i heard that if you wear your seatbelt, it makes it harder for aliens to steal you away in their ship!Quote:
Originally Posted by Eki
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i heard that if you wear your seatbelt, it makes it harder for aliens to steal you away in their ship!Quote:
Originally Posted by Eki
The Sydney morning herald ran a good article last weekend on the hard life of an American in Iraq holed up in one of the former palaces in the green zone.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eki
Makes for interesting reading.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/par...761751665.html
http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/..._470x287,0.jpg
Yes, especially since Saddam was accused of living in a palace in luxury while the Iraqi people suffered.Quote:
Originally Posted by cossie16
Even the dinner table conversations follow a similar protocol that was probably used under Saddam's rule when even the walls had ears:
"In conversation at their tables, they observed an unspoken protocol. It was always appropriate to praise "the mission": the Bush Administration's campaign to transform Iraq into a peaceful, modern, secular democracy where everyone, regardless of sect or ethnicity, would get along. Tirades about how Saddam had ruined the country and descriptions of how you were going to resuscitate it were also fine. But unless you knew someone really, really well, you didn't question American policy over a meal."
I know it's subtle, but I wonder when will the Americans take the hint and leave. It should be obvious that they have worn out their welcome:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,264860,00.html
Demonstrators Mark 4th Anniversary of Baghdad's Fall
Monday, April 09, 2007
BAGHDAD — Tens of thousands marched through the streets of two Shiite holy cities Monday to mark the fourth anniversary of Baghdad's fall.
The rally was called for by powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who commands an enormous following among Iraq's majority Shiites and has close allies in the Shiite-dominated government.
A day earlier, the renegade cleric issued a statement ordering his militiamen to redouble their battle to oust American forces and argued that Iraq's army and police should join him in defeating "your archenemy."
On Monday, demonstrators marched from Kufa to neighboring Najaf, 100 miles south of Baghdad, with two cordons of Iraqi police lining the route.
Some at the rally waved small Iraqi flags; others hoisted up a giant flag 10 yards long. Leaflets fluttered through the breeze reading: "Yes, Yes to Iraq" and "Yes, Yes to Muqtada. Occupiers should leave Iraq."
Of course they'd say that Eki. Muqtada Al-Sadr will be a big shot in Irag and will probably in the middle of one heckuva war.
I find it incredible when people talk of Blair and Bush in the same way they talk about Saddam. Do these people really think they are in the same league?!
I think a lot of people seem to forget how bad Saddam was. Without him incharge, and out of the picture, that alone means the war wasn't a complete waste of time money, and most importantly, lives.
To those people who think we should withdraw the troops, and yet go on about how we've wrecked the Iraqi's lives, should stop and think about things. Whether going to war was right and wrong, you have to take responsibility for your actions, and try and make it right. Walking away half way through a job, because it's getting tough, is not the responsible way to do things!
You can't go and invade a country, cause chaos, turn it upside down, and then just walk off!
You should think about that before you invade. What did they expect would happen? They were told there would be chaos and mayhem but they didn't believe or care.Quote:
Originally Posted by raphael123
I agree completely with you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eki
However, two wrongs don't make a right.
Are you trying to say that because it was wrong to invade a country, you should just leave it in the chaos you caused? Or do you agree with me that you should stay and sort out the mess you created?
As I said previously, forget about whether it was right or wrong to go there in the first place - you can't change history. What do you do now? Stay and take responsibility for you actions, or run away and leave the country in a mess which you created?
I say you should do as the people of that country want you to do. Right now it seems that many, maybe even the majority, of both Sunni and Shiia Iraqis want the occupation forces out. I don't think the presence of the American military necessarily helps the situation, because they seem to be viewed as a common enemy to the Iraqi sects and a reminder of the humiliation the Iraqis went through when they lost the war.Quote:
Originally Posted by raphael123
I'm not sure if thats the case everywhere in Iraq. But as I say, I'm not sure! If you have any source, reliable and not biased preferably I'd be interested in reading it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eki
I don't think governments or leaders should necessarily do what the majority of it's public want. As generally the public aren't as well informed of the consequences of such actions. My understanding is the iraqi politicians agree with the way the coalitian troops are going about things in terms of staying put until the infrastructure is set up.
I don't see how the loss of all the coalitian troops will help situations. It would mean there would be no one policing the country. Things are very bad at the moment, but it would be even worse without anyone policing the area. Some say that there are only bombs and fighting because they are attacking the americans, but basically when they leave they will be attacking the iraqi soldiers/police who have been working with the americans.
I guess our views differ in that I believe you should take responsibility and sort it out, rather than just walk away, which as you say is what you think they should do :)
I guess at the end of the day neither of us are in a position to state which way is better.