Get Real! wrote:RichardB wrote:FYI I agreed with the coilition intervention in Iraq I think Sadaam Hussein was a meglomanic despot who needed to be deposed But it is blatantly obvious that despite all the planning that went into the invasion no-one seemed to have done any planning for the aftermath.
I am shocked that you saw fit for the US to intervene militarily in Iraq just because its leader was a "megalomanic despot"!!!
I can think of two dozen other countries with leaders that fit this description and even worse, not excluding the US itself!
You also talk about "planning for the aftermath" like it's some sort of a project! What kind of "planning for the aftermath" where you expecting by the perpetrators after an entire nation is bombed to kingdom come???
Perhaps a rubble collection service? Maybe a rotting body disposal system? How about an orphan cleansing team?
I sometimes wonder which planet some of you posters come from...
—1978-80: Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, whose ancestors were of Iranian origin, packed in trucks and thrown out on border with Iran. Property confiscated. Hundreds died in very cold weather. Thousands of their teenage sons kept in Iraqi jails and after more than 15 years all killed.
— 1983: Government campaign against members of Kurdish Barzani tribe for helping Iran launch offensive in northern Iraq. Estimated 8,000 killed, many buried in mass graves far from home in Iraq's southern desert.
—1986-88: Scorched-earth offensive known as "Anfal" that included chemical attacks on Kurds in northern Iraq for advocating autonomy. Estimated 180,000 Kurds killed, many buried in mass graves in south. Possible genocide charges in Iraqi tribunal.
—1991: Crackdowns on Shiite Muslim and Kurdish uprisings at end of the Gulf War. Estimated 60,000 killed. Many buried in mass graves.
—1992: Draining of marshes in southern Iraq, driving population known as Marsh Arabs from homes and wiping out way of life. Tens of thousands killed. No mass graves. Possible genocide charges.
—1979-2003: Various political prisoners of populations distrusted by Saddam disappeared, including Turkomans, religious Muslims and communists. Tens of thousands believed killed. Many buried in mass graves, some near prisons.
The above are some of the reasons why I saw fit for the intervention in Iraq
I know the situation in Iraq at the present is not ideal (to put it mildly)
Which is why I asked the question as to why no thought was given to the process for establishing the 'peace' after the invasion which you derided "like its some sort of project" Actually this is probably a good term to use as I'm sure if you commence on a "project" (in this case invasion and toppling of despotic leader) then the "project should be thought out beforehand from beggining to end. The point I was making was that this project was only thought out to the end of the beginning and is now coming unstuck daily.
I agree there are other countries whose leaders fit the description, You mention the USA, but the people of the US no matter what their colour or religion etc have a right to vote in a democratic society,and, therefore can change their government. Other countries peoples do not have this right which is why I mentioned Zimbabwe and I believe Tess pointed out Rwanda. It is these countries the west should be helping but I doubt they will as there is nothing for them to gain.
Yours RichardB born 1956....Planet reality