With al the horrible news about American soldiers mistreating Iraqi prisoners I want to point out that good things are happening in Iraq too. I posted about WWII earlier this week and there are numerous stories about allied soldiers hurting and even killing German soldiers when they had already surrendered. That’s wrong, but nobody would say therefore that the allied should have pulled out of Europe or that defense ministers should have resigned. The same thing now with Iraq: yes, there should be an investigation and people should be punished. No, the US and it’s allies should not pull out of Iraq and Rumsfeld should not resign.
And now on to the Good things happening in Iraq.
First there’s Operation GIVE. Operation Give coordinates the collection and distribution of toys and other items for Iraqi children. Read the weblog by Chief Wiggles. Chief Wiggles is a member of the Utah National Guard stationed in Iraq and involved as a volunteer in Operation GIVE.
Also take a look at Spirit of America. They also have a weblog. Their mission is to expand the abilities of Americans serving abroad to improve the quality of life of people at the grass roots level. It’s a not-for-profit organization supported through private sector contributions and in-kind support.
As all of you know, the Internet and Open source software are tools of free people. So you’ll be happy to see there’s an Iraqi Linux Group. You can donate an extra copy of a good computer book to help Linux and free software education in Iraq, visit the Freedom Technology Center website or BookCrossing.com for more info.
Helping the Iraqis smile. Three Oregon volunteer dentists with Northwest Medical Teams leave this Sunday to train Iraqi dentists and to care for patients suffering from dental trauma and infection.
You see, a lot of good and positive things are happening in Iraq. In the west we have a microwave society and expect things to happen now. We’re not used to waiting. But we need patience in Iraq. Again; WWII ended almost 60 years ago and in The Netherlands a lot of people still dislike Germans. We live peacefully as neighbors but often are no friends. Let’s keep it up and see how beautiful Iraq will be in 60 years.
Beautiful post! "microwave society" PING! :) But you're right. It's very nice to see such positive things are happening there.
Rumsfeld should have resigned, but indeed pulling away troops now would be even more stupid then going in the first place. Although I certainly did not agree with what was going on in Iraq before the US decided to intervene, I am annoyed by the arrogancy of the western world, headed by Bush that pretends to know what is good for the rest of the world. Many ordinary people are no better off now than they were before we invaded and I am sure that although they care about their future, they are not happy at all with what is going on right now. What I find even worse is that Bush considers every nation that is not fully backing him up to be on the terrorists side. Ridiculous. Just because I don't agree with Bush's foreign policy does not mean I am a terrorist. I am on the side of the Iraqi people who want to get rid of Saddam just a much as we do...
"Rumsfeld should have resigned, but indeed pulling away troops now would be even more stupid then going in the first place."
I think Rumsfeld should be given a medal. The more scum-sucking terrorists humiliated the better. You should have read about all of the Iraqi exiles that cheered when they saw their former REAL torturers in those photos.
"Although I certainly did not agree with what was going on in Iraq before the US decided to intervene, I am annoyed by the arrogancy of the western world, headed by Bush that pretends to know what is good for the rest of the world."
Sounds like something someone who is jealous of power of the USA. And of its freedom and principles and diversity. All you can do is call Bush arrogant. How constructive you are.
"Many ordinary people are no better off now than they were before we invaded and I am sure that although they care about their future, they are not happy at all with what is going on right now."
Did Bush claim that EVERYONE would be better off than they were before, and if so, who is to judge? YOU? HAHA! You should read some of the Iraqi surveys and polls, fella. Granted, it is no paradise, but there are many more people doing better than there are people doing worse, and to argue otherwise is disingenous.
"What I find even worse is that Bush considers every nation that is not fully backing him up to be on the terrorists side. Ridiculous. Just because I don't agree with Bush's foreign policy does not mean I am a terrorist. I am on the side of the Iraqi people who want to get rid of Saddam just a much as we do..."
You paint with a very broad brush, pal. You know that this is not true. He only considers nations that sponser terrorism on the terrorists side. A 6 year old could figure that out. I'm glad that at least you are supposedly on the side of the Iraqi people. Isn't it sad for you that they are now grateful to oooo the 'stupid evil BUSH' to liberate them? ;) Grow up.
DUTCH CHEESE & AMERICAN PIE 4 EEUWIG!
Jason, we are all entitled to our own opinions.
What Rumsfeld let happen in Iraq is inexcusible. I know abusa like that happens all over the world and certainly not only by American soldiers. However, in this case Rumsfeld, being defense secretary should have taken responsibility for his men. Just saying sorry doesn't cut it. It should not have happened.
About Bush and the coalition forces... He did say literally: "Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." (see http://cgi.omroep.nl/cgi-bin/streams?/tv/kro/reporter/bb.20040331.asf, about 1 minute 10 into the program). Like it or not, but I am not the one painting with a broad brush here...
Hey, my post was about GOOD things happening in Iraq :)
I agree 100% that we are all entitled to our own opinions. I do not endorse what happened in those prisons. It is also my opinion that claiming Rumsfeld should resign because of what 0.0001% of the US soldiers (many of them irregular reservists) did to what were probably non-iraqi terrorists who, among other things, shot coalition soldiers and blew up civilians is patently ridiculous. Atrocities were much more prevalent on both sides during WWII and there were no mass appeals for resignations of any kind. It is also my opinion that all of this is nothing but ballyhoo against Bush by people who could care less about those prisoners.
And what about what Bush said about being with us or with the terrorists is inconsistent with what I said? It makes total sense. It is abundantly obvious that he means that terror sponsoring regimes are against us. It does not mean that nations can not have a difference of opinion on a whole variety of topics. Try not to twist his words to fit your private theories too much. But other than that, and as I have said before, I agree with you that the prisoners should not be abused. It is a good thing they are our prisoners though and not Saddam's. I think they would agree with me as well.
FreezeM, have you made it to San Francisco yet? I remember you and Sweety had mentioned visiting recently.