Reply #46: No, you missed a zero [View All]

[manic expression]

The number is at 100,000. The 16,000 number is due to the fact that this organization must get a number of sources for EACH death, as well as confirmation from a hospital or morgue (Iraqis sometimes don't even bother going to those places, if there even is one available...too many dead or too dangerous).

This is a reply to your general argument:

About it being "worth it"...here is a small list of countries the US ACTIVELY SUPPORTS: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, to name a few. All of these countries are just as bad or even worse as Iraq under Saddam. We even deport our own suspects to these countries (Syria as well) so they can be tortured on our behalf. The US detains anyone it wants for no real reason and holds them indefinitely (ever hear of a little bit of America called "Guantanamo Bay"???). We are guilty of torture and killings of prisoners, as well as crimes against the peace and war crimes. We would be invading ourselves if we invaded countries to end brutal regimes.

Iraq is a nightmare. There is no security, there is no guarantee of water or food, there is little electricity, hospitals are in DIRE straights and so are schools, priceless artifacts have been stolen and/or lost, unemployment has skyrocketed (60% unemployment), there is no freedom, there is danger at every turn. Before the invasion and occupation, women could walk the streets without fear, there was relative safety. Research "misery gangs" (gangs who roam the streets and rape women at random; this is quite common), and "honor killings" (the practice of murdering a female relative who has been raped; this is also very common). Fundamentalism and terrorism is at a new high. There is the constant danger of a car bomb, or the occupation dragging someone away from their home in the middle of the night, or a US bombing, or being caught in a firefight. The US occupation has control over the press, and has thrown out and shut down "unwanted" sources (al-Jazeera is but one example). The US occupation has no respect or consideration of anything NOT in the US' interests. Cities have been demolished by this base oppressive occupation. Iraqis are thrown into the detention system for no reason, which is disgusting at best. Iraqis are treated horribly by the occupation, or they are kept at a distance, in a best case scenario.

This is the reality of occupied Iraq. It is vile to think that the Iraqis are better off.

When Iraqis take their country back, only then will they be free.