[CLUE-Talk] Sure its 'Not About Oil' was: Why Iraq? Why now?

[Jeffery Cann]

On Monday 03 February 2003 07:29 pm, Randy Arabie wrote:
> And those points were exactly the ones that I hoped you would elaborate
> upon.  Please address the "meat & potatoes".

Randy,

Fundamentally, I don't agree with his (or the general) premise to use violence 
/ war to end the real (or perceived) thread of Saddam Hussein.

I agree that Hussein is not a good guy and he probably does not have good 
intentions with respect to WMD.  For his abuses of his countrymen, Iranians, 
and Kuwaitis, he should be punished.  But, I don't think he should be killed 
as punishment because that would violate my belief in the sanctity of human 
life.

To me, any human life is valuable and I believe a person never loses their 
human rights, such as the right to live - regardless of what they do or how 
badly they may act.   Since Saddam has clearly abused the rights of others, 
his privileges (which are different than his human rights) in society should 
be revoked as punishment - e.g., life in prison.

I do not trust nor defend Saddam Hussein; however, I think as the most 
powerful country in the world, we can surely figure out another way to bring 
him to justice besides a war.  There will be too many innocent people killed 
in a war and the removal of Saddam never justifies the killing of anyone. 

Often, people choose violence when the believe it to be the last resort.  It 
seems that many people believe that the conflict would be resolved if Saddam 
were simply killed.  I don't think it's quite that simple.  For example, what 
happens to Iraq afterwards.  Imagine what would happen in the US, if our 
government were disbanded forcefully by another country.

Finally, I disagree that we need to 'bring democracy' to Iraq.  I think 
deposing Saddam would be a good start, but then we should let the Iraqis 
decide what form their government may take.  Our goal would only be to 
prevent another brutal dictator like Saddam and keep the peace until a stable 
and respectable government can form.  

It's ironic to me that Americans will go to great lengths to avoid being told 
what to do or how to live their lives, yet find it so easy to tell others 
what to do.  Perhaps the culture of Iraq does not support democracy.  Perhaps 
it does.  But, we have no right to force our beliefs or form of government on 
another sovergn nation - even if it happens to have one of the worst leaders 
in recent history.

So, when I read an essay that tries to justify war to resolve the conflict 
with Saddam, I just can't agree.  None of the points in the essay (or any 
point that anyone has yet told me) will sway my belief.

Later,
Jeff

-- 
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http://jefferycann.com/