Once again, I never said once we invaded Iraq solely to improve life in Iraq. I said that a likely consequence of the invasion is that their lives will improve. I also pointed out the hypocrisy of opposing the war based on oil plunder when the man in charge was plundering oil like nobody's business with the aid of Western companies. It's safe to assume the Iraqi people will realize more benefits from oil profits now than they ever did under Saddam. So why get worked up over oil plunder, especially when there's no evidence that it's even happening? It makes no sense to me.
That's because you aren't considering what goes into oil and gas production, a costly step is refinement. Iraqis don't see any of that money. The money they do see will be going the US for a while, before they see much of it.
And to refer to your statement, "I also pointed out the hypocrisy of opposing the war based on oil plunder when the man in charge was plundering oil like nobody's business with the aid of Western companies.", you entirely missing the point. The point being that the deaths of innocent people for the oil is heinous. The phrase "Blood for Oil" alludes to both of these factors. One, that oil will be plundered, and secondly it will cost innocent Iraqi lives.
There are legitimate reasons to oppose the war, principally the cost related to the uncertain (and fading) prospects for ultimate success. But the reasons advanced in this thread aren't compelling.
It almost seems as if you are ignoring some issues. Mainly issues that related to modern day warfare. Killing thousands of innocent people, knocking out power grids, disrupting and destroying public services...these were all expected to be consequences of the invasion, before the invasion even started. Do you not think that the consequent death of thousands of Iraqis a legitimate reason for opposing the war? Apparently, the issue of human suffering does not factor into your equation. (I'm not implying that you are cold hearted...it's just that your equation doesn't take this into account)
Fight for Freeform, I have a fundamental disagreement with you over the quality of life in Iraq before the invasion. Obviously neither one of us lived there and must depend on reporting to form an opinion, but based on everything I have it was not comparable to the United States, even with the Patriot Act.
I've been involved with Amnesty International, and help out an organization called CANESI, which opposed the sanctions in Iraq and was active years before Bush was in power. Though I haven't visited Iraq, I can say that I know enough from friends who did go over there, and from Iraqis themselves, to base my opinion on. I have met Iraqis of all walks of life, even some who were brainwashed to love Saddam. I've met many who hate his guts.
You missed the point about the "Patriot Act" parallel I was drawing. Much of the picture painted by the Western Media was as if most Iraqis lived like Jews under Pharoah. That wasn't the case. Most lived normal,
productive lives under the Regime, as long as you kept your mouth shut about the regime. It's not all that different from the current situation in the US.
I'm sure you'll consider your life well off, productive..."full and happy", do you not? But that's not the case with all Americans. Some have been spied on, some have had their phone conversations recorded, and arrested. Some of these people have been beaten in prison, and these people have no legal representation and are held
without charge.
It's not as bad as the Saddam Regime...it's probably only 1/100th as bad as what occurred under Saddam Hussien. The point is...Iraqis who didn't cross the political line lived just as normally as we do here. Like I said, the biggest hurtful factor was the sanctions. And even then, as the sanctions were being circumvented for the latter half of the decade, things were getting back to normal for most people.
If you don't believe me, go talk to a few hundred Iraqis who are diverse in religion/race. Talk to their families, talk about how it was for the last 2 generations. I guarentee that your perception will change. I don't think I can say any more on the subject, other than answer questions. I don't mean to argue, but you have to understand that I have a lot of experience and taken the time to educate myself on these issues, and it looks like your info on which you base your opinion on isn't very broad.
