Go back 33 years and look at the pretexts given for the war in Indochina. See how hollow they look today? In far less than 33 years, the pretexts for the war in Iraq, which now appears to have ended, will be revealed as being equally hollow, shortsighted and mendacious. This was explicitly described as being a preventive or pre-emptive… return to article
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Reader Comments (64)Page 1 of 1 pagesYeah, it makes total sense to me. We invaded for evil. I hate my country.
Posted by Richard Taggart on Apr 28, 2003 at 8:28 PM Absolutely. Hail Bush! Obvious aim. Wicked people in charge.
Posted by Ane Hanley on Apr 29, 2003 at 11:26 AM as always, prof khalidi is great. wish and hope, his article will have a wide readership.
Posted by rupa shah on Apr 29, 2003 at 1:38 PM Absolutely disgusting what the US has done. They did it in Panama, and now Iraq. People ask why 9/11 occured and shed their tears for them at the time (i admit, i was saddened by 9/11) but by this horrific display and the disgusting foreign policy that Americans keep practising, you almost want to say that 9/11 wasn’t enough. I am against terrorism in all its forms, but when a gov’t is so barefaced in its terror of innocent civilians it sickens those who want peace to the pit of our stomachs! Who are the real terrorists? They are fighting a war against people who are not allowed to bare arms and are forced to take their own lives so that the word will get across. When will the Americans and Israels finally see that no amount of land or oil is worth killing innocent people for. What is even more disturbing is how the media only presents those Americans who have bought into this war. I truly believe most Americans are against it. It will be interesting to see how US elections will turn out next time around...unless of course G.W. Bush appoints himself once again!
Posted by Moe on Apr 29, 2003 at 2:12 PM I agree with the underlying intent of this article. An intent which can be most succinctly expressed as a need for regime change in the United States, with no pun or sarcism intended. I can see how this article would appeal to and seem completely rational to many like many minded persons. Unfortunately, relative to its purpose the article is addressed to the wrong people. To succeed we must change the thinking of a few million people and I believe such choices of words and phrases have the opposite effect for all too many of them. The facts should be carefully separated from opinion and used in a language those people can emotionally relate to.
Posted by Ed George on Apr 29, 2003 at 4:12 PM We used the same rationale for the killing of innocents in the Philippines 100 years ago following the Spanish American War.
In that case, it was the fierce tribesmen, attacking unsuspecting U.S Army soldiers.
It was cololonialism then and it is the same today. Especially intersting, since in both cases, it was Moslems doing the attacking!
Posted by Bob Raisor on Apr 29, 2003 at 5:39 PM Great article- and I already agree. What’s it going to take to break outside our circle and begin to speak to the world? I know that flow is against that right now, but I suspect that, as a movement, we’re not seeing something. I suggest that we take on this question like it matters. Once we learn to speak into the popular listening, then we can begin to be effective in eliciting the change that we know is necessary.
Posted by Bernie on Apr 29, 2003 at 6:17 PM WMD are not new the first ones were used against my people. When the white man’s government gave my people small pox infected blankets to keep warm: so we thought? Instead of warmth we got cold death, destruction and hate! We were also the first people to feel the cold steel of regime change. The white man lied to us for our land and tried to exterminate us. Look at the pictures in D. Browns’ book “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”. You tell me who was indeed the savage? Welcome back to the 18th. century.
Posted by Chief Joseph on Apr 29, 2003 at 8:11 PM Excellent essay. I agreed with everything he said even before I read it. Bush is an evil one and all that god crap he keeps dishing up in all his speeches does not fly with me. The man should be impeached.
Posted by Nancy Ellen Smith on Apr 30, 2003 at 5:47 AM I have read all the comments, and everyone sufficiently agrees that this was a cynical war fought for political cover and money.
Now we need to translate our understanding into political action. We need to get involved in the Democratic Party, remake it into a party of justice, civil liberties, and gentle foreign policy. We need to nominate an honest, forthright candidate like Dennis Kucinich and beat George Bush in 2004.
And you Greens out there, come back into the Democratic Party and help us progressives make our party into what it should be--please! This may be our last chance to take Bush and the fascists out.
Posted by Charles M. Ashley on Apr 30, 2003 at 8:55 AM So, where’s the democracy of Iraq? Wouldn’t they be free after Saddam’s fall? We who knew the true face of the U.S, also knew that it would be like this. The time for PNAC is near, may it end before it starts.
Posted by Rezirer on Apr 30, 2003 at 9:09 AM These type of stories are very helpful in understanding current and future events
Posted by wallace nixon on Apr 30, 2003 at 9:55 AM The Tonkin Gulf,Vietnam, Diem, the Christmas Bombing, Allende, Watergate, Iran/Contra, Pharma plants in Sudan, and now Iraq’s WMD. It’s sold to us repeatedly using the technique of used car salesmen. Yet we continue to buy into obvious fabrication, and people die as a result.
Posted by frank driscoll on Apr 30, 2003 at 11:17 AM I concur with everything, however the prof. is preaching to the choir. We need to disseminate this info.
Posted by a. duncan on Apr 30, 2003 at 1:26 PM Absolutely correct. What this country did is wrong and my belief is that the basic good of this country will soon overcome the “peeing-in-our-pants” paranoia that came with 9/11
to oust the neoconservatives running the Bush Admin. FOX news and the other media pimps will go down with them. The biggest losers will be the Zionists, who in their zeal to annihilate all opposition to Israel have overplayed their hand with this “clash of coulture” ploy and will unite the whole world (including all intelligent Americans) against Israel’s cruel occupation of Palestine.
Posted by Richard Vajs on Apr 30, 2003 at 2:08 PM professor rashid khalidi has presented probably the most articulate, potent, laser-sharp repudiation of president bush’s preemptive and preventive war doctrine.
any rational and prudent thinker can safely conclude that the pentagon’s war against iraq had no basis, in international law; moreover, the alleged pretext was really a warrant for economic and hegemonic exploitation, as Dr. Khalidi explains.
but, what is truly paradoxical and amazing in the us military adventure is the pentagon’s abject failure to assess and recognize the power and influence of iraqi shi`as in determining the political stability in iraq.
finally, whatever vassal government the conquering generals approve, must, by definition, come to terms with the religious clergy ... or will doom itself to eventual failure for such indifference.
Posted by mohamad kazim yusuff al mahdi al naqashabandi on Apr 30, 2003 at 2:55 PM We as Black people said this all the time what is new in the USA?
Posted by Barb on Apr 30, 2003 at 3:14 PM You’ve nailed Fox, CNN, and NSNBC--that mawkish axis of euphemisms & jingoisms. It’s enough to make a person ashamed of the human race.
Posted by Mary Jane Smith on Apr 30, 2003 at 3:21 PM Great article, well written, I just wish mainstream America was more attuned to the real politics that are being played out by the Bush regime. It seems only a handful of Americans realize what is really going on in the world today.
Posted by Dean on Apr 30, 2003 at 5:18 PM We must prove thru the next elections that there are more than 20% of the population against this administrations lust for world control
Posted by Bob Schuler on Apr 30, 2003 at 11:23 PM I’ve been reading other posts and most people who read this website are like me: part of the choir. I have tried to tell logical, educationed intelligent people that the WMD line was horsecrap. They actually believed I was brainwashed to believe reports that Iraq had destroyed them after the First Gulf War. Now that no weapons have been found and the Administration has admitted that it “overemphasized” the Iraqi threat, do you see the people in this country angry about being lied to? NO! and you won’t. Most Americans do not care if other people die, as long as they do so quietly and out of sight.
I know that may sound harsh, but for intelligent, literate people to refuse to go beyond the surface of this war and look at the underlying causes, means they just don’t care. They don’t care if their government lied to them. Just keep gas prices down and keep the phantom terrorists off our backs.
When I look at people driving Hummers draped in American flags and all I can see is starving Iraqi children, whose futures has been forfeited so we can live in luxury.
The only reason why he’s “preaching to the choir” is because the choir are the only people in the church.
Posted by FeLicia Elam on May 1, 2003 at 10:23 AM C.M. Ashley,
You are right in every aspect of the case you make. However there is a problem: who do WE support? Dean, Kerry or Kucinich or someone else? The Party we want to be is not the Party that is? I am willing to put money and hard work not only to defeat shrub but to remake our Party into a Party of all the Peeople. I would like a Party that not only listens to the People but ACTS for the People, considers no person’s ideas wrong or stupid treats women as TRUE equals and with no bias. Provides for the elderly, the very young, the young, the sick, the homeless and anyone else who needs help. Am I not my Brothers’ keeper?
Posted by Chief Joseph on May 1, 2003 at 11:34 AM Will Bush, Blair & Howard clearly understood what they have done? My view is they do not. With the excuse of holding the bible (or quran,torah by like leaders including Sadam & Sharon etc) in their hand, a belief that what they did is sanctioned by the so called ‘good vs evil mantra, they will not feel any remorse. The death of the innocence is justifiable as long as they can win the battle or war. We, the citizen of this planet have witnessed many wars being waged for flimsy reasons in this past 2 centuaries alone - and we still haven’t learnt a thing. Heaven help us!
Posted by Peter Battle on May 2, 2003 at 5:33 AM What an awesome essay by Prof Khalidi. It sums up all that I know to be true about the people (or should I more accurately say, criminals) that have taken over our country. It’s good to see that others are out there that can see what is happening because talking to everyday people here in this city, and even to some of my unmet Internet friends, have led me to conclude that the US is becoming comprised of a people called “dumb and dumber.” I’m about to cancel my subscription to the local newspaper because it betrays its name and has, instead, become a propagandapaper. The Internet seems to be the only place where I can find some truth and my biggest concern is that it too will soon become “regulated” and truth tellers like this site and FTW and even the sometimes moderate Common Dreams site will no longer be available to those who understand what is really going on.
Posted by Al C. on May 2, 2003 at 10:25 AM This is the BEST essay I have read on the Iraq war to date.
George Bush has managed to screw the entire planet!
My husband thinks he’s the Anti-Christ. And he is right. Christianity is about compassion, tolerance, patience, generousity and forgiveness. Bush is about fear, hatred, revenge, greed and violence. I guess he should go back and read the scripture he so readily quotes.
Posted by Dolores Ryser on May 2, 2003 at 10:59 AM A good and well-argued piece. There is no doubt that this has been an illegal and immoral invasion, not even a war since it was so one-sided. I guess the continued Arab-Muslim humiliation may bounce back through a pervasive anger. But, introversion and aggression offer no solution either. They must stay engaged with global/Western peace groups who need to be strengthened. These people are the equal victims of this Bush+Blair unilateralism and the worry is that Muslims may further dangerously internalise this angst.
Posted by Dr. Iftikhar H. Malik on May 2, 2003 at 11:54 AM To add: After watching Bush’s photo-op landing on the Lincoln aircraft carrier and then later (I can barely stand to listen to him telling more lies) reading some of the text of his “speech”, I see that Prof. Khalidi hit the nail on the head in the conclusion of his essay stating that we should “heed… and oppose the senseless march toward empire, which this war, and thte next war, are meant to lead us on.” Bush left little doubt of his intentions when he called the Iraq conquest: “One victory in a war...” The implication is clearly there that our family members in the military shall be used as mafia like “henchmen” to conquer more turf for the capos. It is a sad time in America where our country has quickly gone from the beloved world leader of democracy to the aggressive facist, bully state that is feared and loathed throughout the world. Only here in America are the majority blinded to what we have become. A sad time indeed.
Posted by Al C. on May 2, 2003 at 2:39 PM “I agreed with everything he said even before I read it. “
Therein lies the problem with many who agree with the tenor and tone of articles such as these. You can agree with it before you read it because there is nothing but tenor and tone. No statements of fact. No comprehension of global or national politics. No citation of authority in support of its claims. No sense of reality whatsoever.
Posted by Nus on May 2, 2003 at 2:42 PM “George Bush has managed to screw the entire planet! “
Can this statement be explained?
Posted by Nus on May 2, 2003 at 2:44 PM “everyone sufficiently agrees that this was a cynical war fought for political cover and money”
Political cover of what? Money from what? Please don’t say “oil” without explaining how and why the nation with the cheapest oil in the world, the nation that could increase oil imports from Iraq at will without having expended $100B first, the nation that has allegedly now raised the ire of OPEC, will make money from Iraq’s “oil”.
Posted by Nus on May 2, 2003 at 2:51 PM Nus-
It’s not about “taking” Iraq’s oil or making money off it, it’s about the ability to keep the price low and insure it’s undisrupted flow in order to maintain our standard of living. Obviously you are unfamilar with the papers and thoughts disseminated by the neo-con hawks for the past decade declaring control of natural resources should be a pre-eminent goal of our foreign policy. When such thinking was first advanced by Wolfowitz in 1991, Bush I and his administration were quick to distance themselves from such ‘radical’ ideas. Now it is our foreign policy.
The world has consumed about 1/2 of the known current oil reserves. Over the last 4 successive decades, oil discoveries have declined over each and there is little hope in any major new find. At the current rates of consumption all of the worlds oil will be gone in 40-50 years. While we may be the best customers oil supliers have, we certainly aren’t in a position to boycott oil. Spending the money to to control oil rich states will seem like a drop in the bucket years from now as worldwide demand surges, and prices push higher (no thanks to our Fed and their re-flation attempts) as there is less and less of this commodity available. There is no doubt the neo cons see this as a threat to our way of life and have decided to take ‘pre-emptive’ action.
We all of course know the solution, less dependence on oil. We all know that is not in the cards with this administration and can only hope they aren’t given four more years to practice policies which entrench us further in the Middle East with no way out rather than developing a plan for using renewable sources of energy. The thirst for oil is the bane of our existence and la ong term strategy to eliminate this thirst would benefit us and of course the planet (And if you believe that Bush’s hydrogen initiative is one, you best read the fine print). Unfortunately the short sightedness of this administration in all areas leaves us another day, week, month, year, behind in finding real solutions to destructive long term problems.
Posted by mcp on May 2, 2003 at 5:22 PM Watching this pre-emptive war from Canada, I was horrified by the wreckage done in Iraq but also deeply troubled by what is happening to the American ideals of liberty and justice. American free speech is currently being replaced by propaganda the likes of Mussolini and Goebbels would have approved of. Having lived in your country for many years, I instantly knew how deep an impact 9-11 would have on the American psyche and my worst fears are coming true. As many world citizens today, I now fear your governmental imperial policies and how it is using the emotional impact of 9-11 on its citizens more than I do terrorists groups like Al-Quaeda. Mobilizing your progressive community for the 2004 elections will be of upmost importance not only in order to preserve your constitution but also to restore the tarnished image the US is now projecting around the world.
Posted by MichËle GagnÈ on May 2, 2003 at 7:02 PM American People are sheep. Stupid little sheep, they’ll buy anything fed to them by the “idiot box”. I am ashamed of us all. But then again America was formed by genocide against my Ancestors. Why should we expect anything less? Fuck Bush and all his cronies.
Posted by matt on May 3, 2003 at 12:29 AM Oh, by the way.....Nus.....you are a moron. The Elders always taught my People to think before they speak,...obviosly you have not been taught this little lesson. Do your homework before you speak next time.
Posted by matt on May 3, 2003 at 12:37 AM Matt, oh matt, It is just “that attitude” which got us to where we are? Plato advised: “that the least informed person in a debate would ALWAYS become rude first.” I wonder what that means?
Posted by Chief Joseph on May 3, 2003 at 12:56 PM the ideas prof. khalidi are valid and deserve contemplation. i would tend to agree with everything he says, but i agree with Ed George’s point even more so. if you realize how scary this stuff is, you realize, essentially, we need a regime change at home...the best way we can positively contribute to change is spread the word to those that are sucked into taking the views of mass media. we need to choose ways that spread the real news that are effective. this means straightforward, nonbiased statements of the facts and real progress can be made.
Posted by pat on May 4, 2003 at 7:39 AM October 5, 1877
Chief Joseph:
“Hear me my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. So long as the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.”Regardless of your political ideas, anyone who does not know the history of Chief Joseph, I beg of you to learn about him. He was a true hero for his people.
Whoever posted here as Chief Joseph, thanks for reminding me about great Western history…
Posted by Milli Vanilli on May 4, 2003 at 8:39 AM Chief,
Your qoute about being rude may be true, but not necessarily in all cases,and Matt, in this case was quite correct in calling nus a moron.
I like your other postings.
Posted by Mark on May 4, 2003 at 10:53 PM Go ahead, sqawk all you want. The reason why Shrub doesn’t care about all this internet bitching is because the next election will be using computer voting, with NO PAPER TRAILS. Shrub will get in one more time with his foul machines, and by the time we wake up, he will ruin the world in four more years, and the Earth will be reshaped into a place where the rich lord over the poor...forever. Enjoy the internet while you can.
Posted by David Martin on May 5, 2003 at 12:38 AM I hate our country so much. Who are we to live in a fantasy of owning 2 or 3 cars per household, driving around for every little thing, driving through a multitude of fast-food “drive-thrus” lumbering around in our powerful SUVs, waiting in line and running air conditioners with “his,” her,” and the “kid’s” settings, with built-in VCRs and video games and multiple CD-changers? In Italy, people still use little 3-wheeled trucks with no more power than a mid-sized motorbike. The United States of America is going to be the cause of the destruction of the human species. I want to vomit on the American flag.
Posted by Samantha Roberts on May 5, 2003 at 1:04 AM “Nus.....you are a moron. The Elders always taught my People to think before they speak,...obviosly you have not been taught this little lesson. Do your homework before you speak next time”
“quite correct in calling nus a moron”
Because I asked a couple of questions? Questions which appear to be beyond the abilities of anyone here to answer.
If you look at the one response, you will find there is no answer at all to my specific question.
“it’s about the ability to keep the price low and insure it’s undisrupted flow” Which is the current state of affairs. Again, how does eliminating a sure way to gain additional low priced oil (purchase of greater quatities from Hussein’s Iraq), antagonizing middle eastern suppliers and interrupting the flow of oil from Iraq accomplish what you say it is about?
If I am a moron, what does that say about those who can’t comprehend or simply have no answers for my basic questions?
Posted by Nus on May 5, 2003 at 11:29 AM It is moronic to bleat slogans in unison and to mistake obscene castigation as discourse.
It is intelligent to question unsupported allegations.
These are distinctions one should learn, and once they are learned, one should practice staying on the non-moronic side.
Posted by Nus on May 5, 2003 at 11:34 AM Quoth Khalidi: “Evidence from a variety of sources shows that Iraq had no nuclear or biological weapons (though it had programs to develop them before the 1991 war).” Does anyone know what these sources are? I’ve been in a number of arguments lately about WMD programs in Iraq, and I’d like to be able to refer people as needed. Thanks.
Posted by Rachel on May 5, 2003 at 9:33 PM you know, o wise man from PA, if any of the explanations you so desperately want from everyone were that easy to come by and comprehend, then threre wouldn’t be any confusion as to what in the world is going on… nobody is going to give you the truth because that is locked away with dick at the “undisclosed location"… you have to try to figure it out on your own, you condescending asshole.
Posted by james on May 6, 2003 at 3:42 PM Right on, James from Cincinnati! These fools who want some sort or corroborative documentation never ask it of the mainstream media probably because they’re so spellbound and enamored of the slick glitz that anything that cannot afford to surround itself with the professional accoutrements of the Hollywood-ized presentations cannot, in their feeble, brainwashed and elitist fascist view be taken seriously. Actually, if these mainstream, corporate media toadys stopped bowing their obsequies to the glossed up lies presented to them along with commercial after commercial basically laughing with indifference to what’s being said before and after their sex-slicked pitches...perhaps they’d gain some capacity for critical thought. First, the mere fact that an ostensible democracy’s government merely turns their noses up at their employers, we the people, preferring to further stick it to us with impunity by hiding behind the false mantle of, “national security”, in itself should make the alarm bells ring in these vacuous minds. We the people own all this information they hide because we the people are the ones who must endure the ramifications of their policies and that in itself makes our right to know an imperative! If people like the guy from Philadelphia think it’s OK for an unelected president who was probably complicit in the 9/11 attacks and immediately used them as his raison d’etre for the ensuing, “endless wars against terrorism”, and the war on our civil liberties attendant to this...I have learned there’s nothing anyone can say to open such a person’s eyes. Only a personal, direct imposition or disaster he may be forced to suffer can open such eyes and ears. Maybe a son or daughter coming home in a body bag while Halliburton, Cheney, and the rest of the chicken hawks continue to amass lurid amounts of wealth at his expense might do it. Hopefully, he’ll come around before that happens and join the growing ranks of the FED UP. Imagine, a conservative president who thinks big government means dispensing with the idea of an equitable distribution of taxpayer money while forming massive new agencies and giving the military 50% of government revenue is somehow NOT BIG GOVERNENT. Explain that to me.
Posted by Dom on May 9, 2003 at 4:45 AM There will be no peace in the world until the 500 year rape of the world by the European is stopped!
Posted by John W.G. Banks III on May 11, 2003 at 12:31 PM You people are idiots. The UN was doing nothing to hold Saddam to the 12 year old truce. The biological weapons lab that was discovered in Iraq last week is proof. I can’t believe you assholes believe Saddam Hussein when he swears that he has no banned weapons then call Bush a liar when we go in to get them. All you pacifists have been proven wrong time and time again. First you said this would a hard war to win and that the Iraqi people wouldn’t welcome coalition troops. You were wrong on both counts. Secondly (and most idiotically), you took the word of France, Russia, Hans Blix, and Saddam Hussein over American intelligence reports. Well, Iraq did in fact have a biological weapons program so, once again, you were wrong. Get a life, you pathetic conspiracy theorists.
Posted by Tom on May 13, 2003 at 11:10 AM way to watch CNN, Tom, you stupid fuck...try thinking for yourself sometime instead of lobbing that pile of garbage that mass media gives you...take a little time and learn something out of the mainstream...oh yeah, did I mention you’re a stupid fuck?
Posted by roger on May 13, 2003 at 4:12 PM Oh, I apologize, Rog. I seem to have forgotten that conspiracy theorists dismiss any facts they don’t like as mainstream propaganda. The only reliable sources are ones, like In These Times, which are fair and unbiased. I’m sorry for my oversight. You are right Roger. Bush is the bad guy, not Saddam. The “victory” portrayed on TV never happened, the government knew of the Sept. 11 attacks ahead of time, and the CIA invented AIDS and crack cocaine to keep the blacks down.
Posted by Tom on May 13, 2003 at 10:10 PM It makes sense to me...Rashid Khalidi courageously challenges the Bush camp’s abuse of democracy...I love my country.
Posted by Ron on May 14, 2003 at 6:45 PM Tom! What biological weapons program have we found? Looked like a truck to me. You call that a program? Was it more of a threat to our national security than our current health care program?
And yeah, I’d say the mainstream media is a problem. There are fear-mongering corporate tool. 3000 deaths this year due to a terrorist attack motivated by our foreign policies. 42,000 deaths on the road due to auto crashes. Which do you think is a more news worthy, thought-provoking problem for us to figure out? Do you think the whole world would be angry if we took on our traffic problem which is a much bigger mortality issue?
Could the independant thinkers please present a condidate for the year 2004?
Posted by Cooke on May 15, 2003 at 4:30 AM Yes, Cooke, I hate to piss on your parade, but Saddam Hussein’s weapons program was more of a threat to our national security than our health care program. And if the mainstream media is fear-mongering, then what do you call In These Times? Just look at the grim predictions made in every article on this website and tell me who is fear-mongering.
Posted by Tom on May 15, 2003 at 9:40 AM Tom. So sorry, but the biological weapons lab you’re talking about had not a SINGLE TRACE of biological weapons in it. In fact, the media carefully did not mention how old the truck was, or the fact that they had to dig it up (casually mentioned and never again talked about).
Do you know that when such a lab is put out of commission it’s buried most of the time?
I don’t know about you, but this isn’t the first time we’ve found ‘evidence’ of WMD and had to change our tune in a few days. My advice is wait a while before you crow about finding WMD.
So far, all you’ve been doing is eating crow.
Posted by Rhonda on May 16, 2003 at 9:12 AM Good history, not well known even by history majors like me. And good analysis of the destabilizing and fuitle drive toward empire that is likely to destroy us if not stopped.
Posted by Mary Ellen Marino on May 16, 2003 at 2:09 PM Its pointless arguing with brainwashed idiots who parrot everything that CNN and Fox tell them. To illustrate this I talked with an ‘average’ american lady in a chatroom just to test how her world view was coloured by the american media. First she was amazed that a coloured person such as myself did actually believe that saddam was a twat, but then when challenged with the fact that the US had provided weapons to Iraq and Donald Rumsfeld had travelled to Baghdad in 1983 to support them against Iran, she claimed that was a total lie. Rumsfeld had never actually been to Baghdad, no weapons had ever been sold. She also maintained that I must watch Al-Jazeera and I must have got my ‘lies’ from there, although I have no access to this channel. When I asked if she disliked it only because it was Arab, she said no because it was anti-american. Had she ever watched Al-jazeera personally? No actually she had heard really bad stuff about it on american networks. Thankfully some of you real americans are out there to battle with these dangerous views. You are the true great americans, people who fight for true justice for everybody.
Posted by Hugh Garse on May 17, 2003 at 12:10 PM Many rank and file members of US military
have made the same points. (See, e.g., popular military website sftt.org). The point has also been made that a de facto military-ruled country like Turkey used old fashioned democracy (Parliament) to block
an unpopular attack.Excellent article: email it to others.
Posted by Gerald P. Cunningham on May 17, 2003 at 3:05 PM No justice, no peace. So trite I can’t help feeling blase about it. No real evidence given about how US activities provoke fanatics into action, no cause and effect relationship is or can clearly be established. There is ample evidence, however, of the style of justice many if not most of Islamist governments prefer. Read for yourself:
http://www.memri.org/bin/opener_latest.cgi?ID=SD50403
The US is a convenient target and scapegoat, but is by no means the root cause of the current problem with Islamic fanaticism we are seeing. Islamic culture is in shock from seeing itself so far outdistanced by Western culture. Fanatic muslims are enraged and ashamed and will continue to strike out at the West until the realization comes that such activity is futile and self destructive. Peace will finally be achieved after great losses to both sides, hopefully by an Islamic leader who can reconcile obedience to the Sharia to coexistence with the West.
Posted by Jon on May 18, 2003 at 3:00 PM A well-written piece touching on most of the anti-war reasoning. The neo-cons (zio-cons?) like president Wilson and his “make the world safe for democracy” theme. The neo-con’s theme is to make the world safe for Israel, which may be a fine goal in itself, but should lead Americans to wonder who is running their government and in whose interest.
Posted by E. Gantry on May 18, 2003 at 10:16 PM Tom, you are an idiot to say the least.
“All you pacifists have been proven wrong time and time again. First you said this would a hard war to win and that the Iraqi people wouldn’t welcome coalition troops. You were wrong on both counts. “
First of all you pathetic little twit, are you a vet? To call me a pasifist? I am a former Marine sniper who was there the first time. The Iraqi people did not welcome us just as they dont welcome the soldiers now. and this war is far from over. the muslim people of the world are the new “injun” people...i.e...in the way of “progress”.
Posted by matt on May 22, 2003 at 9:05 PM Pull all allied forces out of that hole in the ground all nuke em!
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