I seem to have been wrong Iraqis are protesting their govt!

[Castout]

That they are actually capable of dissent! They are protesting over what they view as rampant corruption in their government.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/0...71G6P420110217

[MaddogK]

"The demonstrations are protected and here I say that the security forces are not allowed to use any force against any demonstrations," Maliki said at a news conference in Baghdad.

Can anyone guess how Saddam would've handled the situation ?

[Buddahaid]

Everyone can guess.

[MaddogK]

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

Everyone can guess.

THAT is the gift of freedom.

[yubba]

Gas-em, Danno, mmmmmmm BBQ beans, now I'm hungry.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by MaddogK

Can anyone guess how Saddam would've handled the situation ?

He would've put a quick end to it, probably a bloody one.

Does this make the situation in Iraq any better? I mean, the people can now protest, but in everyday life they still have to be afraid. Not for doing or saying something that would get the attention of Saddam's goons, but being in the wrong place at the wrong time (for coalition bombs/firefight etc. to kill him/her) AND doing or saying something that would get the attention of the insurgents (and have a video of his/her throat being slit in some gore site).

I know this is quite simplistic view and it doesn't apply to everyone in Iraq, but for those living in the "hot" regions, it's PROBABLY (as in I guess, using common sense) more dangerous now than it was under Saddam's rule.

[MaddogK]

Originally Posted by Dowly

He would've put a quick end to it, probably a bloody one.

Does this make the situation in Iraq any better? I mean, the people can now protest, but in everyday life they still have to be afraid. Not for doing or saying something that would get the attention of Saddam's goons, but being in the wrong place at the wrong time (for coalition bombs/firefight etc. to kill him/her) AND doing or saying something that would get the attention of the insurgents (and have a video of his/her throat being slit in some gore site).

I know this is quite simplistic view and it doesn't apply to everyone in Iraq, but for those living in the "hot" regions, it's PROBABLY (as in I guess, using common sense) more dangerous now than it was under Saddam's rule.

I could say something about the smell of apples and napalm but I'm confident that you can see that open dissent is preferable to hiding from ones own governments goon squad. Nobody ANYWHERE is 100% safe from harm, but even with pockets of dangerous activities I'm pretty sure the Iraqi people are overall safer than under Saddam's rule.

[Blood_splat]

Originally Posted by MaddogK

Can anyone guess how Saddam would've handled the situation ?

He would force them all to wear pink tutus while frolicking in the sunshine.