Why not more admonishments for Saddam?

Houston Chronicle ^ | August 29, 2002 | staff

[Cincinatus' Wife]

If a schoolyard bully were menacing the other kids on the playground with a weapon, most people would have a serious problem with that.

If a bigger kid called the bully to task and threatened to take pre-emptive action if the thug didn't give up the weapon and his menacing ways, most would respect that, even though the threat of escalating violence on the playground would alarm us and send us in search of a more diplomatic, peaceful resolution.

What would be passing strange, however, would be for the other kids to harangue the kid trying to stop the bully, while reinforcing their solidarity with the thug.

OK, this huge oversimplification doesn't come close to capturing the complexities of international relations, but this little parable does make a point about the talk of war between the United States and Iraq.

The Chronicle does not advocate a rush to war. President Bush has not yet made a convincing case that the threat posed by Iraq is imminent enough to justify going to war. But if some of the effort spent jawboning the United States, particularly within the Arab world, were aimed at putting pressure on Saddam, then Bush might not have to order an attack.

It is Saddam Hussein, after all, who has defied international sanctions. At any time over the past decade he could have defused the situation by dropping his pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.

Saudi foreign policy adviser Adel al-Jubeir told CNN on Tuesday that the Saudis feel strongly that Saddam should be dealt with diplomatically. Does he really mean that? It's doubtful.

At the Cairo headquarters of the Arab League on Tuesday, diplomats say, permanent representatives clashed over an Iraqi request to include an Arab message of support for Iraq on the agenda of a foreign ministers meeting next week.

Many Arab governments, the Associated Press reported, wanted to include wording urging Iraq to accept the return of U.N. weapons inspectors, while Baghdad sought a firm Arab statement of solidarity. In the end, AP reported, they accepted a Palestinian proposal that they discuss threats against "some Arab countries, especially Iraq."

Repeat: Placating the bully with expressions of solidarity is a passing strange form of diplomacy.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Under the supervision of United Nations inspectors, workers destroy growth media which could be used to produce biological weapons in Iraq in this May/June 1996 handout picture from the U.N. Saddam Hussein may be confused by the mixed signals Washington has been sending on the possible return of U.N. weapons inspectors to Iraq following the strong case made by Vice President Dick Cheney Monday, Aug. 26, 2002, against renewed inspections, and the subsequent State Department statement by spokesman Richard Boucher that "We're doing our utmost ... to get U.N. inspectors back to Iraq" . (AP Photo/UNSCOM)

U.S. Wants Saddam Out, with or Without Inspections*** Citing what he called a "crescendo" of debate, Warner said the committee should hear from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, widely seen as a leading supporter of pre-emptive military action. The House of Representatives was planning hearings of its own.

But the U.S. official called Saddam a supporter of terrorism and a threat to the region, saying these were also crucial parts of the U.S. case against the Iraqi leader, with the demand for weapons inspections.

Asked whether there was anything Saddam could do to change the U.S. determination to oust him, the official said there was not. "Regime change is the policy of this government," he said.

Washington would, however, keep pressing Saddam to readmit U.N. inspectors and honor his commitments to disarm, he said.

The United Nations evacuated its inspectors from Iraq in December 1998, accusing the Iraqis of obstructing their work. Within weeks the United States and Britain staged Operation Desert Fox, a massive four-night bombing campaign against suspected Iraqi weapons facilities, missile sites and other military targets. The weapons inspectors have not returned.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan declined to say directly whether Saddam could avoid a U.S. attempt to oust him. However, "this is a regime that needs to be changed," he told reporters covering Bush during his vacation Texas.***

[Joe Boucher]

Sadmans neighbors probably side with the U.S. on ridding the workd of the madman but are afraid to go public for two reasons:1, afraid their own populations would side with sadman due to the fact he is arab and muslim. 2,afraid sadmans operatives will become active in their countries and waste them ala egypt style. Secretely I gotta believe most all secretely wish the U.S. would waste the dog, and his henchmen..

[Cincinatus' Wife]

"If you're going to shoot somebody, shoot, don't talk." - Tuco - "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly"

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

What would be passing strange, however, would be for the other kids to harangue the kid trying to stop the bully, while reinforcing their solidarity with the thug.

Something very similar to that happened to me once. I was a kid at the time, of course. Some thug was beating up any other kids who were getting better grades. He was the teacher's darling, very sneaky. I wasn't good in school at the time. No threat to him. But I kept taking him and his sidekick on. The other kids hated me. I called them cowards and challenged them to stand up to him, and they resented me for it. Go figure. I still didn't give up. I really liked one guy who he beat up. The guy was just like Mr. Spock. But his personality completely changed after he was hit in the gut and told one word, "Change."

[Cincinatus' Wife]

...and they resented me for it. Go figure. I still didn't give up.

You must be one of those "right-wing extremist kind of dude!" Never give up!!