fiddle2 entry

Date: 2003-03-07 12:18:44 (Author: trav)
Link: http://travis.kroh.net/archives/001269.php

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"So if you in America consider Osama bin Laden a hero, we are not jealous of him. And if the Arabs consider him a hero, we are not jealous of him. Jealousy is for women. And men are not supposed to be jealous of one another. "

     - Saddam Hussein's translator, in an interview with Dan Rather

I'm not entirely sure what to make of this. First of all, I realize how frustrating it must be for our government to have to work with someone like Hussein--a man who tells lies to his people and the world, shows no restraint in his actions, and does and says things that serve no purpose but to complicate the process of achieving common good. It pisses me off that he can't be more forthcoming and rational. By the same token, however, he makes some good points. He highlights his faith in God, his intent for peace, and his loyalty to his country. One is tempted to buy into a little naivete and almost believe it. I resist this temptation and mark it all as bullshit until I've seen reason to do otherwise, but what really hit me was his propsal of a internationally live broadcast debate.

Hussein, no matter how crazy, is a brilliant man. The fact that he uses his brilliance to be an asshole doesn't degrade the quantifiable strategic skill by which he accomplishes he goals, and if I were him, and I took so much as a quick look at our president, I'd want a live, uncensored debate with President Bush, too. Dubya would be ripped apart. Anyone who's ever seen him speak knows it, including Hussein, the American people, and, most importantly, the American government. I'm not proposing that it's a good idea, as I don't think this is the way these sorts of things should be solved, I'm just pointing out that President Bush's verbal immaturity is a big issue in foreign affairs. What I am saying is that I agree with Saddam Hussein when he says

I believe that it is the right of the American people, the Iraqi people and the world that we show our evidence clearly so that they can see for themselves. So, why should we hide from the people? Why shouldn’t we show them both perspectives? We as Presidents -- President of the United States, and President of Iraq. This is what I am calling for. We will either make peace, and this is what we hope for -- and spare our people harm, or whoever decides anything other than peace, will have to convince his own people with the facts. This is the -- the gist of my proposal, my idea.

Again, maybe not through a live televised debate, regardless of the incompetence of our president's speaking ability, as I don't think this how these things should be settled, I'm but I do think that if our present trend of action was the best way, there would be more support outside of President Bush's cabinet. If there is something we don't know that might convice us, bring forth, otherwise, modify the trend.