But we have no right to be morally appalled--we have created much worse situations to innocent human beings, children, in other countries.
When I don't see people discussing both sides of the issue and looking at the complexity of our involvement, it really irritates me.
Hi Jill, I wanted to address the above. Second point first if I may. I agree with this statement. There is a real danger in not digging deeper than the rhetoric. Loyal opposition is at the heart of what we would fight for. Frredom. The complexities of the current affairs are deep and vexing. The deeper I dig, the more vexing it becomes.
I would take issue with the second point however. Children were starving in Iraq before sanctions were imposed. Children will starve in Iraq after sanctions are lifted. Why? Because the leader of the country of Iraq does not give a damn about the children. There is enough food or money to buy food in Iraq today. I may be wrong about this but the sanctions were modified to exclude food, medicine, and the like. It is how these things are distributed after they arrive is what is the root of the problem.
Your premise lays at our feet, the decision by leaders of these other countries to spend their $$ on weapons and feed their armies rather than the children of these countries. I respectfully, wholeheartedly reject this notion.
Last night, I spent several hours talking with my neighbor, an escapee from Iran in 86'. He told me how women and children are regarded by the brutal zealots of these countries. Did you know that in Iran you can kill you children before they reach a certain age (I think he said 12), no questions asked? This is the value of children in Iran. I'm certain Iraq is similar.
Do you recall why we entered Somalia? It was because millions were starving and the "leaders" (those in power) were intercepting U.N. food convoys and feeding their armies. Once again, the "leaders" decision was "let the children starve. A good # of US soldiers died in this effort, never to breath free air again.
Please don't blame us for the decision of foriegn leaders to let their own people starve.
Respectfully,
D.H. |
