>>If the US had GIVEN Dahmer the knives with which he cut up his victims (say, because they were supporting him against a neighbour), then got hold of him and left him free to do what he wanted for ten years, and then one day, after he has done nothing in ten years, decided to kill him, I would also find that very suspect.<<
Correct(and well done <vbg>.)
I don't regard myself as an apologist for the US. In our quest to neutralize Iran. we did support Saddam and I condemn it. In fact, I look at two examples of successful foreign policy by the US as our withdrawal from Indonesia under Sukarno and our withdrawal from Egypt under Nasser. The USSR rushed in, got exploited, and then booted out. Unfortunately in Indonesia, there was a massive pogrom of communists and Chinese. Both countries are back in the free'er fold. I also think we screwed the USSR by letting them give Castro billions. They got "bupkis" for it. (trans--nanny goat turds- in yiddish).
Ironically, in the same light, Iran is becoming more western oriented and the theocracy is having a difficult time. I think our non-intervention is helping. I stopped posting Iranian news, but a one-time successor to Khomenei backed the moderates recently.
However, my position is that we must enforce international laws about crimes against humanity. Saddam is guilty of them. I also think that if Dahmer were crime-less for ten years, you wouldn't want him free.
I'm vascillating about Bush's intent. I now think that he won't attack without international backing. He's read the polls. I'm also going to brag that my Arab source was correct about Saddam getting an offer of amnesty. I reported it here before the press released it.
fred |
