thames--re >>If he's really so good-hearted, we'd see a lot more concern for intervention in Zimbabwe and Burma; two regimes far more malevolent in 2003 than Saddam, if less strategically positioned and with sadly less oil... <<
I taught at the U of Zimbabwe, and in fact, was hosted by a British friend who was expelled by Mugabe for supporting Morgan Tsvegarai(sp) and I'm quite familiar with the political situation there. Altho I deplore the beatings, the supression of rights, etc., of Mugabe, he has hardly committed genocide. In fact, Morgan Tsvengarai is currently out of prison. How can you compare that with Saddam's first presidential convocation where he read the names of nearly 200 delegates and ministers who were then taken out of the auditorium, many never to be seen again? Please, don't trivialize Saddam's crimes.
I am less familiar with Burma, altho I have a close Burmese cousin. However, I doubt if Aug Lee (I'm terrible at names) would be alive in Iraq.
As far as the argument that Saddam didn't commit genocide recently...When a mass murderer brought to trial for a ten year old crimes, uses the defense that he hasn't murdered anyone recently, I'll give credence to that argument.
Moreover, another place that require world intervention is N. Korea. Millions have starved and are starving, millions have perished in prison, and the world, once again, refuses to value these lives.
The only argument that I can see against invasion of both Iraq and N Korea, is not that it is not humane, but that the consequences of direct actions may be worse than passivity. That is how I take the Dalai Lama's position. He is waiting to see the effectiveness of the invasion. I agree with him that violence, unfortunately, is sometimes required to prevent further evil, but that time will tell about the consequences of intervention.
We also strongly disagee on french motives. Have you been following the scandal about Iraqi oil bribes getting in Chiravc's parties pockets? To dismiss my response as American paranoia requires more justification than you presented.
As to Zonder, well, her comments allow me to rest my case.
fred |
