Dirty Pool in Iraq

www.Chronwatch.com ^ | 4/2/03 | Cinnamon Stillwell

[SeenTheLight]

The tragic incident in Najaf on Monday, where U.S. soldiers were forced to fire on a vehicle, resulting in the deaths of seven women and children, will no doubt add fuel to the fire of anti-Americanism. What will be lost in the hand-wringing is the fact that if it weren’t for the dishonorable methods of some Iraqi fighters, Coalition soldiers would not be compelled to respond in this manner.

Events like these are not only regrettable, but wrenching, especially for the soldiers who are involved. If Iraqi fighters hadn’t started employing tactics such as fake surrenders, suicide bombings, wearing civilian clothing, and using women and children as human shields, Coalition forces would not have reacted as they did. Let’s keep in mind that the first car suicide bombing in Iraq occurred the day before, resulting in the deaths of 4 U.S. soldiers. Therefore, when this vehicle (strangely filled only with women and children) didn’t acknowledge their first or second round of warning shots, U.S. soldiers were forced to protect themselves.

It became clear a few days into the war, that some Iraqi fighters, like their counterparts among the Palestinians, play dirty pool. Indeed, the challenge this poses for Coalition forces is similar to that faced by the Israeli Defense Forces on a daily basis. Some would argue that such guerilla tactics are the result of technologically superior forces ganging up on lesser adversaries. But this ignores the fact that the most advanced militaries in the world emanate from Western, democratic nations, whereas dictatorships and failed states tend to generate terrorism and anarchy. One is motivated by the blood, sweat, and tears of their own people, while the other fights to maintain the dictatorial governments that oppress their own people.

This war has been a wake-up call for many Americans about the lengths to which Hussein’s regime will go to maintain power. When your enemies have so little respect for the lives of their own people, it’s difficult to maintain your own ethical standards. This is the dilemma facing Western nations in the ongoing battle in Iraq and beyond.

[SeenTheLight]

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[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[Professional]

Had lunch with a client today. He paid, because I won the bet, we would go to war. He's anti war, even had a button on one day, not today. He brought up the shooting of women and children in this instance, without the thought it was a set up. I calmly explained my point of view on this and he was pretty much silenced. I agreed with him that the idea that this war isn't well justified on the direct link to 911. I did ask him to consider what would have happened if Clinton had not beat Bush Sr. In that case I said, we would have wound up in this war, but somewhere around the mid 90's. I asked if he was paying close attention to the war, he said "just a little bit". I could have pummeled him all lunch long, but restrained myself a bit, going over every bit of this struggle with all the facts (thanks to FR of course) . When we finished, two ladies looked at me as we left. They looked at me as if I was the smartest person they had ever seen. It was pretty strange.

[Beacon Falls]

It's really a shame that some people have to be reminded of the "Dirty Pool" tactics of these people. Call me crazy but I vividly remember what happened blocks away from my job on 9/11, maybe I'm nuts but I'm still very angy that I lost the best job I ever had and now don't live in the greatest city in the world and am stuck, for now, in Connecticut. I hate living and working in Connecticut. Perhaps I've gone overbaord but I don't use gas stations, stores or anything from someone who looks like they are from the middle east. Boycott french wine, sure but the french whine all the time anyway. Boycott all people of middle eastern decent for a while, no problem they made us cry. Sure most of them are fine, but who's to say which ones. And how do you know that the $$ you give them won't end up in the bad guys hands some how just because they know so many suspect people. "Dirty Pool"? anyone who is shocked at anything these people do are fools and need to refresh some recent history.

[happygrl]

They looked at me as if I was the smartest person they had ever seen. It was pretty strange.

Heh, heh, heh...

What a great combination: to be smart AND scary !

[Professional]

Well, to be honest, they may have been liberals, giving me that "he's another bushbot murdering republican" look. I prefer the "smart" guy look, for some partisan reason...

[nastypumps]

This is the bay area., you ARE the smartest person they have ever seen.

[happygrl]

The leftist/liberals time is over.

We own the country, LOL!