As The Humanitarian Crisis In Iraq

[Guthrie]

Link

Silence of the hawks

As the humanitarian crisis in Iraq goes from bad to worse, the war propagandists are turning to more trivial matters.

The International Red Cross warned this week that the humanitarian crisis in Iraq is getting even worse. At the same, time a major academic study by the Oxford Research Group concludes that the illegal US/UK invasion has "spawned new terror" in the region. In the light of the latest damning evidence of the consequences of the invasion, what has been the reaction of the lap-top bombadiers who five years ago so energetically propagandised for war? I've been trawling the web to find out.

Melanie Phillips, the "moralist" who condemns teenage youths for smashing up bus shelters but not coalition forces for smashing up Iraq, makes no mention of either report on her website this week.

Ditto William Shawcross and Nick Cohen, self-appointed scourge of the anti-war left.

David Aaronovitch has kept his silence too (perhaps he's in training for another London marathon), as has Andrew Roberts, the "talented historian" who argued that we could equate sanctions-devastated Iraq (including its non-existent air force and its Dad's Army) with Nazi Germany at its peak.

Harry's Place, favourite watering hole of "pro-liberation left" prefers to discuss road rage, school history syllabuses and union-made hoodies.

Daniel Finkelstein of The Times has discovered an interest in mediums.

Stephen Pollard informs us that he's been reading Norman Lebrecht's Maestros and Madness: The Secret Life and Shameful Death of the Classical Record Industry. The Daily Telegraph's 'Neo' Con Coughlin, who regaled us with tales of Saddam's deadly armoury, has turned his attention to Russian bear-baiting.

Across the pond, Andrew Sullivan opines about shopping bags, while David 'Axis of Evil' Frum tells us about his grandfather.

Mark Steyn, who once accused anti-war demonstrators of having blood on their hands, focuses on the trial of his old mentor, Conrad Black.

Down Under, Tim Blair, who in 2004 ridiculed claims that the future in Iraq was "frightening", shares his thoughts on Alaskan sea otters.

From all these people, not a single word about either the International Red Cross or the Oxford Research Group reports. How very different it was four years ago! On the day that Saddam's statue toppled in Baghdad, the neo-cons couldn't wait to brag about the "success" of the war they had so enthusiastically supported. This was William Shawcross, writing in the Wall Street Journal:

April 9 - Liberation Day! What a wonderful, magnificent, emotional occasion - one that will live in legend like the fall of the Bastille, V-E Day or the fall of the Berlin Wall. Watching the tearing down of Saddam Hussein's towering statue in Baghdad was a true Ozymandias moment. All those smart Europeans who ridiculed George Bush and denigrated his idea that there was actually a better future for the Iraqi people - they will now have to think again."

Really, William? Since the illegal invasion, an estimated 600,000 people have lost their lives in Iraq. Twice as many people have died in Iraq in the last four years as were killed in the previous 23 years under Saddam. The only people who need to "think again" are not those "smart Europeans" who opposed the war, but those far from "smart" people who faithfully parroted - for whatever reasons - the official US/UK propaganda.

Forget mediums, shopping bags and union-made hoodies: it's apologies that we really want.

del.icio.us | Digg it | Tailrank | Reddit | Newsvine | Now Public | Technorati

This entry was tagged with the following keywords: neocons iraq

Int Red Cross

Oxford Research Group

I guess when it stops being a game, they suddenly hear their moms' calling them home

[sharkman]

Gee I hope you do more than just read British papers, they are full of the left. Then again, that's where you are coming from too so I guess it suits you.

[Guthrie]

Gee I hope you do more than just read British papers, they are full of the left. Then again, that's where you are coming from too so I guess it suits you.

Guys who pay attention to crap like Fox, Washington Times, Drudge, Frontpage or Axis Annie shouldn't start comparing reading materials.

[sharkman]

Gee I hope you do more than just read British papers, they are full of the left. Then again, that's where you are coming from too so I guess it suits you.

Guys who pay attention to crap like Fox, Washington Times, Drudge, Frontpage or Axis Annie shouldn't start comparing reading materials.

You have no idea what I read. Good try though.

[ScottSA]

Gee I hope you do more than just read British papers, they are full of the left. Then again, that's where you are coming from too so I guess it suits you.

Guys who pay attention to crap like Fox, Washington Times, Drudge, Frontpage or Axis Annie shouldn't start comparing reading materials.

Woody, you are as stupid as Waz. Not as rude or flatulent, but more bovine and clumsy. You sort of sway through threads chewing your cud, until a flybite or something goads you into saying something particularly stupid, whereupon you are beaten senseless and don't even realize it. Your defenmce to documented proof is simple. You close your eyes and plug your ears and shout "lalalalala", or, if you're feeling clever, you say "that's a lie".

[Guthrie]

Gee I hope you do more than just read British papers, they are full of the left. Then again, that's where you are coming from too so I guess it suits you.

Guys who pay attention to crap like Fox, Washington Times, Drudge, Frontpage or Axis Annie shouldn't start comparing reading materials.

You have no idea what I read. Good try though.

quit kidding yourself, you're transparent and anybody on this board can look up where you get your information

http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index....ndpost&p=171287

http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index....ndpost&p=141599

http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index....ndpost&p=141599

http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index....ndpost&p=205745

http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index....indpost&p=98777

So, yes I do have an idea what you read.

[sharkman]

Uh, yeah, I'm aware what I've made some links to, and therefore your predisposition to scorn. But a few titles does not a reading list make, my friend. I don't read the Washington Times, Fox, Annie or Frontpage, whatever that is. But if you start a thread bash on a left wing editorial, be prepared to be called on it.

It appears that you have too much time on your hands. Maybe you should read more.

[BubberMiley]

Woody, you are as stupid as Waz. Not as rude or flatulent, but more bovine and clumsy. You sort of sway through threads chewing your cud, until a flybite or something goads you into saying something particularly stupid, whereupon you are beaten senseless and don't even realize it. Your defenmce to documented proof is simple. You close your eyes and plug your ears and shout "lalalalala", or, if you're feeling clever, you say "that's a lie".

You think spewing ad hominems is beating him senseless? I'd say you're proving his point. You should actually try debating rather than just call people stupid. It makes for a more compelling argument.

[Guthrie]

Uh, yeah, I'm aware what I've made some links to, and therefore your predisposition to scorn. But a few titles does not a reading list make, my friend. I don't read the Washington Times, Fox, Annie or Frontpage, whatever that is. But if you start a thread bash on a left wing editorial, be prepared to be called on it.

It appears that you have too much time on your hands. Maybe you should read more.

and yet you cite them all -- no, "methinks he doth protesteth too much"

and yes, I agree, it does not make up your entire list - nor do I care what magazines you stack under your bed

but I do have an idea of what you read -- contrary to your original claim

[PolyNewbie]

ScottSA:Woody, you are as stupid as Waz. Not as rude or flatulent, but more bovine and clumsy.

ScottSA, you are dumber than a post and have the arrogance of a king. When are you going to stop polluting this forum with your nonsense and ignorance ?

[ScottSA]

ScottSA:Woody, you are as stupid as Waz. Not as rude or flatulent, but more bovine and clumsy.

ScottSA, you are dumber than a post and have the arrogance of a king. When are you going to stop polluting this forum with your nonsense and ignorance ?

Perhaps you should host a poll as to which one of us is "polluting this forum with [] nonsense and ignorance".

[geoffrey]

So there is a humanitarian crisis... interesting. So when do we get involved and help out?

Or do we just sit back and laugh at the Iraqis! "Haha! Silly Republicans! Look at everyone suffering!"

[Black Dog]

Perhaps you should host a poll as to which one of us is "polluting this forum with [] nonsense and ignorance".

I vote "all of the above". If this was a cheesy '80s sitcom, you two would be totally making out by now.

[ScottSA]

Perhaps you should host a poll as to which one of us is "polluting this forum with [] nonsense and ignorance".

I vote "all of the above". If this was a cheesy '80s sitcom, you two would be totally making out by now.

And whose leg would you be humping by now?