Question for the group. I did some simple number crunching using some assumptions (yes, I know what happens when you assume). So, let's assume that 10,000 civilians total die during the two Gulf War conflicts (the military estimates 3,000 during GU1 and I'm just guessing at 7,000 this time - right now it looks like far fewer will die but we've yet to go into Bagdad). Saddam has reportedly killed, during his tenure, 4 million Iraqi citizens. So, if we say that he's been in power for 40 years (actually I think he's been in power fewer years then that) then he's killed an average of 100,000 innocent people per year. Would the deaths of those 10,000 civilians during the two wars have been worth it to get rid of someone who kills (more than) 100,000 per year? Or is it better not to fight the war, have no civilian casualties but let Saddam keep murduring people. Anyone?
This is a great question. Let me add this, back in 1991 the military pulled out of the Gulf War and let Saddam deal with his people. He dealt with them by slaughtering those people who resistant him or didn't agree with him. Along with the was chase said in his post, that is what the coalition would be leaving the people to.
I don't think being a republican or democrat really has anything to do with it though, especially considering Clinton is a democrat and supports Bush. I think it would have more to do with public sentiment. If the American people started to get more and more antsy and started demanding the war to end I think that's when they would seriously considering pulling out. But as long as their is support they will keep it up. I think that is true of most presidents regardless of party.
This isn't a math problem, we're not doing statistics here. They are all human beings. If you could save 20 people who you'll never ever meet, never know if they are good, innocent people, or criminals, would you sacrifice your mother? It's stupid for us, who aren't affected by this to just compare numbers and say "yeah, that is less than that." I wish we could have just assisinated his ass. There used to be a cowboy in the CIA who planned uprisings, but the military heads wouldn't support him if I'm not mistaken. There was even a plan to spike Saddam's Viagra, but I don't know why that plan didn't happen.
Collateral Damage....its not just a bad Ahnold movie. Its a fact of life. You wanna make an omlette, you gotta break some eggs.
Here's your winner! Someone was waiting for this line to come up. Was that you, rimbaud? Of course it's worth it.
Yeah, I know, but someone on this BBS made a snide remark that they were surprised that the quote had not come up yet... offered by a conservative specifically. That's why I say... "We have a winner!"
Here's all I will say on the war: I'd rather a few thousand Iraqis die than a few million Americans if Saddam achieves nuclear capabilities and terrorists somehow magically wind up with a bomb. Call me callous. Call me a sheep. Whatever.
AntiSonic, That is correct. We already have one North Korea, this war is to make sure we don't have 2. DD
It's easy to answer the question when it isn't your family members or friends potentially being a part of those 10,000 dying.
Its also easy to oppose action in Iraq when your family hasn't been murdered, raped, and god knows what else by an indurate person.
As opposed to those in this country who support war who's families haven't been murdered, raped, and god knows what else. American arrogance in action.
You accuse him of being arrogant, but he simply took your comment and turned it back to you. So if he's arrogant, then so are you. Liberal arrogance in action.
It's clear you really cannot read very well. And I'm not a liberal, not that it would stop you from trying to label me to compensate for your inability to deal with the content of my posts. Nice going buddy.
Nah, I'm really not. In fact I remember some pretty big arguments with a lot of lefties on here in 2001/2002. People seem to have knee jerk memories nowadays.
That's an importing thing to consider. But, still, what do you do? (Remember Speed? ) Of course if you are one of the 10,000 dead you think this is a bad trade (better alive unde Saddam then dead so your country is free, right?). And the loss of any life sucks. It's a tough moral delima.
