12-17-2002, 02:02 AM
War has been looming for a long time now. Threats have been made. But what justification has really been given? What proof has been offered? After all, if you’re going to spend billions of dollars worth of materials during a bad economy and priceless human lives, shouldn’t you know why?
So, let’s look at what we do know. First, let’s look at Saddam Hussein himself. He is, without a doubt, a bloody dictator. He rules by fear, intimidation, and mass murder. I’ve seen video taken at a meeting. Saddam was on the stage and the place was surrounded by his soldiers. One by one, he began accusing members of the audience, his “government” of plotting treason. Each person named was taken outside and killed while he smiled and smoked a cigar. After he judged the remaining audience had been terrorized enough, he announced that the remaining traitors were forgiven. Why? So they would go out and proclaim Saddam’s “great mercy”. This is a man without conscience who only cares about grabbing as much power and influence as possible. The suffering of his people means nothing to him.
But, so what? There have been dozens of dictators just as bad if not worse. Yet, the U.S., and indeed the world, did nothing. Pol Pot, Idi Amin, and many others were left to do whatever they wanted within their own borders.
Next, we have the accusations that Iraq is supporting Al Queda and other terrorist activity. But, no proof has been given. Not only that, but the same accusations can be made about other countries, including Saudi Arabia, the home of several of the 9/11 terrorists. Which brings up the question, why aren’t we going after these other nations and groups? Why don’t we have more troops in the Philippines where there is a group known to work with and train with Al Queda?
Finally, there is the accusation that Iraq is producing weapons of mass destruction. This is the most serious accusation and the reason given most often. So, now we wait for the results of the UN Weapons Inspection. So far, they’ve visited over 80 sites while being followed around by the media, and no “smoking gun” has been announced by the media.
So, what’s going on? My guess is that the intelligence agencies of the U.S. and the U.K. have both uncovered convincing information, but this information can not be revealed to the public without jeopardizing the sources of that information. Is the threat against Isreal? Is it a threat of selling the weapons to Al Queda? Maybe we’ll never find out. But, we can keep asking.
What do you think?
So, let’s look at what we do know. First, let’s look at Saddam Hussein himself. He is, without a doubt, a bloody dictator. He rules by fear, intimidation, and mass murder. I’ve seen video taken at a meeting. Saddam was on the stage and the place was surrounded by his soldiers. One by one, he began accusing members of the audience, his “government” of plotting treason. Each person named was taken outside and killed while he smiled and smoked a cigar. After he judged the remaining audience had been terrorized enough, he announced that the remaining traitors were forgiven. Why? So they would go out and proclaim Saddam’s “great mercy”. This is a man without conscience who only cares about grabbing as much power and influence as possible. The suffering of his people means nothing to him.
But, so what? There have been dozens of dictators just as bad if not worse. Yet, the U.S., and indeed the world, did nothing. Pol Pot, Idi Amin, and many others were left to do whatever they wanted within their own borders.
Next, we have the accusations that Iraq is supporting Al Queda and other terrorist activity. But, no proof has been given. Not only that, but the same accusations can be made about other countries, including Saudi Arabia, the home of several of the 9/11 terrorists. Which brings up the question, why aren’t we going after these other nations and groups? Why don’t we have more troops in the Philippines where there is a group known to work with and train with Al Queda?
Finally, there is the accusation that Iraq is producing weapons of mass destruction. This is the most serious accusation and the reason given most often. So, now we wait for the results of the UN Weapons Inspection. So far, they’ve visited over 80 sites while being followed around by the media, and no “smoking gun” has been announced by the media.
So, what’s going on? My guess is that the intelligence agencies of the U.S. and the U.K. have both uncovered convincing information, but this information can not be revealed to the public without jeopardizing the sources of that information. Is the threat against Isreal? Is it a threat of selling the weapons to Al Queda? Maybe we’ll never find out. But, we can keep asking.
What do you think?