training and support. It now has a military force in northern Iraq.
The group has spoken against American military intervention and potential occupation in Iraq, and said it would pursue its own military agenda, independent of Pentagon ambitions.
--The New York Times
Full article here
Well, that is something different. Not only do we have a potential problem with out-of-control Kurds (and the possibility of Turkeys intervention), but Iran is now in Iraq...although 'covertly', so to speak. What better way to get something going against Iran...just about any type of terrorist activity could be blamed on them...which would be a great way to justify an attack on Iran.
Looks like the North is just a nest of vipers, waiting to explode...it's going to be fine-going in the next days up there...just hope our troops don't get caught up in any trouble up there.
[This message has been edited by WebShaman (edited 04-10-2003).]
posted 04-10-2003 10:55
