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[ Presenting plain-text part of multi-format email ] In a message dated 11/11/03 4:03:24 AM Pacific Standard Time, Muhamed.Ali@Hackney.gov.uk writes: > They are abusing the freedom of > expression in both new Iraq and abroad. Typical of the Occupation Authority mentality. Clearly you don't get the concept of "freedom of expression." What it means, is "freedom of expression," as opposed to "freedom to express that which you find palatable." You accuse others of being apologists for that which you find horrific (we do too) all the while apologizing for the horror of war perpetrated on the people of Iraq, the destruction of the culture by the Occupation, and the continuing marginalization of another society by Imperialistic and capitalistic forces. The postings you dislike (whichever they are, seldom do you quote) are not apologizing for Saddam, that is a simplistic interpretation of the content, rather they are speaking out against violence- all violence. I have never, in the last two years of daily readings, read anything on this list that was Pro-Saddam. I find the man to be a vicious tyrant, but no less vicious than those who strangle a society through the most brutal sanctions regime in modern history, weekly bombings, and finally invasion and occupation. So, while you accuse others of apologizing for the tyrant, you in fact YOURSELF are apologizing for the warmakers and stranglers through the argument that the "ends justify the means." The primary problem with your notion, other than its moral bankruptcy, is that those "means" are killing individuals and terrorizing an entire society. Frankly I don't see where your conduct is any different from the fantastic assertions that you are making of others on this list, other than of course no one is apologizing for Saddam, simply attempting to add context to the discussion. Roger Stroope Northern Arizona University Flagstaff USA In response to reporters and critics queries during the first Gulf War; "I firmly believed we should not march into Baghdad ...To occupy Iraq would instantly shatter our coalition, turning the whole Arab world against us and make a broken tyrant, into a latter-day Arab hero …" George H. W. Bush (41) "...assigning young soldiers to a fruitless hunt for a securely entrenched dictator and condemning them to fight in what would be an unwinnable urban guerrilla war." George H. W. Bush (41) In response to reporters query relating to attacks against US service people; "Bring 'em on!" George W. Bush (43) July 3, 2003 _______________________________________________ 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