Why do they hate us?
The question keeps coming from those who spend far more time watching prime time TV than reading history books and the daily newspaper.
Why do so many Iraqis hate us? After all we removed their tyrant from office. Many of them, of course, do not hate us. They are much happier that Saddam Hussein is gone. But let’s review a few facts for perspective. The U.S. estimated that 100,000 Iraqi soldiers died in the first Gulf War, another 300,000 were wounded and 60,000 taken prisoner. That’s the U.S. estimate. Many international observers say there were far more casualties than that on the Iraqi side, but let’s just stay with the U.S. numbers. These were young men forcibly drafted into the army by Saddam Hussein, and their mission was to reclaim Kuwait. Reclaim Kuwait? Why would one say “reclaim”? Because for many years Kuwait was part of Iraq. It was only after the British drew their many lines in the middle eastern sand; then left, that Kuwait became a separate country under the rule of a few very wealthy families. This also happened around the time that automobiles finally outnumbered horses in Europe and the U. S. and Kuwait was discovered to be sitting on enormous pools of oil.
Many Iraqis favored the invasion of Kuwait, whether or not they supported Saddam Hussein. Think “Texas”. If Mexico had defeated Sam Houston back in the 1800’s and kept Texas, would many Americans have favored a national effort to “reclaim” Texas in this century? Of course they would have.
So George Herbert Walker Bush’s decision to thrash Iraq for the invasion of Kuwait, to this day is regarded as outrageous meddling by many average Iraqi citizens. When one considers the U.S. provided Saddam Hussein with millions of dollars in armaments and war materials during the 1980’s, delivered by a smiling Donald Rumsfeld, is it any wonder that many secular, educated Iraqis view the current U.S. invasion and occupation as ludicrous.
Even if one considers the invasion of Iraq to be George W. Bush’s “payback” for the assassination attempt on his father by Iraqi agents, the motive draws little sympathy from the average Iraqi citizen. The alleged assassination attempt, after all, occurred in Kuwait during a 1993 visit by Bush the elder. The details of the assassination plot came from the Kuwaiti government. Not a lot of credibility to be found there, in the eyes of the average Iraqi.
Now let’s revisit those 100,000 combat deaths from the first Gulf War. Multiply those by surviving grandparents, children, aunts uncles and friends, and you have several million people who could very well have an “attitude” toward the United States.
A recipe for flowers in the streets for the invading U.S. troops? What were they smoking in Washington last year?
Why do people in some other countries hate us? Here’s a short answer: The Shah of Iran, Trujillo, Aristide, Suharto, Marcos, Ngo Dinh Diem, Somoza, and Pinochet: All courtesy of the U.S.A, and all definitely in the same league as Saddam Hussein. ( Clue: Their countries, in order: Iran, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Chile)
You don’t know who those people are? Turn off the TV and check out some history books. Too much trouble? Well, then quit asking “Why do they hate us.” After all, it’s a whole new season of ‘American Idol’ and you have other things to do.
David L. Gilmour |
