Friday, September 6, 2002

"Saddam Hussein Sat On A Wall" 2 QUOTES OF THE DAY "What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?" - - Mahatma Gandhi "A time has come when silence is betrayal. That time is now." - - Martin Luther King Jr. RHINO HERE: One of my more more radical friends wonders how hard shrub & co are willing to wag our dog? Would they go so far as a chemical, biological, or a minor nuke weapon against the Kurds or the Shiites or possibly Iran, Turkey or Jordan making it look like an Iraqi attempt against Israel, to justify attacking Iraq. With troops already in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Afghanistan (with the US troop guarded oil pipeline coming soon), my friend claims control of the Mideast oil reserves is what the war drums are all about. Another friend fears something simpler. With the US and Britain aggressively bombing Iraq no-fly zones for the last month resulting in some civilian deaths, all the American public needs he thinks is one case of retaliation (like Iraq shooting down an American plane) to galvanize overnight support for war. In the essay below, Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. asks "Is the Bush Administration trying to stop terrorism? Bring about a regime change? Or keep Saddam from using biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons on his neighbors and possibly us?" He reasons, "A pre-emptive attack may even bring about a consequence we say we're trying to avoid. Isn't Saddam - who seems to be primarily interested in personal survival - more likely to use all of the weapons we fear if backed into a corner with a pre-emptive attack?" All very scary scenarios to the Rhino. What to do? Make our voices heard. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD FROM HOME THIS WEEKEND http://www.voice4change.org/stories/showstory.asp?file=020624~for.asp OR GO OUT AND GET SOME SUN, BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY http://www.voice4change.org/news/retaliation 7:56:46 AM    comment

Who Will Put Humpty Dumpty Back Together? By Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed | Thursday, 5 September, 2002 ...Even if we launch a pre-emptive attack and succeed in a regime change, ending the Iraqi threats, and even impeding terrorism, will it be worth the cost and proportionate? What will it cost in American lives and treasure? In innocent Iraqi lives, including women and children? In potentially destabilizing the region? In reconstructing Iraq? Will there be an American presence in Iraq for 10, 20, or 30 years trying to reconcile the Kurds in the North, the Shiites in the South, and the Sunnis in central Iraq? And if we choose to "go it alone," what will be the cost of lost U.S. respect and influence in the world for failing to have a decent respect for the opinion of mankind? Finally, would our "recovering" economy be able to withstand the likely spike in oil prices and resulting negative economic impact at home as a result of such an invasion - such as even higher budget deficits, slower growth, and higher unemployment for a longer period of time? A year from now I hope we won't be changing the words to the old children's rhyme about Humpty Dumpty as follows: Saddam Hussein sat on a wall, Saddam Hussein had a great fall, But all the U.S. soldiers and money we send, Couldn't put Iraq together again. TO SEE THE ENTIRE ARTICLE, GO TO: http://www.truthout.org/docs_02/09.06C.jjj.iraq.htm 7:49:28 AM    comment

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