The following is an archived copy of a message sent to a Discussion List run by the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
Views expressed in this archived message are those of the author, not of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq.
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"It is not fast food that these peaceniks oppose, but civilisation and life - as it should be lived. They have made their stance clear. Let us now make ours." D.V., Texas, friend of D.Z. Dear Ghazwan & List, Thanks, it really made my day, you asking me to get in touch again. I've been following CASI correspondence, including yours. But CASI & I, mutually, needed holidays away from each other. You ask me to provide you with latest human rights reports, re. the occupation (of Iraq). With the best will in the world, what could I possibly say to, even to a minor degree, measure up to first-hand experiences of those living through it all? Not, I'm afraid, very much. Whereas I'm living in relative security & comfort, not having to worry where my next meal is coming from, the situation in Iraq is totally different. May I share some simple impressions (you will, of course, correct any errors!)? Iraq has been repressively ruled, over many years/decades. The wars, including with Iran, plus sanctions, have resulted in struggling for life being the norm. Now, the reality is military occupation. Infra-structures, law & order, have all broken down. It probably helps very little that thousands of serious criminals were released by Saddam. But not only those, nor the tens of thousands of soldiers are the only sources of trouble. Many ordinary people are taking advantage of the weaknesses, and, to a great extent, anarchy prevails. Women & girls dare hardly venture outside their homes, even during daytime. If you get a taxi, is the driver genuine, or a gangster? Sigmund Freud, the psycho-analyst, wrote of "the thin veneer of civilisation." In Iraq, that veneer has been destroyed. It will take much time, resources & determination to repair the ruinous state of Iraq. Do you, & fellow Iraqis, believe it can be done? Meaning re-building bridges, schools, sewers, hospitals, homes, shops, factories & everything else required for a civilised society. And, not least, human relations, without which nothing can function. If you do, and if genuine assistance is offered, internationally, then there is hope. These were merely some imperfect thoughts, from one who has never been to Iraq. Then there are the business ventures, e.g. McDonald's, which not only contribute to exploitation of the local population, they also - hand-in-hand with military conquest - infuse Western "culture" into Iraq. Whilst all this is going on, I almost detect some eerie laughter, from the wings. Could it be "Ronald McDonald", the burger- clown &, since decades, bizarre representative of McDonald's? Let him peddle his gory wares elsewhere! _________________________________________________________________ Use MSN Messenger to send music and pics to your friends http://www.msn.co.uk/messenger _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. To unsubscribe, visit http://lists.casi.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/casi-discuss To contact the list manager, email casi-discuss-admin@lists.casi.org.uk All postings are archived on CASI's website: http://www.casi.org.uk