Letters on US war against Iraq

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WSWS : News & Analysis : Middle East : Iraq

Letters on US war against Iraq

27 March 2003

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The following is a selection of recent letters on the US war against Iraq.

[On “The crisis of American capitalism and the war against Iraq”]

Thank you!

I have never read anything so in tune with what is going on. This is real journalism with foresight! I have felt and known these things but could not adequately focus these thoughts into viable versions as they are truly complex. Thank you for doing this, you are truly brilliant to be able to see through the machinations of hyperbole.

22 March 2003

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I have never been “proud” to be an American, given its long and bloody history. But I can truly say that after the Bush junta has launched genocide on Iraq, if no one is ashamed and angry to be an American, then they need to seek psychiatric help. I also believe that it is more than high time that we should seriously think about bringing the Bush and Blair governments to answer for these crimes in front of the International Criminal Court and throw them together in a cozy little cell, where they’ll have the rest of their lives to try and think about what they’re doing not just to the Iraqi people but the rest of the world.

Keep up the struggle.

Iowa

22 March 2003

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Wow, I really liked your article, “The crisis of American capitalism and the war against Iraq.” I share the same opinions with you regarding this war, and now I finally hear something that really makes a lot more sense. I’m tired of hearing the media make fools out of the American people and give them false information. I would be really interested what you have to say regarding the media and how the government is using the media to run its war campaign. Thanks.

22 March 2003

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Just a note to say that I appreciate your efforts to keep us all conscious. Keep up the good work!

Minneapolis

22 March 2003

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Hello,

I’d just like to say that “The crisis of American capitalism and the war against Iraq” is an absolutely brilliant piece, which perfectly sums up the appalling situation in the US and the world and puts the US invasion of Iraq into accurate historical context. In a perfect world, this article would be published in every newspaper and on every web site. I’ve been reading the WSWS for about two years now and I am consistently impressed with the quality and accuracy of the writing.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

22 March 2003

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David North,

This could not be for real, or maybe it is for real seeing it is George W. Bush on American TV telling the Iraqis to treat any prisoners they take according to the Geneva Convention or they will be prosecuted for war crimes. From the biggest war crime perpetrator George W. Bush who shows contempt for all conventions ratified or not by the American Congress.

Sincerely,

24 March 2003

I just hope there are people there to document the ongoing massacre in Iraq. There can be no justice for these events, they are too cruel and evil. But I can only hope that the propaganda that is used, and the ease with which these events are forgotten, will change, forcing those in charge to take responsibility. I think there should be war crime charges against those in charge, and in Vietnam, it took years. So let’s keep trying to get to the truth, and let them not do this in Iraq and get away with it. Thank you for your honest report, and I am sickened when I hear about the Geneva Convention violations that Iraq is committing. This whole war is a human rights violation to begin with, and the US started it! But we forget that.

26 March 2003

The mass media’s coverage of September 11, compared to the gloating coverage of the fiery inferno in Baghdad, is indefensible. We’ve been treated to self-serving segments of a few Iraqis fraternizing with US soldiers, one of them slapping a portrait of Saddam with a shoe. In the interest of the “fair and balanced” reporting that the “free press” claims to provide, I’m waiting to see the footage of Iraqi bombing victims covered in blood, bile, vomit and feces who might not be as enthusiastic about their “liberation.” The censors’ apologists claim that they are simply trying to avoid offending anyone’s sensibilities, although I’d be happier if they’d stop insulting my intelligence.

The public is routinely exposed to violence, most notably in Hollywood films. Ridley Scott’s cinematic romp through Somalia spared us no carnage, aside from the world-famous scenes of a Green Beret’s body being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. Mel Gibson’s jingoistic When We Were Heroes treated us to graphic footage of a burned soldier’s flesh slipping from his bones as another person tried to move him. The only difference is that in both of these films the violence was part of an overt attempt to reprogram the public’s perception of past wars, and to prepare them for new ones.

The public can certainly stomach images of Iraqi civilians running through the streets in terror as buildings explode around them. The only problem is that it would resonate too strongly with the unforgettable scenes of September 11.

24 March 2003

Dear Editor,

Although I am a Jeffersonian and political libertarian your articles on the war are very, very accurate. The Bush administration has brought shame to our once great Republic. This unprovoked blitzkrieg has now completed the transition to the new Imperial Empire with a new Caesar and his sycophants at his side.

Attacking a defenseless and weak nation to acquire its natural resources and conquer its people should be appalling to anyone, socialist, libertarian or even “conservative.” This war would disgust the American Founding Fathers such as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The complete transformation of their republic based on the principles of the Enlightenment is now been morphed into an empire based on the principles of world domination, conquest and imperialism. Keep up the good work. All people who love freedom and oppose imperialism should stand together against this ugly and immoral war. Thanks for your voice.

Sincerely,

22 March 2003

Mr. Martin covered all the bases, except the funding bill that Bush wants Congress to pass. Reportedly the cost is $75 billion, and funds the war for one month. Obviously the war will last longer than that (and the aftermath much longer). It should be noted that administration officials were denying a figure of $90-100 billion as too large, but refused to give a figure before the invasion was under way. Furthermore, Bush only finally admitted that the war could be “longer and harder than some people expect” the day after the war began.

Listening to the BBC, I am hearing Wolfowitz say the lack of people in the streets warmly greeting US troops (like in WWII) was only because they were afraid of Saddam’s regime. Although this is possible, I think probably the US will be viewed as invaders, not liberators—time will tell. Since the US battle plan was dependent upon Iraqis not putting up popular resistance, this is a bad omen for the “coalition.”

I look forward next month to Bush again approaching Congress for at least an additional $50 billion for the next month, and then approaching Congress for an additional $50 billion for the next month, and so on. I think President Bush is going to get increasingly sour and grumpy as this invasion drags on with no exit strategy. Already Wall Street is realizing that the war isn’t going to be quick or easy.

If the US invasion goes smoothly, Bush will be emboldened to try it again in North Korea, Iran, Syria, and so on.

25 March 2003

I believe that Bush, along with my Prime Minister Howard, are going to go down in history as war criminals for this.

Has anyone actually asked the Iraqis if they wanted to be liberated?

25 March 2003

The video of the American POWs is of great interest to many Americans. The major news stations won’t broadcast it here in the United States, but the whole Middle East is watching. The reason given is that the Pentagon has told the news networks not to show it. If this isn’t government censorship, I don’t know what is. I was a diehard supporter of the US and its agencies; now I have turned a cold shoulder to them and their censors. Please help get the word out. If the news media won’t show this on behalf of the government, what else are we not seeing? Or even better, what are the news outlets telling us on behalf of the government? Please, let’s get the word out there.

New Jersey

23 March 2003

Thank you for the courage to write what “our mainstream” media is not willing or honest enough to inform the public.

I am really very curious as to whether the administration/media will ever tell the American people, what they cynically term “collateral damage,” but what I chose to call carnage. Do you think they will ever tell the truth?

I am not “holding my breath,” but I am depending on you to inform the American people, because it is my belief that if the truth were known, there might have been an outside chance that the preemption might have been prevented!

Thanks for being there.

22 March 2003

Yesterday I cut my “New Labour Party” card up into tiny pieces and sent it to my MP so that she would have the opportunity to put them in her waste bin where they belong. I have been a member of the party for 30 years and am absolutely disgusted at the actions of Tony Blair in going against the UN and standing alongside George Bush, who after all held onto the US presidency in very dubious circumstances. Today I watched the bombing of Baghdad and the utter carnage displayed on the TV and felt sick at what is going on in my name as a British citizen.

22 March 2003

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