open Democracy News Analysis - Iraq: the beginning of the end, Paul Rogers - Comments

kwatt on "Iraq: the beginning of the end"

kwatt — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 18:20:52 +0000

Re: UNDESTINED

Your comment:

1. Democratically elected gov? Maybe you should ask the Iraqis..

More than 60% voter turnout. We did ask the Iraqis, genius! Did you prefer Saddam's method?

You posted:

Your are entitled to your opinion, but most American's regard the trial and execution of Saddam to be a success. Capital punishment puts killers out of business.

Liberal gibberish. Typical. It's no wonder you can't reach rational conclusions.

By providing a battle front in the middle east that is confronting radical Islamists.

Your ignorance is impressive. The people being killed in Iraq are being killed by terrorism. The Iraqi government is an ally of the united states. Do you deny that the people targetting and killing innocent Iraqis are terrorists? Whose side are you on?

nandmbanks on "Iraq: the beginning of the end"

nandmbanks — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 05:01:35 +0000

It is definitional accuracy in the use of emotive terms that helps evoke the validity of the argument; to use the wrong term conveys the wrong tenor.

These elements fighting legitimate Iraqi government, the general population and the US and coalition forces inside Iraq are not insurgents; they are not paramilitary, they are terrorists. Insurgency usually evokes some sense of wider support and even elements of popular righteousness.

An insurgent is one who rises in forcible opposition to lawful authority or who engages in armed resistance to a government, or to the execution of the laws of that government. A terrorist uses armed violence to achieve political ends, especially the state of fear and submission amongst a populace. To my mind, the Sunnis are not insurgents and the Shi'a are not militia fighting an �enemy�; neither are a resistance movement, they are simply terrorists. The use of suicide bombers against military and civilian targets is an act of terrorism, not insurgency. After all, US and allied forces conjoined as the International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT), not the International Coalition Against Insurgents.

EDT on "Iraq: the beginning of the end"

EDT — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 01:42:13 +0000

Rogers only focus seems to b U.S. failures. Frankly once a week is way too often for this narrow dimension of analysis. What by the way is Roger's opinion of insurgent tactics of targeting civillians? I'm no fan of the Bush administration, but the consistant tone of Rogers makes me wonder if he is more interested in the failure of the U.S. than anything else! Fire him or at least cut him back to once a month (or less).

undestined on "Iraq: the beginning of the end"

undestined — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:38:21 +0000

Great Article.

In comment on "kwatt":

1. Democratically elected gov? Maybe you should ask the Iraqis..

2. When did capital punishment become a success in the "first world"?

3. Thousands of Al Qaeda killed? Says who? Bush? Fine, i'll believe him. But how about the SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND CIVILIANS (650,000) form the beginning of Mr Bush's "Crusade"? And how about the millions (including the 1.2 million children) who died in the 12 years before that because of the US supported UN sanctions?

4. How do you divert "terrorists"? Actually, maybe the better question is "Who are the terrorists? According to Mr Bush and Co, it is everyone who is attacking them. Fine. Then let's say the Iraqis invade Britain, or USA, and you fight them back. Will you be a terrorist?

5. Reforms in Libya? How so? By setting up Kaddafi's son to come after him? Have you talked to any libyans lately? ask them about the torture in the prisons, the "democracy" that's flooding them, their freedom of speech, etc. I guess the only "re-forming" that happened was the "re-forming" of US benefits regarding Libya.

Indeed, i do wonder, what would success look like?

Firas - Lebanon

kwatt on "Iraq: the beginning of the end"

kwatt — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:52:52 +0000

Failure?

Democratically elected goverment.

Saddam executed by this government.

Thousands of Al Qaeda terrorists killed.

Thousands more diverted from other terrorist activities.

Democratic reforms in Libya.

WMD programs permanently dismantled.

What would success look like?

Ttrryosborn on "Iraq: the beginning of the end"

Ttrryosborn — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 06:56:56 +0000

Another rant masquerading as insight from Paul Rogers.

Iraq: the beginning of the end, Paul Rogers

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The proposed British evacuation of Iraq prefigures the failure of the United States-led project in the country. Read the rest of this post...