• u say that we owe iraq a lot, and yet that we shouldnt be there….

    u seem to be contradicting yourself here…


  • Well, the US has a responsibility to finish cleaning this mess that they generated. Yes, the posibility exists for a democratc gov’t blah blah blah, but really, they attacked a sovereign nation with out appropriate provacation, and they continue to murder Iraqi civilians.

  • Moderator

    true both of you saw flaws in my writing… yes Germany did get bombed, but Japan was hit more as far as losses(Both could be chosen for the arguement)… Yeah and we supported the British in there blockade! why didn’t stop them… wether saddam killed them or not we could have looked more like the “good guys” by supporting the people at least trying to put aid into the country… True Saddam killed thousands but some died instead of being shot that were not starved by him, instead there was no economy…


  • true both of you saw flaws in my writing… yes Germany did get bombed, but Japan was hit more as far as losses(Both could be chosen for the arguement)…

    The bombing of war factories was necessary to win the war, it is unfortunate that the civilians got caught in the crossfire. Also, there can be a point said that the bombings lowered morale and led to less loss of life (as the A-bombs did)

    Well, the US has a responsibility to finish cleaning this mess that they generated. Yes, the posibility exists for a democratc gov’t blah blah blah, but really, they attacked a sovereign nation with out appropriate provacation, and they continue to murder Iraqi civilians.

    Continue to murder Iraqi civilians? Where is proof of this? As for appropriate provacation, then I guess US shouldn’t have gone into Liberia, Kosovo, ect.

    Yeah and we supported the British in there blockade! why didn’t stop them….

    There is a difference between support and intervention…

    True Saddam killed thousands but some died instead of being shot that were not starved by him, instead there was no economy….

    Sorry this makes no sense whatsoever.

  • Moderator

    another words the GNP of Iraq was crippled because of the sanctions and therefore price were high for and some people couldn’t buy anything…yes Saddam, but some were related to the fact that there was sanctions… your comment about loss of life doesn’t makes sense cause that’s what I said!!! Thanks for beating me up :cry: :evil: :wink: !!! Ha, but in my own mind I’m right so what does it matter… :D


  • another words the GNP of Iraq was crippled because of the sanctions and therefore price were high for and some people couldn’t buy anything…yes Saddam, but some were related to the fact that there was sanctions…

    No, it is fault of Saddam. Those sanctions could’ve been lifted, but instead Saddam chose not to adhere to the policy of the UN. No shooting at US planes over the no-fly zone, not allowing weapons inspectors, ect.

    your comment about loss of life doesn’t makes sense cause that’s what I said!!!

    What loss of life are you talking about now?

  • Moderator

    @TG:

    another words the GNP of Iraq was crippled because of the sanctions and therefore price were high for and some people couldn’t buy anything…yes Saddam, but some were related to the fact that there was sanctions…

    No, it is fault of Saddam. Those sanctions could’ve been lifted, but instead Saddam chose not to adhere to the policy of the UN. No shooting at US planes over the no-fly zone, not allowing weapons inspectors, ect.

    your comment about loss of life doesn’t makes sense cause that’s what I said!!!

    What loss of life are you talking about now?

    the Civilians lost…
    yes I’ve already said Saddam was bad and caused innocent murder… but the US and UN were not angels either…
    but never mind you win the arguement… :wink:


  • Mind if i add and correct a few things?

    @TG:

    The bombing of war factories was necessary to win the war, it is unfortunate that the civilians got caught in the crossfire. Also, there can be a point said that the bombings lowered morale and led to less loss of life (as the A-bombs did)

    Well…… TG, pardon my harsh words, but this is BS.

    “unfortunate civilians” … do you mean: 600,000 civilians of 161 cities and 800 villages, 75,000 unfortunate children and 78,000 unfortunate slave-workers.
    And do you think you would call amied strikes at factories then an “area saturation doctrine” ?? With incendiary attacks from 28/03/42 (Luebeck … has a baltic port) over the 1000-bomber-raid on Cologne on the 31/05/42, Essen (a valid target though, with a big steel producing industry) three days later …
    having dropped more than 100,000 tons by late may 1943, being proud of “wiping off the map” half of a city (Wuppertal, 29/05/43, btw what is now a suburb of Wuppertal was hit not month after that).
    And then such things as “Operation Gomorrah” being called “the probably the most complete blotting out of a city that ever happened” by UK Air Ministry.
    And these are the understandable attacks, as the war was still raging high at that point.

    But … Dresden? Swinemuende (a refugee port!) ? Two new “single target” bomb record in march 45 (with 4.660 tons on the 11th onto Essen, and 4.800 tons on the 12th in Dortmund), Bombing the ruins of Hamburg again on the 21/03/45, attacking Hildesheim two days later (anyone of you knows where Hildesheim is, and what kind of military or strategical importance it could have??) More than 1000 bombers attacking Berlin on the 10/04/45 ?

    It was not at all crossfire, but deliberate slaughter on civilians .

    For the “less loss of life” …. mind you … [sarcasm] then the few thousands killed in the twin tower attack must be proud that they saved so many other lives. [/sarcasm]

    @TG:

    No, it is fault of Saddam. Those sanctions could’ve been lifted, but instead Saddam chose not to adhere to the policy of the UN. No shooting at US planes over the no-fly zone, not allowing weapons inspectors, ect.

    What has the no-fly-zone to do with the UN? That was a totally illegal thing set up by the US. So… they defended themselves there against illegal intruders.
    You are right with the weapon inspectors though.

    For the mentioning of WWI, and the notion of “cleaning up the mess they created” … it would have been nice, if the US had defended their peace proposal much more, and not withdrawn and given in some demand sof the French and British after WWI. Could have saved the world from a lot of later trouble.


  • the above was me

    Falk


  • You’re right the US/UN aren’t saints, but to even equate them to Saddam is like FDR to Hitler.


  • Well…… TG, pardon my harsh words, but this is BS.

    “unfortunate civilians” … do you mean: 600,000 civilians of 161 cities and 800 villages, 75,000 unfortunate children and 78,000 unfortunate slave-workers.
    And do you think you would call amied strikes at factories then an “area saturation doctrine” ?? With incendiary attacks from 28/03/42 (Luebeck … has a baltic port) over the 1000-bomber-raid on Cologne on the 31/05/42, Essen (a valid target though, with a big steel producing industry) three days later …

    Huh, I heard the civilian deaths were larger then the ones you gave. But the point still stands, the great majority of bombing attacks were aimed at war producing factories or logistical stations. I dare you to say otherwise.

    But … Dresden? Swinemuende (a refugee port!) ? Two new “single target” bomb record in march 45 (with 4.660 tons on the 11th onto Essen, and 4.800 tons on the 12th in Dortmund), Bombing the ruins of Hamburg again on the 21/03/45, attacking Hildesheim two days later (anyone of you knows where Hildesheim is, and what kind of military or strategical importance it could have??) More than 1000 bombers attacking Berlin on the 10/04/45 ?

    We been over this point before, you know that. You could say these attacks were intended to bottle up the movement of Axis forces (both attacks on the army and logistical wise - at least for Dresden). Also, the 1000 bomber attack on Berlin had purpose, it was to clear the way for the advancing Russian Army (and I’m sure military targets were involved, unless you can prove me otherwise), and as for the Battle of Berlin, it was probably the second bloodiest battle since Stalingrad (if not more so).

    having dropped more than 100,000 tons by late may 1943, being proud of “wiping off the map” half of a city (Wuppertal, 29/05/43, btw what is now a suburb of Wuppertal was hit not month after that).
    And then such things as “Operation Gomorrah” being called “the probably the most complete blotting out of a city that ever happened” by UK Air Ministry.
    And these are the understandable attacks, as the war was still raging high at that point.

    What has the no-fly-zone to do with the UN? That was a totally illegal thing set up by the US. So… they defended themselves there against illegal intruders.

    Not at all. THe no-fly zone north of the 36th parallel was made to monitor Iraqi compliance with UN Security Council resolutions 678, 687, and 688. The northern no-fly zone is not an aggression against Iraq or a violation of its sovereignty, it is a necessary and legitimate measure to limit Iraq’s aggressive air activities.

    For the mentioning of WWI, and the notion of “cleaning up the mess they created” … it would have been nice, if the US had defended their peace proposal much more, and not withdrawn and given in some demand sof the French and British after WWI. Could have saved the world from a lot of later trouble.

    Perhaps, though I don’t US was guilty anywhere near as France, UK, or Italy. Besides, US was more of a non-factor. What could we say? We were barely in the war for less than a year before it ended. We didn’t experience anywhere near the horrors of France (in particular - it was their country that was devestated) and UK, and had already lost millions of guys. Who were we to dictate the terms of the peace treaty.


  • I think it’s entirely relevant to counter F_alk’s rhetoric with this bit of uplifting news: http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20030924-080344-5035r.htm


  • @TG:

    Huh, I heard the civilian deaths were larger then the ones you gave. But the point still stands, the great majority of bombing attacks were aimed at war producing factories or logistical stations. I dare you to say otherwise.

    Yes, early attacks where aimed at industry and infrastructure. But later attacks were totally unneeded. How can you explain the attack on Hamburg in 1945? By no means there was much left that would have been worth bombing.
    So, i don’t go against your point in the way you say it here, but you did not relativate it before with the term “majority”, before that it sounded like all, and that is simply not true. The civilian deaths and the civil destruction were not only taken into account, but more or less embraced (with P-49s (AFAIR) strafing the ground of Dresden to “increase the chaos” in the late phase of the attacks).

    We been over this point before, you know that. You could say these attacks were intended to bottle up the movement of Axis forces (both attacks on the army and logistical wise - at least for Dresden).

    Why don’t you not just admit that your nation has commited war crimes, instead of fleeing from one weak excuse to the other?
    (As Swinemuende can by no means explained by the above)

    Not at all. THe no-fly zone north of the 36th parallel was made to monitor Iraqi compliance with UN Security Council resolutions 678, 687, and 688. The northern no-fly zone is not an aggression against Iraq or a violation of its sovereignty, it is a necessary and legitimate measure to limit Iraq’s aggressive air activities.

    You probably have read something from eucom.mil.
    If you instead looked directly at the three mentioned resolutions, you will find:

    in 678 (Nov 1990):
    2. Authorizes Member States co-operating with the Government of Kuwait, unless Iraq on or before 15 January 1991 fully implements, as set forth in paragraph 1 above, the foregoing resolutions, to use all necessary means to uphold and implement resolution 660 (1990) and all subsequent relevant resolutions and to restore international peace and security in the area;

    with “all necessary means” meaning the war for liberation.

    In 687 (Apr 1991):

    Affirming the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Kuwait and Iraq, and noting the intention expressed by the Member States cooperating with Kuwait under paragraph 2 of resolution 678 (1990) to bring their military presence in Iraq to an end as soon as possible consistent with paragraph 8 of resolution 686 ….

    I 33. Declares that, upon official notification by Iraq to the Secretary-General and to the Security Council of its acceptance of the provisions above, a formal cease-fire is effective between Iraq and Kuwait and the Member States cooperating with Kuwait in accordance with resolution 678 (1990);

    THIS is something that says No no-fly-zone.

    688 (April 1991) states:
    Gravely concerned by the repression of the Iraqi civilian population in many parts of Iraq, including most recently in Kurdish populated areas, …
    Deeply disturbed by the magnitude of the human suffering involved …

    but you will not see anything that you could be used to limit the sovereignity of the Iraq state somewhere.

    So, TG, you fell to someones propaganda, and did not read the original sources.

    For WWI:

    Perhaps, though I don’t US was guilty anywhere near as France, UK, or Italy. Besides, US was more of a non-factor. …Who were we to dictate the terms of the peace treaty.

    The US had set up a plan for an armistice/peace “without victors and victims”. That was the basis for the Germans to enter the negotiations. I don’t say you are as guilty as France or the UK, but you consistently try to play down the negative aspects of the role of the US played.

  • Moderator

    @TG:

    You’re right the US/UN aren’t saints, but to even equate them to Saddam is like FDR to Hitler.

    the same could be said about relating Saddam to Hitler :wink:


  • F’alk- Are you seriously comparing Allied Bombing raids to
    Nazi War Crimes? Please. Very simple:
    The Germans started WW2. If they did not want to be bombed
    they should have killed Hitler and ended the war.

    There is absolutely no moral equivalence.

  • Moderator

    @sherman28:

    F’alk- Are you seriously comparing Allied Bombing raids to
    Nazi War Crimes? Please. Very simple:
    The Germans started WW2. If they did not want to be bombed
    they should have killed Hitler and ended the war.

    There is absolutely no moral equivalence.

    the Germans were antagonized by the brutal WW1 Versaille Treaty which stripped Germany of evrything Rescource-wise and blamed the whole War on them(which, if you just go back 25 years in history, you will find out otherwise…) it also cased them to go into extreme poverty and the depression hit them the hardest… as far as Nazi war crimes, it might had not compared with war crimes… but why oes our “crimes” not get shown… then why does the battle of britian get more attention then the hundreds of thousands of German Families killed in deliberate Bombing raids?


  • GG- I am quite familiar with WW1 history and its aftermath and The Versailles Treaty. I don’t see what that has to do with ww2 War Crimes.
    I don’t think you want anyone to interpret your statement to mean
    “The Germans were treated badly after ww1 so anything that happened
    in WW2 is justified”. Since you brought up the Versailles Treaty:
    America did not sign it, because of the "War Guilt " part of the treaty.
    So I don’t think you can draw a clear path from Versailles to US war Crimes. Speaking of terror bombing of London- What was up with V- weapons raining down on London? What does the “V” stand for?
    Who Fired the V weapons?

  • Moderator

    @sherman28:

    GG- I am quite familiar with WW1 history and its aftermath and The Versailles Treaty. I don’t see what that has to do with ww2 War Crimes.
    I don’t think you want anyone to interpret your statement to mean
    “The Germans were treated badly after ww1 so anything that happened
    in WW2 is justified”. Since you brought up the Versailles Treaty:
    America did not sign it, because of the "War Guilt " part of the treaty.
    So I don’t think you can draw a clear path from Versailles to US war Crimes. Speaking of terror bombing of London- What was up with V- weapons raining down on London? What does the “V” stand for?
    Who Fired the V weapons?

    true I don’t want to say what happened in WW2 is justified, which it isn’t, but I think the crime of supporting Stalin the most evil man in history was a crime in and of itself…. WW1 Treaty made the German people look to Hitler who promised to make Germany great again… most people don’t look at the fact that they were swept away by Hitler because the had been demoralized, not wrong thinking… What did the “V” stand for? I personally don’t know but I know what Grafiti written on thousands of Bombs dropped on Germans say, preserved in neumorous RAF and US Army Corps photos… This topic is about Iraq and hw it connects to WW2 (sorta… :wink: ) that was my point in posts… that ww2 and Hitler cannot be compared with Iraq and Saddam just written very choppy (but hey, I come up with great War Movies in my head!!!)… TG Moses got me going off topic or I should say my brain off topic but it wasn’t his fault… :P


  • GG- Definitely agree with you on Stalin, Alas- the enemy of my enemy is my friend! Remeber that the alliance With uncle Joe was one of
    convenience. The V stood for Vengeance. The point I was trying to make was the Germans fired them indiscriminately at London, during all times of the day to get revenge on the British. There was no military justification for it. To say that German cities were bombed for no reason
    since the Germans were on the verge of surrender is a false argument.
    Dresden was bombed n February (13-14) 1945. The War ended on 8th May. In the long run it seems the the stategy was wrong because it
    tended to stiffen morale as opposed to weakening it. I know way off topic!


  • Back on topic… A recent poll indicates a majority of Iraqi’s feel life is much better after Saddam than before. And- I’d like to point out to the cynics that the 2 biggest messes the US cleaned up are Germany and Japan. In both cases it was years before either had a democratic government.

    The question SHOULD be why is Europe wanting to RUSH this along?
    What is their interest in Iraq having it’s own government in 6 months?
    Why are they making Iraqi soverignty a priority BEFORE they will help?

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