>This message is specifically for Aquaman:

Sorry, you got me first.

>I was reading how you so adamantly hate President Bush and
>are so anti-war. My question to you and to everyone else is
>what other options are there about stopping a ruler that not
>only ordered an attack on his own people with chemical
>weapons,

There is no question that these attacks against his own people were terrible, so don't think in any way that I am defending them. The fact remains, however, that these were Kurds attempting to kill him and overthrow the government and he was using weapons that the U.S. gave him. It's hard to say that any other leader wouldn't do the same if his life was in jeopardy.

> but also rejoiced publically after 9-11.

Muslims all across the Middle East were rejoicing, not just Saddam. Think of it this way, if you are a Kings fan and you finally see the Lakers fall, you are going to celebrate. If you are a Muslim in the Middle East and you see the country that has been killing your people for years get attacked, well you might celebrate. Again, not saying that its right, but it happens.

Is it
>your opinion that this man could not very well be the next
>Hitler if not stopped? If you don't know your history,
>Hitler started off by capturing surrounding countries. If I
>do recall Saddam did the same in '91 when he invaded
>bordering Iran.

Again, using weapons provided by the U.S. The U.S. wanted to see both nations fall but had to choose to support the lesser of the two evils, and that was Iraq. And oh yeah, what do you think Richard Perle's "Rebuilding America's Defenses" is talking about - controlling the Middle East.

The Iraqi people themselves are rejoicing
>to be rid of Saddam.

Those that are still alive. Killing people and destroying their towns is no way to liberate them.

It really bothers me when people are
>demeaning the purpose of my sister fighting in Iraq.

I don't think there is anyone on these boards that want your sister to be harmed in any way. It is possible to not support the reason why she is over there and still hope that she will be safe and come back unharmed.

These
>soldiers are out there defending our country from the threat
>of futher terrorist attacks.

There is no connection between Saddam and al-Queda and he has never made an attempt to attack any Americans except for during war time. If we really wanted to protect this country from terrorist attacks we would start doing something about the connections Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have with al-Queda that are as clear as day.

I think that Bush is doing
>what is best for the country.

I think he is doing what is in the best interests for himself and his administration.

It has nothing to do with oil
>or whatever else people are saying.

Again, check out Richard Perle's report. One of the clear strategies to maintaining global dominance is to control the majority of the world's energy sources.

For god sakes, had
>something been done about Bin Laden when he first bombed the
>world trade center when Clinton was in office that could
>have prevented 9-11!!!

Agree, something does need to be done about him. The connections between the U.S. and bin laden go back to '89. Indeed, Clinton could have done something to stop bin laden, but Bush sr and jr could have as well.

That being said this war is for
>prevention of threats to our national security. Sometimes
>when things happen you have to stand alone, and I'm glad
>that our president is taking a stand and doing something
>about a terrorist ruler.

And as we stand alone, we grow farther apart from the rest of the world, creating anti-American sentiment across the world. I don't know about you, but I'd like to see other parts of the world. I'd prefer if I didn't have to do it while fearing for my life.

I also encourage everyone to wear
>or post a yellow ribbon in support of the "real heros" out
>there in Iraq. Oh yeah, about the whole war is of the
>devil, I don't understand that. If that was the case then
>why did God help his people fight and win wars in the bible.
> The whole wall of Jericho and all of the other biblical
>wars, what about them. Well not to discredit or disrespect
>anyones religious beliefs but I've read and now I am
>speaking my mind.

You got me there. I'm not very religious. I consider myself to be quite spiritual but not religious.

I'm tired of hearing people complaining
>about how wrong war is when they aren't offering any other
>solutions.

There have been many other solutions offered, clearly it doesn't matter though. Bush has already made it widely known that he won't have it any other way.

True, if we lived in a perfect world we wouldn't
>need war, but we are nowhere near that. Let's be real.
>1on1. I'm out.

True indeed, I'm sure we would all like peace. If we are nowhere near a perfect world then that means that we have to get to work. We can't just sit back and say, well, the world is fucked up but there is nothing we can do so we might as well live with it.

The world would definitely be better off without Saddam, war is not the way to get rid of him though. A war in the name of peace is just ridiculous. Remember, being anti-war doesn't mean being pro-Saddam or anti-troops. We all pray that your sister and all of the other troops will get out of there safely and as soon as possible.

Oh yeah, there is one more thing............. it's been emotional

With war imminent, President Bush and others are already discussing plans for a post-Saddam, U.S.-occupied Iraq. What do you think?

"I'm sure there are plenty of ambitious young despots out there who would jump at the chance to rule Iraq."
Andrea Crim
Teacher

"I just hope we don't see a repeat of that mess we made a few years back when we tried to install an American ruler in America."
Bruce Wollensky
Attorney


"Can't we just get CNN to run the place?"
Martin Baines
Systems Analyst

"Whatever happens, someone should be there to film the most touching moments."
Meredith Hall
Psychologist


"We should ask ourselves what we would want if Iraq was occupying the U.S."
Ken Franklin
Bus Driver

"Oh, man, we're not gonna make Iraq the 51st state, are we?"
Dennis Doering
Landscaper