Dan Minette wrote: > Are you suggesting that the people of Iraq were better off before the > invasion. What measure would you give of that?
I don't know if Andrew was suggesting that but that argument *can* be made: Law and order - They lived under a repressive state but they were used to that set up. Currently, they are not sure of who their enemies are or how to reduce the risk factor in their lives. This uncertainty can get tiring after an year. Electricity, oil, kerosene, employment etc. - Far more readily available before the invasion. Add to that the fact that the occupying power neither speaks their language nor understands their culture and society, throw in the midnight raids and the large-scale arrests one keeps on reading about, remember the fact that earlier they knew whom to approach and bribe for information and now they don't....and you do come up with a picture which, in many ways, is more unsettled than the picture under Saddam. It is all well and good that he is gone and that the Iraqis may actually be able to enjoy democracy one day in the future. However, I doubt that makes living in such turmoil any easier on a day-to-day basis. Out of curiousity, you mentioned one year ago that if the number of dead crosses the 10,000 mark, you would consider the cost too high. So how do you feel about the invasion and the occupation today? :) Ritu _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
