h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Boxing Baboon

Iran and Eygpt are both Islamic states with elected governments. Despite being part of the axis of evil Iran is as democratic as any of the U.S. allies in the region including Isreal. As for the U.S. not being perfect but being better than anywhere else in the world .

"so what if invading iraq was a bit to do with the oil?.Who wil the cash from the oil be going to? The iraqi people not saddam.It can go to help rebuild the country .So thats great news for the folk living there"

Don't be naive, BB. The US stated, many months before the invasion, that they intended to seize oil revenues to "finance the occupation."

That's an occupation that's unnecessary, unjustified, immoral and illegal incidentally.

It should be obvious to everyone by now that the invasion of Iraq was never even remotely about liberating the Iraqi people. That's not even a happy side-effect of the invasion, as no-one can really say that the Iraqi people are better off now than they were under Saddam.

Empty Sky

Agree that the U.S. invasion wasn't justified under international law and their reasons for doing so were primarily selfish but most of the Iraqi people are better off without a ruler who used chemical weapons against his own people and launched unprovoked invasions against 2 of his Islamic neighbours.

"...but most of the Iraqi people are better off without a ruler who used chemical weapons against his own people and launched unprovoked invasions against 2 of his Islamic neighbours."

Blackberry, no-one's doubting that it's good that Saddam is no longer there. But as for whether the Iraqi people are better off. Well, now they're under the thumb of a leader who delights in using the gas chamber against his own people and launched unprovoked invasions against 2 sovereign powers.

Aren't they merely swapping one set of problems for another?

I'm sure that the Iraqi people currently dying from hunger, thirst, cholera, radiation poisoning and the rampant crime rate find it very difficult to be grateful for their new-found freedom to embrace American-style democracy.

Agreed its a new set of problems but I suspect most Iraqis will end up a little better off if only because the sanctions that have existed since the 1st Gulf War are over. The Kurds and the Shiites in southern Iraq are defnitely better off than they were under a government which viewed them all as potential traitors and had only 1 way of dealing with traitors.

Oh. That isn't such a big deal, I wouldn't have thought...

Having caught up on the backlog:

who or what is Hanger?

Why did Oetzi jump on Fathead's first post in such a psychotic way? He merely stated a few historical facts. Why the boring Alpha Male attitude, Oetzi? Feeling insecure. If you really own the street, why are you pissing on all the lampposts?

Everyone, let's vote: Fathead gives his/her name to Oetzi. Yes or no?

Hi, fathead! I ken well that you have a lot of good information about recent history. I also get especially annoyed with the "They saved our donkeys in World War II" thing, which we hear a lot in NZ.

"I suspect most Iraqis will end up a little better off if only because the sanctions that have existed since the 1st Gulf War are over."

Blackberry, surely it was not necessary to invade Iraq in order to bring about an end to sanctions. The sanctions were immoral anyway. They caused unnecessary death and suffering. Simply putting an end to the sanctions, would've been the most efficient way to help the Iraqi people (if helping them was ever a priority).

That seems to be the opinion of heaps of people in NZ, Oetzi. Mostly people who weren't around at the time (I'm talkin' about my generation...).
The credit goes mostly to the USA here, from them and from the average New Zealander. It makes me kotch!

I've given up trying to work out where Oetzi is coming from. I suspect its whatever will annoy the most people possible.

Your information about Mexico was very welcome, fathead.

>>Cause its the truth.<<
No it's not.

Empty Sky

Agreed ending sanctions would've been easier.
Agreed helping Iraqis was at most an afterthought.
But getting rid of Saddam was a benefit.

The man oppressed his own people.
He used chemical weapons on Iranians, Kurds, and Marsh Arabs.
He invaded Iran and Kuwait.
I cant help but be glad hes gone.

Blackberry, I agree. Iraq and the world are definately better off without Saddam.

Now do you suppose he'll ever be found?

"The man oppressed his own people.
He used chemical weapons on Iranians, Kurds, and Marsh Arabs.
He invaded Iran and Kuwait.
I cant help but be glad hes gone."

The man lied to and mislead his own people and the world so that he could kill tens of thousands.
His country used chemical and biological weapons on its own people and the people of allies. It used nuclear weapons against others.
He invaded Iraq. His father invaded Iraq, Panama, and Granada. . ."

The Who had a song . . .

In about 10 years time we'll find hes been living in exile very comfortably in Saudi Arabia or wherever. As to whether the U.S. complains or not that would depend on how much they need the oil and how many votes Jeb Bush or whichever of the clan is running for President then thinks they can get out of.

"The Who had a song . . ."

OK, which 'Who' song do you mean?

Sorry. Thought it was obvious. "Won't get fooled again"

Nice one!