[jimbob]

Let me start by saying 1) I'm in a really cranky mood today, so if you ain't wearing flame proof undies, don't read any further and 2) I support the war on Iraq, but feel deeply for the plight of the average person in Iraq who will feel more pain before they feel any relief.

If there are families unwilling to fight for Iraq, why do they not move to an area where there will not be soldiers?

A nice sentiment but please, an ounce of reality for just a second. In Iraq one does not simply pack all their belongings, their family pet and 2.5 children into the SUV and the rented U-haul, drive 25 km (16.3 mi) to a new suburb and unload their crap into a new condo and call it a weekend. The average Joe or Joe-ette in Bagdad has many children, nearly no income and very significant family ties. There are no condos available for rent, there is no rapid/easy transportation to look for a new place, etc etc. I'd be surprised if you are even allowed to move in such a highly regulated society! If you do move, you'd better be damned sure that the neighbourhood you move to is Sunni, if you're Sunni, or Kurdish if you're a Kurd. And when the soldiers come, they're there till they want to leave!

Or protest the quartering of them in residential communities? Because the government does not allow it?

Yah, but remember king George MCCVIII (or who ever it was at the time of the American Revolution) was actually a pretty nice guy compared to Sadam. Oh, I know, nobody in Boston liked him 'cause he forced them to drink substandard tea at marked up prices, but at least the colonist could have an audience with him. Good ol' Ben and the boys went away empty handed, but at least they left with their hands still attached!! Sadam is known as the butcher of Bagdad, he has gassed entire populations, he was the one who sat outside of the Iraqi parlement and called the sitting members out one-by-one for public execution when he overthrew the previous regeme.

Now I don't know about you, but when I've got a wife who can be raped, several teenage daughters, and some boys old enough to be conscripted, I might not be so vocal about my displeasure with the king. Give me liberty or give me death is fine, unless the tyrant would rather murder your family before your eyes and then, just for a twist, let you live to dream of the terror every night for the rest of your life.

Hmmmm "Give me liberty or give me death", Patrick Henry---"Live free or Die", New Hampshire state moto.

Must be nice living in New Hampshire.

[ March 08, 2003, 21:02: Message edited by: jimbob ]