Leave Iraq and Brace for a Bigger Bloodbath

The Washington Post ^ | July 8, 2007 | Natan Sharansky

[gpapa]

Iraqis call Ali Hassan al-Majeed "Chemical Ali," and few wept when the notorious former general received five death sentences last month for ordering the use of nerve agents against his government's Kurdish citizens in the late 1980s. His trial came as a reckoning and a reminder -- summoning up the horrors of Saddam Hussein's rule even as it underscored the way today's heated Iraq debates in Washington have left the key issue of human rights on the sidelines. People of goodwill can certainly disagree over how to handle Iraq, but human rights should be part of any responsible calculus. Unfortunately, some leaders continue to play down the gross violations in Iraq under Hussein's republic of fear and ignore the potential for a human rights catastrophe should the United States withdraw.

[rlmorel]

Mr. Sharansky is right on the money, in my opinion.

Right on.

[Billthedrill]

Unlike the pampered brats at Amnesty International, Natan Sharansky has earned the right to speak on the topic of human rights. His Fear No Evil will make your skin crawl.

Anyone who claims that the Iraqis were better off under Saddam is welcome to try life in a police state, a real one, not the imaginary one they tell themselves they're currently inhabiting. Sharansky did, and he knows the difference.

[The South Texan]

Indeed he is. What is refreshing and probably the most telling is some of our biggest backers in Iraq today are individuals or countries that were severely punished by the old Soviet Union like Mr Sharansky and Poland. But of course the American Drive By Media and the rest of the Left ignores that little fact because they still wish the Soviet Union was around although they might get their wish again someday.

So to those like Mr Sharansky and the countries of the old Soviet Bloc we say thank you for acting like real friends unlike the some of our traditional friends in Europe.

[Future Snake Eater]

People of goodwill can certainly disagree over how to handle Iraq, but human rights should be part of any responsible calculus. Unfortunately, some leaders continue to play down the gross violations in Iraq under Hussein's republic of fear and ignore the potential for a human rights catastrophe should the United States withdraw.

First, what about the rights of the U.S. to not sacrifice its own Soldiers and Marines for the freedom of hajis everywhere? When does their responsibility to themselves finally come into play?

Second, Saddam is gone, dead. Weighing what Iraq was like under him for current political considerations is irrelevant.

Third, this should have read "People of goodwill can certainly disagree over how to handle Iraq, but the vast majority of them will never even see the counntry or its useless inhabitants, so it really doesn't matter anyway."

[Grizzled Bear]

His Fear No Evil will make your skin crawl.

---

Have you read “Case For Democracy?”

[Billthedrill]

Not yet. Would you recommend it?

[Grizzled Bear]

Not yet. Would you recommend it?

---

Absolutely!

[yldstrk]

Good for Sharansky for speaking out. I can remember the days when he was imprisoned in the Soviet Union and his wife was on TV pleading for his release. I am a child of a father who was imprisoned in a Japanese concentration camp when he was a child. Most of us in the United States have the good fortune never to have been denied our freedom—we can only imagine what it must be like to face death, imprisonment, uncertainty day after day. Don’t take it for granted. The Iraqi’s don’t.

[hosepipe]

[.. Have you read “Case For Democracy?” ..]

Democracy is the road to socialism. Karl Marx

Democracy is indispensable to socialism. The goal of socialism is communism. V.I. Lenin

The meaning of peace is the absence of opposition to socialism.- Karl Marx

NOTE: Socialism is Slavery by Government and is caused by democracy.. WHich is Mob Rule by Mobsters..

[rlmorel]

Absolutely. A great argument for opposing tyranny by Mr. Sharansky.

[Grizzled Bear]

If you read real books you would understand that Natan Sharansky is the last man you would expect to support socialism or communism. Your comments have no relevance to my exchange with BilltheDrill.

In other words; please refrain from tossing your nickles in with our quarters.

[rlmorel]

Well put indeed.

I would also say "...we say thank you for acting like real friends unlike the some of our traditional friends in Europe American Politicians on the Left..."

[Billthedrill]

Many thanks. I'll hunt up a copy. I set a strict policy of only purchasing one book a week back in 1989.

I made it almost...uh...well...a week...

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Hey GI,,,Hurraagghh !,,,

Prayers Up for You and the Guys...Be Safe...

GOD Bless...

[hosepipe]

I have been aware of Sharansky for years..
I post mainly to lurkers..

"How do you tell a Socialist:- It's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an Anti-Socialist someone who understands Marx and Lenin" -Ronald Reagan

[Grizzled Bear]

I have been aware of Sharansky for years..
I post mainly to lurkers..

---

Okay...Good for you.

;-)

[ClaireSolt]

I love Sharansky, and I also recommend his Case for Democracy, especially for anyone who has ever read Solsenitzhen. Sometimes I am stunned to realize how quickly people seem to have forgotten the hard won knowledge we got during the Cold War about totalitarian regimes.

[shrinkermd]

good post

[Leisler]

"Natan Sharansky?

Jews. Always talking about somebody getting wiped out. What's wrong with these people? < / sarcasm, history, off >