Please,Somebody Explain the Fairness in These Two Stories

[louis c]

Senator Tom Harkin, during his accusation yesterday of Cheney being a coward, also cited a situation in which a Des Moines police officer was being forced to go to Iraq under the "stop gap" rule being used by the Bush administration and the Pentagon. This individual, according to Harkin, has already served eight years of his military service, and does not wish to be deployed.

Now, the second story. I just saw on MSNBC a "feel good" story about a Texas "contractor" with boxing credentials who found a talented young Iraqi, Ali Najaf, who he trained to go to the Olympics. Najaf, who speaks English, was extolling the virtues of "freedom" in the "new Iraq".

The report ended with the conclusion that, following the Olympic games, Najaf will return to Texas with his American sponsor and trainer to pursue his dream of becoming a computer engineer.

Maybe some of you DUers can explain how I should not be upset that an American is losing his freedom, and forced to go to Iraq, while an Iraqi enjoys his, and enters America without serving a day in his own military, all the while extolling the virtue of the American occupation and its puppet dictator.

[HFishbine]

1. Are you suggesting

that the consequences of Bush's poor decisions should be delivered upon people who had no opportunity to vote for him? Just who would you have this Iraqi take up arms against?

[louis c]

5. He supports Allawi

and the occupation. The Harkin example doesn't.

[HFishbine]

6. Okay,

So are you going to answer my questions?

[louis c]

10. Forget the legality of it

how can you justify it, logically.

The boxer supports the occupation, and is an Iraqi citizen, but comes to America. The American doesn't support the occupation, and is forced to go to Iraq after he has completed his tour.

Maybe you think that makes sense, but I'm sorry, I just don't get it

[kikiek]

15. I agree with you. It is ironic that the citizen of the free country is

being forced to go fight an illegal, amoral war. In the meantime the guy whose rights he is fighting for is coming here to work on his career. I don't think you're making any statement that the Iraqi should be fighting. Just the irony of it. And it does exist.

[louis c]

22. Thank you for

understanding

[HFishbine]

18. I wasn't

focusing on the legality, but simply wondering about the logic of your indignation.

There is one guy who is from an invading country, who had an opportunity to vote for the man responsible for the invasion, who is having to live with the consequences of the decision of his leaders.

On the other hand is a man who (as far as I know) didn't ask for his country to be invaded, has not had an opportunity to to vote for any of the people making decisions affecting his country, and yet, you expect him to subjegate himself to the apparatus of leaders his people did not choose. That's what I find illogical.

[louis c]

23. He believes in the occupation

and the American does not.

Fight for what you believe in.

Like Bush and Kerry circa. 1969

[RivetJoint]

2. Because, unfair as it may seem,

The American signed a contract. I'd whine and complain as well, but that's what happens when you enlist. Would you prefer the Iraqi puppet dictator enforce universal conscription in Iraq?

[louis c]

3. I suggest

that the person who supports the government in Iraq be forced to fight for it before the person who doesn't.

I also figure that the American should be allowed to stay in America, before the Iraqi he's fighting for comes here to spread Bush propaganda.

But I guess I just don't understand.

[RivetJoint]

7. How do we force an Iraqi

to fight? Should we conscript them?

Not disagreeing with you, but wonder how you plan to make it work.

[louis c]

9. How about their government doing it

and besides, let's not get all tangled up in the legality of the situation. Let's look at the logic of it.

[RivetJoint]

11. Their Govt has chosen not to do it

Now what?

[louis c]

14. We use what's left of our

free speech, and criticize it, that's what.

Not accept it. Where's the DU spirit?

[RivetJoint]

19. OK!

I can agree with making a fuss about it!

[RivetJoint]

OK!

I can agree with making a fuss about it!

[flordehinojos]

4. When, if ever, do the bushes honor any contracts that they sign?

Or, are they not required to sign contracts of any sort just because they are bushes and 'murricah takes their INTEGRITY WORD for it?

The scums don't give a hoot about contracts themselves. They do give a hoot about FORCING people to live up to their contracts, or to those CONTRACTS THAT THE BUSHES HAVE CHANGED FOR THEM IN THEIR NAMES!

:grr:

[RivetJoint]

8. Whoa!

I'm not saying I SUPPORT it. I'm just saying what the facts are. You enlist and take Uncle Sugar's dime, you dance when Uncle Sugar tells you to.

[louis c]

12. How about his tour is over

after 8 years, and the Bushco. assholes find some fine print back door loophole.

here's the link to the Harkin story, judge for yourself.

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2004/08/14/news/breaking_news/0dff4c5470efba8a86256ef00074d537.txt

[RivetJoint]

16. It's not a loophole

It's in the enlistment papers. They can keep you up two years after your enlistment "ends." It's right there in the enlistment and commissioning papers. I know...I was-stop lossed during the Kosovo War.

[louis c]

21. It might be there

but it is the definition of "loop hole"

Check out the link and read what Harkin says about it. I'll take the word of anyone who calls Cheney a coward.

[louis c]

31. kick

[kikiek]

20. Signed a contract to protect our freedom and country. He isn't

doing that either. This isn't a war to better this country.

[Wickerman]

13. beyond logic and legalities

the world could use more cops than boxers, but that is only mho.

[louis c]

17. American who doesn't agree with an illegal war

goes to fight it.

And one who thinks it is a just cause, doesn't. Sound familiar. Texas Air National Guard is a hint.

[Wickerman]

24. Iraq is getting off to a nice democratic start, huh?

BushCo* already inspiring the privileged class.

[louis c]

29. kick

[Pobeka]

25. The "contractor" should spend money sending food and kevlar to our troops.

-- if he was truly concerned about our American soldiers that is, otherwise, it's just political marketing to deny a reality that U.S. citizens are being wounded and killed.

For those naysayers out there, this is not about the Iraqi boxer, it's about where we as a nation put our priorities -- protecting our troops and getting to a lasting peace quickly, or painting a rosy picture for the election.

This is digusting. Morally undefensable.

[louis c]

26. Thank you

for understanding my point.

[qanda]

27. I believe your point to be...

If the Iraqi believes so much in his country and the occupation then he should stay and fight for his country. Why does someone who doesn't believe in the cause have to go and fight for it?

You're getting a lot of grief, but your point is valid.

[louis c]

28. Finally, the point seems to be hitting its mark

[louis c]

30. kick