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Guest Entry: In Favour
I'm not a fan of war. I don't think anyone is. I do however believe that sometimes armed conflict is necessary. I believe that this is one of those times. My issue however, isn't the war; it's the anti-war protesters. In the last few weeks, I've seen memorials at the Museum of the Regiments defaced, an American flag splattered with paint, and tombstones covered with graffiti. Why is it that those people that are so intent on peace, are also intent on destroying other people's property? When I heard about the damage to the tombstones in France, I was stunned. How does hurting someone else possibly promote peace? As a child, I once pushed a girl, because I liked her. I've since grown up, and realized that there are better ways to show affection. The other thing I don't understand is the people that cry against war in Iraq, because "innocent people will get hurt." I think some points need to be made here. Saddam Hussein is one of the most brutal dictators to ever grace the planet. Thousands have disappeared under his rule. There is a building in Baghdad called "the Palace of the End." No one comes out alive. A feature of Iraqi prisons is the butcher's meat hooks. A person impaled on one dies slowly, as each movement drives the hook deeper into the body. It makes crucifixion look humane. A former Iraqi scientist, who had been imprisoned 11 years for not helping Saddam make nuclear weapons was asked what the worst thing was about an Iraqi prisons was. "Listening to the sounds of children being tortured until their fathers confessed," was the reply. This is the same man who once put down a coup attempt, by having the offending military officers BOILED ALIVE IN ACID. Stop for a moment, and try to comprehend that horror. I have been accused of "falling for Americanist Propaganda," (someone's actual words). There is an Organization called "Samaritan's Purse," that exists to help innocent victims of war. I read an article by one of the directors of this group, discussing Saddam's handling of the Kurds in Iraq. He recalled a man telling him, "You knew Saddam's troops were coming to your village, because the day before, all the children would disappear. The next day, when the tanks rolled in, all the children would be tied to the front of them, so you couldn't shoot them." Feel free to read this group's side of the story, or check Amnesty International's records on Iraq. Neither of these groups are pro-American, nor do they give a damn about oil. My question becomes, what about those people? Does it not matter that innocent people have been getting tortured and slaughtered for years? When do we, as a society, say "No More!"? If Saddam doesn't have "weapons of mass destruction," does it matter to the people whose lives have already been destroyed? Is it okay that innocents get killed, as long as it s not by the Americans? Does anyone really believe, that if Bush hadn't invaded, Saddam would suddenly see the light, and stop maiming and killing? Does a man that has earned the nickname "The Butcher of Baghdad" really sound like someone that listens to reason? Can anyone suggest to me a way the situation could have been resolved other than war? It seems to me that this man HAS TO GO. When you demonstrate against this war, you tell the world that you're for Saddam. "End the war...let Saddam continue the killing and torture!" For me, that much is black and white. That's my viewpoint. Feel free to disagree, for while I may disagree with your view, I will defend to the death your right to say it. Comments can be sent to chadhazzard(at)hotmail.com*. I'm sure Phil doesn't need the hate mail. - Chad Hazzard (* As always, to send a letter from a link on this site, remove the 'REMOVE_THIS' portion of the email address in your email program. -Phil) (Enter standard disclaimer about 'opinions of the author do not necessarily blah blah blah' here.)
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A
little while ago, Phil asked me to pen a "guest editorial" on his forum.
I've known Phil since I was nine, so I didn't take the request lightly,
but really had no idea what I could possibly speak on. Then, as I was
reading the paper yesterday, I found myself screaming at the wind at yet
another outrage, and realized I had found my answer.