looting in Iraq

[low_delta]

Military officials said that their priority regarding the looters was to protect essential services, such as power stations. After that came such facilities as hospitals. So why were the hospitals being looted and why were their troops surrounding the Ministry of Oil?

Comments

[caught-napping.livejournal.com]

Essential to us or essential to them?

I don't think the administration really cares about what is essential for the Iraqi people. If they would they wouldn't have punished them with sanctions for the past decade. The sanctions did little to slow down Saddam Hussein but they created alot of suffering for the people of Iraq.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Do you really think the sanctions didn't slow him down? Seems like he had little military development since the Gulf War.

[caught-napping.livejournal.com]

The effects on Saddam's Regime were minimal in comparison to the humanitarian crisis they created for the Iraqi people.

Studies have shown that in the decade after the gulf war the child mortality rate was more than twice as high as it was the decade prior.

http://www.unicef.org/newsline/99pr29.htm

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I think law enforcement would tell you that in a hostage situation you must never take an action that would endanger the hostage, unless there is a greater threat to more people.

I'm not trying to justify any particular actions, merely to provide perspective. I mean, there are factors which must be balanced. I'm not saying they were properly balanced.

[caught-napping.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I understand your position from the hostage comparision.

My position, however (mis)informed I may be, is that U.S. actions, with regard to the nation of Iraq, have been contemptible from the start.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

well dammit. now I don't remember. And can't figure out what I meant, either.

Re:

[caught-napping.livejournal.com]

That's OK. I never know what I mean half the time either.