Replies

Like you said earlier, you've neither fought nor served, so perhaps you find the threshhold to commit others to battle a little lower than mine.

I've both fought and served, and continue to do so, but my threshold is closer to Section9 than yours. I haven't observed a "fevered rush" to invade or occupy Iraq. To the contrary, I've witnessed years of restraint dealing with a known aggressor whose entire reign of terror has been characterized by war with not only his neighbors, but with all the nations represented by the UN. To suggest that Saddam's misbehavior has been limited to within his own borders is to ignore over 20 years of history. Within 1 year of taking power he attacked Iran. More recently he has provided cash rewards to the families of suicide bombers. Do you believe Abu Nidal was based in Iraq because he liked the scenery? Do you really think Saddam's actions in the last 20 years can be summed up as "hate thought"?
I certainly agree that there is much to be considered before commiting to open warfare with Iraq, but based on your comments here, I'm not sure you've really considered as much as you think.

To suggest that Saddam's misbehavior has been limited to within his own borders is to ignore over 20 years of history. Within 1 year of taking power he attacked Iran.

Saddam lost a war in 1991 which was sparked by his invasion of a neighbor. Since then, his army has remained within its borders. Where is the justification to now invade a country which has not attacked us or a strategic ally in over ten years?

More recently he has provided cash rewards to the families of suicide bombers.

As have the Saudi government and its royal families (our buddies), and much of the Arab world in one form or another. Our government gives billions to brutal dictators all over the world, but does that justify their victims (or a patron) to attack America or attempt to assassinate our President? For some reason I don't think we would so clinically call that a "regime change."

Do you believe Abu Nidal was based in Iraq because he liked the scenery?

At one time or another, Abu Nidal has also found comfort in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Germany and France. Let's invade and occupy those countries, too. Or if that's too much to do at one time, maybe we can enlist Tony Soprano to effect a few more "regime changes" around the world.

Love us or die!