[righthand]

Quote by: DotComa A real shame. Righthand, do you not understand what sort of people are killing our soldiers? The same people who round up police and shoot them kneeling, and the same who drive car bombs indiscriminately into crowds. These are not Iraqis; these are monsters that need to be stopped from controlling a vital region of the Middle East. These soldiers did not die in vain as you say.

Debating the merits of this war at an emotional time like this is a bit macabre. I have no wish to cause any further hurt. Intellectual debate doesn't cut it at an emotional time like this.

There are a few thoughts that have being bothering me.
1. After the capture of Baghdad, US soldiers in the main stood about while Iraqis looted their hospital, schools, museums, anything. Why. Under Martial Law it is perfectly acceptable to shoot looters. It's one of the few times that summary execution is OK with me. Five, ten dead looters would have indicated to all that the US was in charge. Iraqis would have understood too. As it was it was downhill all the way thereafter. It was never explained why. It's clear Rumsfeld didn't send enough to do the job - yet he kept his - but it doesn't explain the inactivity of those there.
2. I learnt shortly after the US arrived in Iraqi about this 'blood' thing. If hurt or killed my brother/sister then family members are bound to revenge this whether the hurt/killing was justified or not. This had nothing got to do with religion. It's more jewish than anything, you know 'an eye for an eye'. Even if compensation is paid, family members are honour bound to seek revenge. This may explain why Iraqis are prepared to die. I know little more than this, but if I was facing Iraqis in a war zone, I'd find out if this is what drives them.
3. "The same people who round up police and shoot them kneeling." Well they certainly cannot imprison them. Even mentioning prison, probably inflames the situation more. If I was captured then I'd prefer a quick bullet in the neck to many of the alternatives.
4."The same who drive car bombs indiscriminately into crowds". Yes, but again what alternatives from their point of view. We must understand why they are prepared to die. And don't say religion or you'll never get close to the answer. They have had decades of example to follow from the Palestine's.
5. "Monsters that need to be stopped from controlling a vital region of the Middle East". It is only a vital region from an American perspective. Have you a right to the oil? Individually they benefit little before or since from oil. First they want the US out of Iraq. Do you think the administration ever intends leaving? I don't. They don't. US troops in Saudi Arabia were a prime reason for 9/11. If Rumsfeld said all troops were out in twelve months, would you believe him. Why should they then? List the countries the US left and list those it left without 'encouragement'. Much different?
6."These soldiers did not die in vain as you say". What purpose did their deaths serve? If their deaths had the slightest effect on this hard necked administration then I'd say their deaths were some good. No chance. It's a disgrace that no senior member of the administration responsible for putting them in harms way, will attend their burial. In a civilized nation, that is monstrous! But of course what would this commander-in-chief know about military protocol.

I hope that anything that I've written causes you no more sorrow at this time. I feel that if I did not say what I've said would be dishonouring their deaths more. My dearest wish is that their deaths would save further deaths. Not under comical george. Will you believe his platitudes to God and country. I cannot take him seriously any more.