Posted by Dinah on March 28, 2006, at 10:27:49
In reply to Re: Iraqi Deaths, posted by Sobriquet Style on March 28, 2006, at 9:56:25
Sigh. Now with a lovely post like that, you've drawn me back in. :)
I don't disagree with a thing you say, except that the state of health care and other services in Iraq hadn't been all that wonderful since before the sanctions. Sadly, the sanctions hurt the general populace far worse than they hurt the elite. At one time, Iraq was a liberal and progressive area. Even under that administration. But the sanctions did a lot of damage.
Sadly whenever there is money to be had, there will be money misused. Even here after Katrina. Even in aid organizations that mean well, but where the food and medicine oftimes gets diverted towards those in power and away from those who really need it. And certainly U.S. citizens and companies are no less susceptible to temptation than anyone else. There needs to be strict accountablility, which is made more difficult by the unstable conditions there right now.
And sadly, men and women put under the sort of stress that soldiers are put under daily, with suicide bombers and the involvement of the citizenry, will sometimes react in ways they might later regret. I think the overall plan was always to hold the public relations upper hand, both within Iraq and in the world. So I doubt that there is top down approval for mistreatment of Iraqi citizens. Stronger accountability needs to be in place there as well.
I agree that turning what is now supposed to be a peacekeeping operation while the Iraqi government gains the ability to take over for itself would be best turned over to others. Are others willing to have it turned over to them? I'd certainly back any plans to do that.
poster:Dinah
thread:621784
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060322/msgs/625471.html