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War Crimes in Iraq
[…] “shock and awe” bombing raids indiscriminately killed 15 – 35,000 people and injured untold others. This is an offence under article 8, schedule 6 of the ICC statute, enacted by the UK in 2001, which outlaws: (a)(iii) “wilfully causing great suffering”; (a)(iv) “extensive destruction and appropriation of property”; (b)(ii) “intentionally directing attacks against civilian objects” and; (b)(iv) “launching an attack in the knowledge that it will cause incidental loss of life”.
Tony Blair admitted in parliament (Hansard, March 23 2002): “If there is conflict there will be civilian casualties”; proving he knew the attack would kill or injure civilians.
[discussion of the sanctions] Madeleine Albright proved genocidal intent when, told that 460,000 children had died as a result of the sanctions, she said: “It is a price worth paying.”
[…]
Michael Mansfield QC
Dr James Thring
Legal Action Against War
The Confusion Squid has many tentacles
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.....we are left with the sole excuse that the value of Democracy is worth the price paid in Iraqi lives.
If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh
The Confusion Squid has many tentacles
Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"
Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"
The Confusion Squid has many tentacles
Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"
The Confusion Squid has many tentacles
If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh
Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"
Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"
The Confusion Squid has many tentacles
Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"
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my rant above was more about the degree to which our supposedly representative democracy has been revealed as a total facade
If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh
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[the previous post] commented that despite living in a 'democracy' we don't always do what the majority of people want.
The US, UK and Australia all have systems of government based on democratic election. That doesn't mean we live in a democracy where the majority decides what is best course of action in every case. Would you want to live in a system where that was true? Lynch mobs are true democracy in action.
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In our oh-so-wonderful democracy, we have no legal way to stop our government from perpetrating atrocities in our name, and no legal recourse to condemn them in the aftermath.
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It is clear to me that the invasion of Iraq was both illegal and immoral.
"Switching between different kinds of chuu chuu sometimes gives this "urgh wtf?" effect because it's giving people the phi phenomenon."
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[the previous post] commented that despite living in a 'democracy' we don't always do what the majority of people want.
The US, UK and Australia all have systems of government based on democratic election. That doesn't mean we live in a democracy where the majority decides what is best course of action in every case. Would you want to live in a system where that was true? Lynch mobs are true democracy in action.
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OK, Guantanamo Bay isn't good, i agree. But compare it to human rights abuses in places such as China, Uzbekistan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Sri Lanka etc.
As you have pointed out, some of these nations go about the abuse and torture of thousands of innocents, without censure. While the US is being vilified for locking up a few religious fanatics who fired upon their forces.
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With regards to Tony Blair twisting the truth to suit his own PR ends.
Well what a surprise that was. He's never done that before
The Confusion Squid has many tentacles
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Anyway, the people we have elected are supposed to 'represent' us. I definately don't think that this always means pandering to the lowest common denominator, but in a situation where so many of the citizens of the country object to a possible course of action, and the course of action IS illegal (as you say, we're pretty much above the law... doesn't it make you feel oh so good about yourself? And just 'cos we can flout it doesn't change the fact it IS illegal... surely that's obvious?), and it means undermining the UN... and so on and on... then the government should listen to their people. Sorry, that was a bit of a long sentence.
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As we both said, it looks like the alternative to Blair is Howard, who is just worse, so any semblance of 'self-determination' we claim to possess is nothing more than that... a semblance. I agree that it's a good thing, and definately Saddam being out of power is a good thing... but 35,000 civilians killed? And as far as telling them that they have to live their way now, are we not coming up with a ludicrous 'caucasus' plan to prevent the resurgence of Islamic government in Iraq, and selling off their oil/development rights to allied companies?
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As to the Us being vilified for "locking up a few religious fanatics who fired upon their forces" - you must know it's about more than that. Most of the detainees haven't even been charged, some have been let go after two years in prison without ever having been charged.
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Ray, I not intentionally bashing the US; it's just that the US is leading this assult of freedom, truth and democracy. Now, when is the US et al gunna turn their swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks???
Quote:Hehe Joe, have I tought you nothing?? Use (... it makes a much better C than < hehe atleast to me
So long as we impeach the fu
Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"
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Joe: Anyway, the people we have elected are supposed to 'represent' us
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Ray: A republic is where everyone votes about the smelly sewer pipes a democracy is when you vote for some to vote for you.
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Joe: as you say, we're [The UK is] pretty much above the law... doesn't it make you feel oh so good about yourself? And just 'cos we can flout it doesn't change the fact it IS illegal... surely that's obvious?
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Joe: That our heads of state aren't accountable for their actions through internal process is definately a failing of government. That it is shared by most governments doesn't make it better. Both Switzerland and Holland have internal accountability processes, though I don't know what or much more than that - will do some more looking into it.
"Switching between different kinds of chuu chuu sometimes gives this "urgh wtf?" effect because it's giving people the phi phenomenon."
Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"
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Simian, why is the chance of you being elected so low? Frankly anyone can get support if they try hard enough. In my opinion if you truly want something, you will go out and get it.
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Well if you stick a bug up a PM's arse then you start violating human rights... right?
"Switching between different kinds of chuu chuu sometimes gives this "urgh wtf?" effect because it's giving people the phi phenomenon."
Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"
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In my home state of New Mexico, it is perfectly legal to speed if you do not get caught. This makes radar/laser detectors and radar/laser jammers legal. So yes there are laws that are made to be broken.
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in the US a parolee does not have 4th Amendment rights. (the basic human rights granted by the US constitution). In order to get on parole they must sign a paper waving their rights..... kinda interesting ehh?
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That mean that neither Joe or myself are ever likely to be in a position of political power
But there's no sense crying over every mistake. You just keep on trying till you run out of cake.
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Just to finish, I've decided that I'm going into politics. I plan to argue with as many people as possible and start insulting them as childishly as i can get away with. At least that way, I should have the backing of everyone who reads the Sun
Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"
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more than 13% of African Americans are not allowed to vote
"Switching between different kinds of chuu chuu sometimes gives this "urgh wtf?" effect because it's giving people the phi phenomenon."
Some Jarhead last night: "this dumb a$$ thinks hes fireproof"
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