U.S. Iraqi Women Speak Out, You'll Be Surprised

Post-9/11 Era Forum

Just a few moments ago, while glued to my t.v., I heard a report on ABC news. This was a segment brought forth by Barbara Walters via Peter Jennings. The segment brought forth the feelings and truths of Saddam's regime of the last 35 years, from 4 Iraqi (now American citizens) women. They told stories of how Saddam uses women to punish the men of his country.One of the women relayed a story of her 16 year old cousin who wrote a negative comment in a book about Saddam. A teacher caught a peek of the comment and reported her to the police. She was arrested and put in jail. Worse yet, she had electric shock administered to her head, nipples and other sensitive areas. If that wasn't bad enough, they brought her family in and threatened to rape her if she did not stop her illegal activities.

This made me feel.

Another woman told stories of how Saddam would punish the males by bringing in their wives and daughters and rape them on video. The videos would then go to the commanding officers and the husbands.

This made me feel terrible.

Barbara asked one of the women about Iraqi jails. The description sounded like something from Nazi Germany. There were torture cells in which inmates would suffer from human meat grinders. YES! They actually grind live people as a consequence of misbehaviour.

This made me feel terrible and sick.

Another told the tearful personal account of how her friends and family choked to death on gas, when Saddam's forces decided to test on her town. They were blinded and could not breath or swallow. Many died and just a few survived with life long health problems. Maybe worse yet is the reminder of these attrocities everytime she looses her breath.

This made me feel terrible, sick and empathetic.

Barbara asked how all of the women's family (still in Iraq) felt about the U.S. actions. Two of the ladies spoke up and said that they are waiting for our troops to come in and set them all free. "They are cooking for the troops, so that they may all celebrate," said one of the teary women. "Iraq deserves democracy," said another.

Why did I decide to write all of this down? Because it got me off the fence about the war. Maybe I'm being naive, but these four women changed my mind.

I was mistaken about these people. They don't want to live in fear. They want something better -- something fair and just.

their stories were depressing and sicking weren't they?
I just posted some of this in "...Are you for and against..."
Other Iraqi's have said the same thing - but protesters claim it is "lies and propaganda."
I don't believe the protesters side to be true - since 1000s of Iraqis say the same thing...

I don't know which protesters you are talking about, but the protesters whom I have talked to universally condemned Saddam Hussein and his regime. However, the sad fact is that human rights abuses and crimes against women like this are common throughout the Third World. Having the U.S. install a regime is no cure, either. Here is a link on conditions in Afghanistan, for example:

http://www.hrw.org/press/2002/12/herat1217.htm

Now, mind you, things are definitely better in Afghanistan than they were. However, it is also true that thousands of innocent people died in the war on Afghanistan -- so you have to weigh the gains against the losses.

Heck, read up on the humans rights abuses among our allies, like Uzbekistan. Frankly, I do not think that invasion and regime change are an effective answer to human rights. The U.S. has installed many new regimes in South America, and if anything each was more abusive than the previous.

and what nobody is talking about is :

once Saddam will be gone, no one should take the administration of Iraq axcept Iraqi people .......

and this is also said by the 1000s and more Iraqi people ......

What will be the result if anyone except Iraqi people is taking the power in Iraq ?

Yes john kim - i know this; but here there is a chance to make a long lasting difference.