On Thu, 12 May 2005 21:55:07 -0400, JDG wrote > Well, let me help you out:
Thank you. I was asking *because* I was having a hard time with it. More below. > -number of political prisoners Definitely. > -number of people subjected to torture (yes, even *with* Abu Ghraib) Indeed. > -number of people able to practice their religion freely Hmmm. I guess. I don't know what Saddam's track record was on that, nor how free people are in a practical sense, given all that's going on... but they're certainly free in principle. > -number of people able to petition their government for redresss of grievances I don't know anything about that in the past or current situation. > -number of people who cast free ballots in the last election Well... we'll see how that works out for them. It is a step in the right direction, however. > -number of victims of systematic ethnic cleansing Hmm. But more people are dying. > And I am sure you can come up with more..... Now that you've helped me -- I really was looking for help, not an argument. Believe me, I want to see every bit of good that we're doing over there -- our family paid a high price, after all. I've been having a hard time seeing the good in it all... which isn't unusual when something hits home so hard... and I wish you'd believe that I wasn't just trying to argue, but really wanted your help in seeing. > Again, Nick, after all, Saddam Hussein's regime was one of the 5 > worst regimes on Earth. Whose ranking? Unless you believe that Iraq is *stil* one > of the 5 worst regimes on Earth, then I am *sure* that you can come > up with something - if you are willing to be honest about it. It really had nothing to do with honesty in the usual sense. It has to do with the world looking like a lousy rotten place when a wonderful 21-year old gets blown to bits, whatever the reasons. I don't want to see the world that way, I want to find joy and whatever comfort I can take in the mission he was on... it's just hard. I wish I could explain better, but I don't think anybody can really grasp it unless some real tragedy like this has hit them. Surely, however, there have been times in your life when you struggled to see the bright side of things? That's why I said, "enlighten me." It wasn't sarcastic, it was a bit of a pun... the whole thing seems heavy and oppressive these days and I don't sleep all that well the more I read about the situation over there. Clear enough? Nick _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
