The US-led coalition promised to bring democracy and freedom to Iraq. After many months there is still no peace in Iraq, no freedom, no democracy. And finally Saddam Hussein – surely a cruel person – was executed. But is the capital punishment a sign for democracy or justice? While I guess many (although not all) US-Americans would agree, I strongly disagree. No one, including a state and its representatives has the right to kill people for whatever reason and under whatever circumstances. Surely this somehwhat spoils the “fun” of war, since killing people is one of the core elements of it, but on the other hand I’d argue that the civil population of any war region in this world would surely agree with me. Killing is inhumane, even killing tyrants!
So what have we gained from the death of the dictator? Satisfaction? Some may. But remember that even Jalal Talabani, of Kurdish ethnicity and therefore member of the group most affected by Saddam Husseins raids, vowed against the execution of Hussein – he is the current president of Iraq. Now that is what I call a man with principles! He has my full respect! However, a certain leader from the other side of the globe, Mr. Bush, leaned back in satisfaction as his enemy was hanged. I guess this was in revenge for daddy’s miserable failure during Desert Storm, when Saddam Hussein stayed in power?!
I don’t know how many simple people – soldiers in these wars – have to give their lives on either side for a reason unknown to them and their beloved ones. Or even worse, for a reason which turns out to be a big lie. When will the so-called politicians (I’d rather call them warlords) see that there is no simple math in death tolls. One dead on one side does not require revenge by killing one on the other. Are we civilized yet?!
Why, of course, the people don’t want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship.
[…]
Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.
… once more this 60 year old quote proves to be true. And it was another tyrant who spoke these true words: Hermann Goering.
// Oliver