Comparisons between Saddam Husein and Bush on Iraq

[chknltl]

(I am looking for comparisons between saddam and bush in their dealings with Iraq. I want to create a statement to post on this and other online forums, blogs and etc. I want to send this to my Democratic Leaders. Here is my rough version, PLEASE add what you feel I may have missed and/or critique my notion.)

Remember when we used to hear this from our Republican friends: "Isn't Iraq better off without Saddam?" They would generally say this hoping to bait us into debate. I would always answer "NO!"
Not only is Iraq worse off but we are worse off as well. Sadly we tend to focus on ourselves. Let me remind you how The bush doctrine over in Iraq is at LEAST as bad as saddam's dictatorship:

Saddam invaded a sovereign country under false pretenses. So has bush.
Saddam has threatened the neighbors of Iraq. So has bush.
Saddam used WMD in direct violation of the Geneva Accords on WMD. So has bush.
Saddam's influence destabilized the Middle East. So has bush's influence done the same.
Saddam used Iraqi oil for his own gain. The bush cronies are attempting to do the same.
Saddam inspired the ire of most of the free world with his actions in Iraq. So has bush
Saddam imprisoned large numbers of Iraqi citizens, many uncharged with real crimes. So has bush!
Saddam used torture on many of his detainees, again in direct violation of the Geneva Convention. So does bush.
Saddam believed he had a moral right for his behavior in spite of worldwide condemnation. So does bush!

Saddam robbed the citizens of Iraq...it can be argued that bush has robbed them of their lifestyle and much more, things have DRAMATICALLY changed since bush invaded Iraq:

There are now over a MILLION refugees who have fled Iraq. This is over and above those who left due to saddam hussein. Water Service, Sewer Service and Electric Service are not what they were under saddam hussein, we hear that they are in far worse shape. Going to school, to church or the market is no longer as safe as it was under saddam. Hospital Service, I am not sure if it has gotten better or worse but it is MUCH more in demand since the fall of saddam. If one believes what one reads in the news these days, the terrorists we invaded Iraq to stop are now actually filtering into Iraq, something they found difficult to do under a Dictator who refused to share his country with outsiders.

So if you feel that the citizens of Iraq are better off now than they were under saddam hussein would you TELL THEM THIS? The only folks who appear to be better off here are bush's cronies!

To my fellow Americans. Ask your leaders why they could continue to fund this madness, ask them why they could support the bush doctrine when it so closely parallels saddam hussein's own methods. Ask them why it was wise to remove saddam and yet leave bush and company in power when he does many of the same things.

I remind you all that the Iraqi citizenry is just as aware here as you or I of this. I hope you want to send an urgent message to the embattled citizens of Iraq: WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT COMPLICIT! Those who support the bush doctrine are COMPLICIT! My fellow Americans, do NOT forget the names of the politicians who sold us out. KEEP THIS FIRMLY IN MIND COME THE NEXT ELECTION....if we make it that far. That will be the best message We The People can send Iraq given present circumstances. Sadly, without leadership, that may indeed be the best we can do until then.

They say that the pen is mightier than the sword. I hope my keyboards will be mightier than that pen.
A REGISTERED VOTER,
with keyboards.


(My fellow Duers...This is the rough draft. I will add links to each of the comparisons and changes. I want to put something along these lines together and spread it where I can. I am interested in what you can add to my list as well as your thoughts.)

[LynnTheDem]

1. Bush versus Hussein; it's a slam-dunk

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=5032434

[chknltl]

3. I wish I would have seen that LynnThe Dem

I am inspired here. May I utilize some of this in my letters to the Democratic Leadership? If you permit it I will add your post to the one I am working on as a link with a special introduction. I do not see how it is possible to improve on what you have done there and frankly I am somewhat intimidated but my needs to to vent my frustrations here outweigh that intimidation.

[LynnTheDem]

5. Please feel free to use any or all of whatever you like.

Facts are for sharing around!

:hug:

[JeffR]

2. Nothing to add, my friend

Just revise, revise, revise. Hone it down to the shortest possible sentences that still convey what you're saying, and you've got it.

[chknltl]

4. Yeah...I got "Old Coot's Syndrome"

We tend to ramble. Good point. One I will take to heart on this project. Thanks

[JeffR]

6. Well, I'm a coot and I don't think you're rambling

I just think it's best to keep it as succinct and soundbite-ready as possible. And really, you're almost there with it.

[chknltl]

7. thanks JeffR

I am prone to rambling and figured I was busted again. There are indeed a few things I need to polish here...it's still a rough draft. I spent a couple of hours on it and finally grew tired editing stuff in and out....

Did you get a look at LynnTheDem's link? She took this same idea and elevated it to a professional standard. I am awed at her works, have been for some time. I am happy to see that I am on a similar track. DU is a great place to learn and there are some great folks to learn from here.

[JeffR]

8. I saw that

Much to learn here, I agree. But much to teach as well - keep at it!