A Meaningful Life

The Neo conservatists in America and the UK (and John Howard) should have pushed to look at an Iraq regime immediately after the 1st gulf war. Doing in now has given Saddam unprecedented media focus, in the Arab world and exacerbate the pre-existing tendency for Muslims and westerners to polarize against each other. The more he was on TV the more difficult it became not to go to war as time passed. Why? Every month that went by Saddam grow stronger, gained more international focus, and built up more irreversible pride while the coalition collapsed. It fueled his belief that he was the hero of the Arab world standing up against the west. He probably envy’s Osama. Dictatorship is only about ego through power. Hitler was a dictator never held at bay by his own countries people. Other countries in Europe stood by knowing it could be a problem. Then it was all too late. A passive stance on Iraq legitimizes many things for Saddam. A 97% election win, killing and torturing to rule through fear, the invasion of other countries (Kuwait) and the use chemical weapons. Backing down by America & UK at any point after giving focus to Saddam in the global community was impossible. They forced themselves down a one way road. It would have sent an undeniable invitation to other potential dictators. The second that road was taken, no-one could turn back from war. This is why there are so many people now swinging back in favour who aren’t happy about the whole messy thing (me included) but we fear what the alternate cost is what we have just mentioned. It’s not that Saddam gets away with it if nothing happens its what other ‘potentials’ out there decide to do in the future. There’s plenty Saddam’s in the world they just need to be watered by the hose in-action and they might flourish. What do you do? I still don’t have an answer.