In article dh88c.2205$wg1.816@edtnps84,
wrote:

In us.military.army Chad Irby wrote:

Basic feedoms? The you mean the freedom of press, the freedom to
vote, the freedom to have access to water and power, the freedom
to walk the streets without fear?

You mean the freedoms they actually have LESS of than they did under
Saddam?

Other than the fact that *everything* in this comment was false, it sure
gives away your priorities... since they had *none* of those things
under Saddam Hussein.

Incorrect. Under Saddam, and before the American-backed embargo, Iraqis
had some of the best infrastructure in the ME, including, but not limited
to, universal health care,

....which was terrible, except for the ruling elites. Most of that
"universal health care" consisted of telling people they couldn't get
any treatment.

universal education,

....as long as it told the students that Saddam was wonderful.

and stability.

The stability that comes with fear.

There were definitely problems, due to Saddam's heavy hand,

"Heavy hand?" Sheesh, you must have broken your euphemism generator
with that bit of text. "Horrible, bloody dictator's hand, with
thousands of murders by the government, topped off with torture" is more
appropriate.

but women were able to walk
the streets without fear of rape,

You're out of your mind.

and there was clean water.

Less than now, actually. Along with power. Although they're starting
to have power problems, because non-government people are able to get
such luxuries as refrigerators and air conditioners without having to
bribe someone in charge. Iraqis are buying more cars per *month* than
they used to buy in a *year*. TV and satellite dish sales are
skyrocketing (you couldn't get those before the war, either).

In any case, I don't need to condemn this dishonest and ill-conceived war -
There are enough of your own officials doing it.

Take it up with the Iraqis. About 2/3 of *them* think it was a good
thing, and most of the rest are neutral about it.

--
cirby at cfl.rr.com

Remember: Objects in rearview mirror may be hallucinations.
Slam on brakes accordingly.