There was a little demonstration against the war in London last saturday that you probably didn't hear much about on the news.

George Bush and Tony Blair are determined to attack Iraq, but they have a problem. Us. The anti-war movement is the great democratic movement in this country. It is the only movement in the country that can force the government to stop the carnage and bloodshed that now threatens peace in the Middle East.

And here's another petition that anyone can sign. ("Don't Attack Iraq" Petition organised by Stop the War Coalition and CND) I am number 16418 (how Orwellian!)

Posted by: Mac on October 2, 2002 02:28 AM

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Just to add some balance... I say bring Hussein and his violent ways down. He's broken his promises far too often thus proven he can't be trusted. Even Clinton spoke out against Hussein with evidence that he was involved with many terrorist acts around the world. His CIA director, James Woolsey, has information that connects him with the earlier World Trade Center bombing. Sure, nobody likes war. Unfortunately Hussein has forced this issue, in my opinion.

http://www.globalpolicy.org/wtc/targets/2002/0320iraq.htm

Posted by: boysen on October 2, 2002 04:37 PM

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Hands up anyone who doesn't think Hussein is an evil bastard? That'll be nobody, then.

Now hands up anybody who thinks a war on Iraq will make things worse? That'll be 80% of the population of the UK and about 40% of the population of the USA, according to latest polls.

There has to be a better way of dealing with him than reducing the country to rubble and killing large numbers of the population, which is what usually happens in a war (in case we've forgotten).

Posted by: Alan Fisher on October 3, 2002 07:13 AM

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We could give James Bond a call? The Brits should like that one. ;^)

Maybe I've seen too much Hollywood sensationalism, but I would actually be in favor of a little covert operation to eliminate Hussein. But if it doesn't, he needs to be removed. We don't want another 9/11.

If there were, I'm afraid the public opinion polls would over-react and we would get calls for far more extreme actions.

Posted by: boysen on October 3, 2002 02:12 PM

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Wow, only 40%?

Posted by: Lydia on October 3, 2002 04:20 PM

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I am unsure about this issue. War is a horrible thing--too many lives lost on both sides and great suffering for the civilian populations.

But I read about what Hussein has done (and probably continues to do as we write) and see similarities to Hitler's actions. If history repeats itself, then we do ourselves and the world a disservice if we stand by and do nothing.

Posted by: jan on October 4, 2002 02:34 PM

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"Oh we are sailing ... just give Peace a chance" - John Lennon

Posted by: daniel szuc on October 7, 2002 06:16 AM

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Daniel, I don't get the play on words there.

Posted by: Lydia on October 7, 2002 02:10 PM

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It's not that people don't want peace, Daniel.

Does anyone else see the lack of value in a recommendation against war from people outside the US, when those citing that opinion aren't the ones who've been attacked or put at risk?

No that you are not entitled to your opinion, but in reality, your opinion isn't worth very much in this debate.

Posted by: boysen on October 8, 2002 02:51 PM

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boysen, I'm afraid that your comment is the kind of thing that encourages the rest of the world to belive that americans are arrogant sods who don't care about anyone except themselves.

This was will affect everyone, especially the people in Iraq who will be added to the 'price worth paying' pile.

"When asked on US television if she [Madeline Albright, US Secretary of State] thought that the death of half a million Iraqi children [from sanctions in Iraq] was a price worth paying, Albright replied: "This is a very hard choice, but we think the price is worth it."" -- John Pilger, "Squeezed to Death", Guardian, March 4, 2000

I guess that you didn't talk to any of these people at the weekend. They are American and therefore are 'allowed' a voice, or maybe there's some other reason why they should be ignored?

Posted by: Mac on October 9, 2002 02:57 AM

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