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by Bigfoot
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 7:24 PM
By Adil Awadh. Adil Awadh, an Iraqi doctor, worked in a military hospital in Iraq from 1994 to 1996. He is an independent member of the Iraqi National Congress and lives in the Washington area.
Published March 9, 2003.
As an Iraqi refugee who has experienced firsthand the horrors of Saddam Hussein's despotic reign in Iraq, it's difficult for me to watch hundreds of thousands of people marching in the streets of America and Europe voicing their disapproval of the war plans to liberate my besieged homeland. As I watch these images roll across my TV screen, I wonder how these protests appear to various audiences in Iraq. I wonder how much pain these rallies cause those Iraqis whose tongues were mercilessly cut off by Hussein because they chose to exercise that same right of free speech in Baghdad. I wondered how these defiant protest chants sound to the hundreds of victims of Hussein's barbaric ear-cutting policies, for they too were opposed to the concept of war, especially those involving Hussein. I have treated many Iraqi soldiers and brave anti-war activists suffering from severe ear infections with life-threatening consequences, after being subjected to this perverse form of mutilation at the Al-Amarah military hospital. I was a medical intern at the hospital, located in the southern part of Iraq from 1994 until 1996, and was a sad witness to this atrocity. I find it unfortunate and ironic that a Western anti-war activist would march in support of Hussein and his war-inflicting regime while their brave anti-war Iraqi counterparts languish tortured and mutilated in the dark jails of Saddam Hussein. I wondered how the protest banners carried by the marchers appear to Iraqis who have long been subjected to leafleting by Iraq's "Great Uncle." In 1991, my family was the terrified recipient of one such chilling message when Hussein's military helicopters dropped leaflets informing the residents of my town that the Iraqi military was about to strike us with chemical weapons. We were told the action was necessary in an effort to quell the popular and widespread anti-Hussein uprising. One of these leaflets fell in my family's garden. I can only imagine the horror my family and the residents of my town must have felt when they read the signs of the anti-war protesters asking their leaders to extend the reign of the Butcher of Baghdad. As I reflect on how these images will play back home, I recall several other aspects of life in Hussein's besieged Iraq. Those who have lived in this prison of a country, this sorry excuse of a defiant Arab state, have too many stories and scars to recall. I remembered the bizarre episode of witnessing medical students being asked to volunteer for suicide kamakazi-style missions in a futile response to the crippling allied air assault of the Gulf War. I remember the students not only refusing to volunteer, but joking about the irony of the fact that they were studying medicine to relieve pain and suffering and were now being asked to volunteer to inflict pain and suffering. For the past 30 years the world has kept silent regarding the atrocities endured by the besieged people of Iraq at the hands of Hussein. For too long, the Iraqi people have cried for help but the world has played deaf. It is a sad reflection on the state of appreciation for universal human rights when, finally, the Bush and the British administrations seem to have heard these cries, yet hundreds of thousands of people worldwide marched in the streets to block any attempt to save the Iraqi people from a ruthless dictator. For me the best response to those protesters is for the free world, led by the U.S, to liberate Iraq. The people of Iraq will certainly welcome any international power that will join the battle with them against Hussein's warmongering regime. I know, I witnessed it firsthand. During the widespread Iraqi uprising of March 1991, Iraqis welcomed the victorious allied forces and took up arms against the totalitarian regime of Hussein. In a matter of a few days, 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces were under the complete control of the free people of Iraq. Sadly, the world community shunned the people of Iraq in 1991 in much the same manner as that of today's anti-war protesters. One thing that I can surely predict is that if this historic opportunity of removing the regime in Baghdad is lost, the Iraqi people will be in more pain. The barbaric atrocities will prevail and more ears, tongues and heads will be cut. Instead of just dropping leaflets warning of a chemical strike, an emboldened Saddam Hussein will use real chemical weapons, as he has done before. For this time, Hussein will know the world lacks the resolve and the humanitarian spirit required to take the steps necessary to remove him from his self-anointed and blood-stained throne. But, despite all, I remain an optimist. I believe that when the Iraqis get their freedom, they will march on Iraqi streets lifting the placards that say "Thank you America and United Kingdom." And I can certainly foretell another placard that will boldly declare "French and Germans, you can't inspect evil." However, the marchers in Iraq will never be able to exercise this very basic human right of demonstration, should the regime of Saddam Hussein remain in power. Sadly, the anti-war demonstrators desire exactly that end. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/oped/chi-0303090269mar09,1,5796954.story?coll=chi%2Dnewsopinioncommentary%2Dhed
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LATEST COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ARTICLE
Listed below are the 10 latest comments of 102 posted about this article.
These comments are anonymously submitted by the website visitors.
TITLE |
AUTHOR |
DATE |
Saddam has no supporters, anywhere. |
Pissed Off and Disgusted in Ohio |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 7:55 PM |
Iraqis don't want you speaking on their behalf |
Bigfoot |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 8:37 PM |
Bush= Rabid dog |
Sheepdog |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 8:50 PM |
I could give a fuck about Bush |
Able to Draw Distinctions |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 8:52 PM |
Alarming |
Bigfoot |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 9:18 PM |
wee! |
Able to Draw Distinctions |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 9:29 PM |
Wee? |
Bigfoot |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 9:44 PM |
sure |
Able to Draw Distinctions |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 9:48 PM |
INC? |
Bigfoot |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 11:04 PM |
Don't read the posts? |
lancer |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 11:08 PM |
PR, PR, PR |
Diogenes |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 11:19 PM |
it's frustrating.... |
khf |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 11:27 PM |
OneEyedMan |
KPC |
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2003 at 11:39 PM |
OneEyedMan |
KPC |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 12:43 AM |
Miss |
DeMeanor |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 5:00 AM |
Prelude to War |
Atlas |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 5:43 AM |
Got bombs? |
Ruth |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 6:40 AM |
"Wait for the bombs" |
Shannon |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 9:52 AM |
I'm chuckles alright |
Ha ha |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 11:45 AM |
Hey Chuckles... |
dittohead |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 12:10 PM |
Ha ha |
That's Mr. Chuckles to you. |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 12:19 PM |
Well, er...umm..gee Mr. Chuckles, sir... |
the door-man |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 12:40 PM |
once again, Ms. Chuckles makes little sense... |
nor do most liberals |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 12:46 PM |
Come and git me, I'm armed. |
Mr. Chuckles |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 12:49 PM |
Oh gee, Chuckles the antiwar protester is armed |
imagine that |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 12:53 PM |
Chuckles wants to fight for his country? |
Shannon |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 12:56 PM |
Oh my, more than one gun. |
Mr. Chuckles |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 1:02 PM |
Sweet Shannon |
Mr. Chuckels |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 1:09 PM |
america hating appeaser |
true patriot |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 1:37 PM |
No lie. |
Mr. Chuckles |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 1:48 PM |
Banter, banter, banter, banter |
Shannon |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 2:50 PM |
to squirts |
Mr. Chuckles |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 2:58 PM |
Oh damn. |
Mr. Chuckles |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 3:02 PM |
Speaking of isolating the leader |
plan master |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 3:11 PM |
comment |
some guy |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 3:13 PM |
Gee Mr. Chuckles |
is that how you treat a lady? |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 3:14 PM |
Not a racist (maybe not) |
Mr, Chuckles |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 3:23 PM |
To Shannon |
oddworld |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 3:25 PM |
Lady? Ha! |
Mr. Chuckles |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 3:32 PM |
attack of the neo-cons |
not |
Friday, Mar. 14, 2003 at 3:35 PM |
"We live here" |
Shannon |
Saturday, Mar. 15, 2003 at 5:38 AM |
Liberals=Nazis |
itstrue |
Saturday, Mar. 15, 2003 at 6:28 AM |
shannon=rightwing thug |
oddworld |
Saturday, Mar. 15, 2003 at 7:24 AM |
Good Little German |
AH |
Saturday, Mar. 15, 2003 at 7:35 AM |
Response |
Pissed Off in Ohio |
Saturday, Mar. 15, 2003 at 7:44 AM |
AH you shrivled up poor excuse for a penis |
Pissed Off in Ohio |
Saturday, Mar. 15, 2003 at 7:56 AM |
Ugh AH you make me want to fucking puke man |
POIO |
Saturday, Mar. 15, 2003 at 8:06 AM |
Clinton smelling like roses?? |
Shannon |
Saturday, Mar. 15, 2003 at 9:05 AM |
El bumpo |
fill out correctly |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 6:43 AM |
We used to stand up for what is good. |
The no longer silent MAJORITY |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 7:52 AM |
Here oddworld. Just for you. |
Shannon |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 8:08 AM |
Where's the Beef |
Diogenes |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 8:27 AM |
Here's the beef... |
Shannon |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 9:23 AM |
It is your side that... |
Diogenes |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 9:29 AM |
My side?? |
Shannon |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 9:42 AM |
Much noise, little original input |
Sheepdog |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 9:49 AM |
I agree with sheepdog... |
louie lefty |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 9:52 AM |
I am waiting for a rational rebuttal - do you have one? |
Diogenes |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 10:11 AM |
Dr. Awadh maybe you'll read this |
man might be broken |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 11:14 AM |
anti-American? |
Ca |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 11:21 AM |
My soul? I haven't got one |
Shannon |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 11:24 AM |
OneEyedMan |
KPC |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 11:28 AM |
You still offer nothing of substance... |
Diogenes |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 11:40 AM |
neither do you |
Shannon |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 12:02 PM |
Substance? You want substance? |
Shannon |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 12:14 PM |
Good article. Love my quote |
Ali Hassan al-Majid |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 12:23 PM |
Gee Diogenes |
an observer |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 12:33 PM |
DA! |
kim |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 12:54 PM |
"Already occupied" |
Jim Allens |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 1:11 PM |
chickenhawk |
Spada |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 1:23 PM |
Simple |
Simple Simon |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 1:25 PM |
Two can play at this game. |
Diogenes |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 1:27 PM |
chickenhawk |
Spada |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 1:37 PM |
Spada, were going to war, HAHA |
Spada, were going to war, HAHA! |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 2:52 PM |
You are an Imbecile |
Diogenes |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 3:26 PM |
Jim |
Kim |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 3:29 PM |
Diogaynes, i never said 9-11 was supported |
Diogaynes, i never said 9-11 was supported |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 3:47 PM |
Fascist pinhead, learn the difference between a title and a name |
POIO |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 3:50 PM |
PIOI, your name is gay |
PIOI, your name is gay |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 3:51 PM |
And furthermore... |
Diogenes |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 3:52 PM |
Yeah keep talking shit asshole i will fucking end you |
Pissed Off in Ohio |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 3:53 PM |
I got yer back |
american |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 4:01 PM |
yeah |
Jay |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 4:05 PM |
Diogaynes, what your a consverative?! |
Diogaynes, what your a consverative?! |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 4:10 PM |
rightwing thugs must die |
american |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 4:21 PM |
I did not say I was a Conservative... |
Diogenes |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 4:25 PM |
Good job, you guys made an atempt |
Good job, you guys made an atempt |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 4:43 PM |
Bad job |
american |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 4:50 PM |
User American, no wonder you have a male part |
User American, no wonder you have a male part |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 5:01 PM |
Yeah morons |
Shannon |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 5:08 PM |
dumb fuck stop fucking up the wrap |
POIO |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 5:09 PM |
Most of america, represent! |
Most of america, represent! |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 5:10 PM |
OneEyedMan |
KPC |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 5:15 PM |
America's Most Wanted |
Eric |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 5:17 PM |
KPC, peace out dude |
KPC, peace out dude |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 5:19 PM |
OneEyedMan |
KPC |
Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 5:22 PM |
CIA? |
Me |
Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2003 at 10:12 AM |
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