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Reader comment on item: What If the United States Had Not Invaded Iraq

Submitted by David Davila (United States), Sep 14, 2005 at 01:43

I do believe that there have been far-reaching changes in the mentality of the Arabs due to the fact that one of their strongmen has fallen in Iraq. It is not easy to build a group of democratically minded group out of one that has never had that experience. True to the
American attitude is that we typically have all problems solved within the hour.... the TV generation. Football games are decided on the basis of a span of 3-4 hours. My goodness, why can't we triumph within the hour ? This is ridiculous.

Now we are hearing the yammering of these same no-patience individuals that because all the Al-Qaeda inspired idiots didn't peacefully lay down their arms, we should wring our hands and run away like so many wimpy cowards. The patience that they have
will surely win the day if we don't change our own attitudes. They think in terms of decades while our TV fed people think in terms of hours.

Again we hear that because Bush didn't just take over immediately and feed all those people immediately, that he is a failure? How ridiculous is that ? If he had, we would be in a dictatorship because he wouldn't have respected States rights. Then the hue and
cry would be because he had overstepped his bounds. This was a disaster of very large proportions. When the storm was dead-on to New Orleans, their sainted mayor should have evacuated 3 days before it hit. His defense for not using the buses was that he couldn't find drivers. Tell that to the 18 year-old that commandeered a bus and drove a bunch to Houston. He hadn't ever driven a bus. Surely they could have enlisted volunteers to take over the duties. Instead he is pointing fingers at everyone but himself. If he had done his job, there wouldn't have been people screaming because they had missed some meals. They would have been on high ground and in a position that others could have given them proper care.

No, the invasion of Iraq was right and Iraqis are showing signs of coming out of their stupor that is induced by a dictatorship that stifles all dissent. Their own sons are beginning to fight the insurgency and winning battles. Our own decadent media that thrives on failure is constantly drumming into us that we are failing, our ideals are no good and we shouldn't impose our ideas on anyone else. Since when is allowing people a chance to have their say in the body politic inimical to them. Truly creative genius is only released when people are allowed to dream of better things. While I don't agree with unlimited 'freedom', being able to vote and speak one's own mind are precious liberties.
Al Qaeda members and the Saddams would have it different. You are free so long as you agree with them. There is no place for the dreamer and the dissident.

I also disagree with those that think that Iraq had nothing to do with the attacks on the US. Ramzi Yousef , the attacker of the twin towers came into the US under an Iraqi passport. see Laurie Mylroie's account of Ramzi Yousef :

ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1992, Ramzi Yousef arrived at JFK airport. He presented an Iraqi passport without a U.S. visa, was briefly detained (and fingerprinted) for illegal entry, and granted asylum pending a hearing. Yousef went to stay at the apartment of Musab Yasin, an Iraqi living in Jersey City. So too did Abdul Rahman Yasin, Musab's younger brother, who arrived in America from Iraq soon after Yousef. (Musab had an unlisted telephone number under an Israeli-sounding alias, Josie Hadas.) see http://www.fas.org/irp/world/iraq/956-tni.htm
for the full version. It is a wonder to me that so many continue to insist that Iraq had
nothing to do with attacks on the USA.

In yet another document we read ::
The logical explanation is that Khalid Mohammed, like Abdul Basit and Hakim Murad, is a stolen Kuwaiti identity. As with Basit, since this identity was undoubtedly stolen when Iraq occupied Kuwait in August 1990, the implication is that Mohammed's identity was stolen by Iraqi intelligence for Saddam's sake. Thus, the family of Khalid Mohammed and Abdul Basit, as well as Abdul Murad who grew up with Basit and was the son of a Kuwait pilot, were likely among the 600+ Kuwaitis that disappeared when Iraq took over the emirate in 1990. These identities were then handed over to Iraqi agents that became key operational planners in al Qaeda and carried out Saddam's revenge in the form of brazen terrorist plots against the United States including 9/11. AND WE CONNECT THE DOTS WITH THE FOLLOWING

When Iraq occupied Kuwait in 1990 and 1991, it used some Kuwaiti files to create false identities for key agents. It tampered with those files. It tampered with Abdul Basit Karim's files to create a false identity for Ramzi Yousef."
http://www.spiritoftruth.org/ksm.htm

It is interesting to note that these names are linked together by the records that were
uncovered by Laurie Mylroie...

RAMZI YOUSEF (bomber of twin towers), AKA ABDUL BASIT KARIM
(flying into usa under Iraqi passport)
ABDUL MURAD
SHEIKH KHALID MOHAMMED (Al Qaeda's Chief of Operations) ( 9-11 mastermind)

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, is a Pakistani Baluch. So is Ramzi Yousef, who masterminded the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. In 1995, together with a third Baluch, Abdul Hakam Murad, the two collaborated in an unsuccessful plot to bomb 12 U.S. airplanes. Years later, as head of al Qaeda's military committee, Mohammed reportedly planned the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings, as well as the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000. SEE THE FULL ACCOUNT http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110003213

While some question that Laurie Mylroie had an axe to grind, I believe that she was right.
So , what if we hadn't attacked Iraq ? Saddam would have continued to send his agents to destroy more of the USA and continued his association with Al-Qaeda.
Submitting....

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Reader comments (99) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
1the REAL war...read me... i'm opinionated* [259 words]AlexandraApr 10, 2007 18:2588985
2Alexandra is an uninformed citizen. [297 words]Jose VasquezApr 23, 2007 18:2088985
Brainwashed [190 words]gerald abacusJun 21, 2007 14:0188985
The real reason for the Iraq invasion [364 words]DaveDec 30, 2006 19:4471176
I disagree strongly. [289 words]SanchezDec 22, 2006 17:2170252
We have no choice. [34 words]Alyn P.Dec 19, 2006 16:4270025
what never would have happened [18 words]Jake GoudeauDec 19, 2005 19:5130216
What if the U.S. had not invaded Iraq: Cheap Russian oil [73 words]LarryDec 9, 2005 12:1529703
RE: Anatoly Tsaliovich [532 words]LorenNov 28, 2005 16:1028927
saddam as an ally? forget it [67 words]jeremyNov 21, 2005 18:1428665
Responce to AB [82 words]John GiannascaOct 24, 2005 01:3627241
What about the Weapons of Mass Destruction [54 words]ABOct 3, 2005 11:2826561
iraq doesnt need weapons of mass destruction [10 words]tylr bowdishNov 9, 2006 08:3526561
The place of Israel in this debate [229 words]andySep 30, 2005 15:3726495
please explain [95 words]freaked-outSep 26, 2005 13:5926327
Response to: BUSH FAILED POLITICALLY???? [403 words]Roy McIntyreSep 24, 2005 21:4426270
i dont get it [90 words]taylor marrtchionApr 10, 2008 10:1926270
What makes you think USA succeeded militarily? [233 words]Farhan KhanSep 20, 2005 02:1526037
BUSH FAILED POLITICALLY???? [68 words]Susan LeeSep 18, 2005 19:2826006
The French have attitude [165 words]Nidra PollerSep 18, 2005 16:4126003
TO FIGHT OR NOT TO FIGHT: THERE IS NO QUESTION [750 words]Anatoly TsaliovichSep 17, 2005 12:3025980
Response to Anatoly Tsaliovich [431 words]SanchezDec 23, 2006 22:1225980
Repetition of U.S. Neocon Propaganda [74 words]Raymond MooreSep 17, 2005 03:4725974
Iraqis - an Effective People would be more effective [120 words]George M Weinert VSep 14, 2005 13:5525829
Give freedom a chance [545 words]Tom KarrasSep 14, 2005 02:0325800
Exception to comment on handling disaster [985 words]David DavilaSep 14, 2005 01:4325799
Do What?! [138 words]JessSep 5, 2006 15:2625799
Invasion of Iraq - opportunity, not a goal [290 words]BorisSep 13, 2005 17:5725777
Here or there? Make up your mind! [309 words]Nick NicolleDec 20, 2006 18:4925777
The Iraqi War aftereffects could be different if self determination allowed [226 words]David GoshenSep 13, 2005 16:2825771
Yin & Yang [227 words]YovenSep 13, 2005 16:1225770
Your alternatives are too limiting [133 words]Avram KaliskySep 13, 2005 15:5625769
"Muslim unrest has been exacerbated by the war. " -Disagree [107 words]AndrewSep 13, 2005 11:2325758
A Case for War and Regional Transformation [963 words]Aidan MaconachySep 13, 2005 10:4325756
This one does not make sense [106 words]StanSep 13, 2005 03:0825737
up and down sides [185 words]John PhilipsSep 13, 2005 01:5625736
Lost cause? [150 words]Douglas BoggsSep 13, 2005 01:1325734
Response to Pipes' Response To My Response [102 words]Jonathan RickSep 12, 2005 22:5025732
war and victory [97 words]bob richmanSep 12, 2005 22:2925730
Iraq [137 words]KISep 12, 2005 21:3425729
We Should Have Been Smarter... [100 words]Dan FriedmanSep 12, 2005 17:2025727
Their hate is their shame [131 words]Jason PappasSep 12, 2005 16:4225726
Lebanon, Shia's, leftists [140 words]Henk TwerdaSep 12, 2005 16:2925724
Deliberately Sucked In [161 words]Darwin BarrettSep 12, 2005 15:4825723
Al-Qaida link was true [42 words]TerrySep 12, 2005 15:0425722
What if USA had not invaded Iraq ? [113 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Irving D. CohenSep 12, 2005 14:1525721
monetary cost of the Iraq wa [70 words]Jerome Kay M. D.Sep 12, 2005 12:5825718
Going in is easy. How about going out [234 words]yuval Brandstetter MDSep 12, 2005 12:5425717
not the entire story [152 words]Jerry MSep 12, 2005 12:5425716
Response to Jonathon Rick [65 words]ReportSep 12, 2005 12:2925713
Benefits vs. costs of Iraq war. [263 words]Andrew FreedmanSep 12, 2005 12:0825710
What about the cost? [67 words]David OldsSep 12, 2005 11:2525709
1Leaving Saddam Alone [56 words]Laurinda BurnsSep 12, 2005 10:3625706
I agree [17 words]Frank MorganAug 11, 2007 23:2625706
war [215 words]kim segarSep 12, 2005 09:5625703
Yes, there are many positives and negatives [720 words]MaggieSep 12, 2005 05:1125700
i love bush [48 words]Malynn OchsnerJul 18, 2007 12:3825700
A few more important points [267 words]Josh GSep 12, 2005 04:5725699
Much Too Early [352 words]Anatoly OstrovskySep 12, 2005 03:3825696
Iraq invasion was right [609 words]Amitabh tripathiSep 12, 2005 03:2425693
What if the US had not invaded Iraq [228 words]Joseph GoldyneSep 12, 2005 03:1225692
Democracy in Iraq??? [372 words]SULTANSep 12, 2005 02:4925691
As an Israeli I am ecstatic that Saddam is gone! [308 words]Kenneth S. BesigSep 12, 2005 02:4725690
The appeaser feeds the crocodile in the hope that it will eat him last [184 words]AndreSep 12, 2005 02:3225689
America's Weakness [395 words]WalterSep 12, 2005 01:2225688
I very much agree with you [107 words]JessSep 5, 2006 15:3225688
A Bit Oversimplified [181 words]Ira KatzSep 12, 2005 00:4125687
benefits overstated [63 words]elmer eisnerSep 11, 2005 23:5425685
Too little of the positive is noted [91 words]Yair WeinstockSep 11, 2005 22:5325684
Thank you for your messages... [155 words]Howard LucasSep 11, 2005 22:2225683
September 11th Column On Pros & Cons of Invading Iraq [69 words]Ken HuehnSep 11, 2005 21:3325682
if we hadn't what would be happening [29 words]christina wilbournMar 14, 2007 11:0725682
Negative results to the American invasion of Iraq!! [203 words]Tzvi TamariSep 11, 2005 21:0925681
I pray for Bush, America and Iraqis [109 words]Risa RahmawatiDec 13, 2007 23:3825681
Same old tune [152 words]John SwedbergSep 11, 2005 21:0225680
A difficult balancing act [896 words]Reuben HorneSep 11, 2005 20:4725679
Regime Change [71 words]David W. LincolnSep 11, 2005 20:4025678
The Pentagon Failure [236 words]Leonard MarkowitzSep 11, 2005 20:3625677
what might have been [298 words]john w. mcginleySep 11, 2005 20:2325676
what about other costs [31 words]Howard GoldSep 11, 2005 20:0725675
What is your point? [73 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
HannahTheStar@aol.comSep 11, 2005 19:4925674
simple response: [223 words]Jascha KesslerSep 11, 2005 19:4625673
No Alternative [285 words]PatSep 11, 2005 19:4525672
What If the United States Had Not Invaded Iraq [55 words]PHILLIPSep 11, 2005 19:2725670
Effect of Iraq war on Egypt and Lebanon [29 words]BottomfishSep 11, 2005 19:1425669
Insights for a thankful public [90 words]Thomas Earl CannadySep 11, 2005 18:5825668
What security-related benefits? [202 words]AaronSep 11, 2005 18:4425667
And that's why the red sea is safer..... [49 words]Sharmake IbrahimSep 11, 2005 18:2625666
al-Qaeda's links to Saddam [17 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Norman TregorSep 11, 2005 18:2025665
Links To al Qaeda? No [388 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Jonathan RickSep 11, 2005 18:1425664
what if [95 words]Donald W. BalesSep 11, 2005 17:2725661
politics and security [143 words]Peter J. HerzSep 11, 2005 17:2725660
Who failed "politically?" [183 words]Lee D. CarySep 11, 2005 17:1925659
WHAT IF THE U.S. HAD NOT INVADED IRAQ [223 words]Joe MurraySep 11, 2005 17:1925657
What we will never know [87 words]JaneSep 11, 2005 17:0025655
Bush administration had to do a reform in the American defence system [70 words]Dr. Uri MisteinSep 11, 2005 16:5125654
a bit optimistic view [71 words]maksmanSep 11, 2005 16:3825653
Iran could have had a new government, too [178 words]Henrik Ræder ClausenSep 11, 2005 16:0025652
Cost of War in Iraq [74 words]Paul BlumsteinSep 11, 2005 15:4725651

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