How does the world see this war

[gerbie]

An interesting story by Arundhati Roy in the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,927712,00.html

Thanks to habibi for this link.

Comments

hm

[aquariusmama.livejournal.com]

Well, I think the VAST majority of the article is a pile of shit. For all his talk about propaganda, that's all he bases his opinions on, it's ridiculous. I don't even know where to start! Oh, maybe with "Bush regime" that is the stupidest phrase I have ever heard. What the hell is the Bush Regime?? He goes on and on about the propaganda on American and British TV, but doesn't give an example, not ONE of what the "hallucinatory" proportions of it are. Do tell, please, just what is it that we are so blind to? Oh, I know, CLEARLY we should be listening to Al-Jeezera right? The Coalition forces were massacred at the airport? Is this where he gets the idea that our forces are suprised by the resistance?? I don't understand that, I haven't heard anything that I haven't expected. I can't imagine that our military wouldn't expect it. I would love to tear this article apart, bit by bit. It's so full of crap, it's laughable. BUT..I really don't have the time tonight, I just HAD to say something. I will try to come back to it.

Re: hm

[aquariusmama.livejournal.com]

wait, I mean SHE..right?

Re: hm

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

Yes. She is is a she :-)

Re: hm

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

"According to a New York Times/CBS News survey, 42 per cent of the American public believes that Saddam Hussein is directly responsible for the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon. And an ABC news poll says that 55 per cent of Americans believe that Saddam Hussein directly supports al-Qaida. What percentage of America's armed forces believe these fabrications is anybody's guess"

This doesn't really show that the general public is well informed, does it?

"They're using very old stock. Their missiles go up and come down. If so, may we ask how this squares with the accusation that the Iraqi regime is a paid-up member of the Axis of Evil and a threat to world peace?"

Imho a strong point. If you really do have all those weapons that Iraq supposingly has (THE reason they are invaded..), how come they don't use them? So the US is stronger, not really a surprise is it?

"Increasingly, on British and American TV, Iraqi soldiers are being referred to as "militia" (ie: rabble). One BBC correspondent portentously referred to them as "quasi-terrorists". Iraqi defence is "resistance" or worse still, "pockets of resistance", Iraqi military strategy is deceit. (The US government bugging the phone lines of UN security council delegates, reported by the Observer, is hard-headed pragmatism.)"

In different times this was called propaganda, I don't know how you want to call it?

Plenty of examples, she even goes on saying that she is defending the US when US-bashers talk to her hoping on confirmation.

I do not attack your right on an opinion, nor to be in favour of this war. But I'd expected you to be a bit more open-minded. An Indian author to me qualifies as an objective outsider. She doesn't support Saddam Hussein anywhere, she just states her opinion. And you call it full of crap? Perhaps the propaganda has gotten to you more than you realise.

Re: hm

[aquariusmama.livejournal.com]

AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! I just typed this huge response and the whole damn thing was lost to an ERROR!! aaaaaa! I can't believe that just happened.
Alright. So here goes, short and to the point.

I wrote my comment last night after watching a bunch war stuff on TV. I had just seen what had been playing on Iraqi TV and Al-Jeezera and I was in a mood.

Anyway, I don't think her whole article is crap after re-reading it. I agree with her on quite a few things, but I disagree too. AND I just totally outlined all of my thoughts in a really GOOD comment to you that I just lost!!!! I am so mad, it's all Saddam's fault if ya ask me.
Anyway, I'm not going to write it all out again, because frankly, I've wasted a good chunk of my day doing that and looking up facts and links too. GRRRRRR..

You're right, I overreacted. I really did want to tell you exactly what I objected to though. I just REALLY don't want to retype it all. Maybe later, I'm sure it's going to annoy me now ;P

Re: hm

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

I believe you on your word. I know you wouldn't agree with it all, I also know that there is plenty of common sense in you to really read it well. So you have now. Don't bother having to prove it, your word is good enough for me. We shouldn't let this take over our lives, however strange it is, it is far from you and from me, tomorrow for us will be a regular monday again.

Re: hm

[aquariusmama.livejournal.com]

You are absolutely right, it's taken up enough of my Sunday for sure. Still, I really wanted to say all those things I typed in my response, but I'm so stupid...I went to post the comment and I had done it all on line..it was too long and when I went back it was GONE. I should've thought of that, but I haven't been that long winded since somewhere near 9/11 and I forgot about the word limits!!
I really am tired of all this stuff and how much it tends to get to me sometimes.

Re: hm

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

Please don't let it get to you. Think of yourself as well!