Tone Cluster links to this about a PA execution.


My interest in the Iraq offensive is more than academic.
It's more of a survival instinct thing.

Research following the Gulf War indicated that the 20 somethings in Israel took it hardest, for some reason. I think our age group had never experienced this feeling of insecurity in our own homes. People who were older remembered the Six Day War, and the fear that preceded it, but we were too young. Bish and I were a young couple in 1991 without kids. My eldest is actually a “war baby”. I now realize it’s easier having missiles blowing up around you without having to worry about the kids.

I don’t think it will be anywhere nearly as bad for me this time around, psychologically. Personal security is no longer taken for granted like it was back then. We're more accustomed to living with danger.

I've just been remembering the “silent channel” we had during the Gulf War. Most of the missile attacks were at night, whether to prevent the launchers being detected or so they'd be in time for the evening news in the US. We used to sleep with a special silent radio channel on, so we could hear the emergency code broadcast to the people operating the air-raid sirens. This way we had another second to get ready before the air-raid sirens started.

There are such a lot of articles about Iraq today. This is the one I enjoyed the most. Tim Hames in the UK Times is amused by the lack of any catchy anti-war slogans. Cute. But it improves:

“There are but five relevant questions to consider when it comes to Iraq now. Do you believe that Saddam is actively pursuing weapons of mass destruction? Do you think he is doing so for the purpose of battle or blackmail rather than more benign reasons? Do you think this is a seriously negative development for world order? Do you consider it plausible that he will refrain from this activity of his own accord? Do you believe that external military action would put an end to his ambitions?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no”, it is perfectly reasonable for the individual concerned to sign petitions, march in demonstrations, or simply oppose the war in a more private fashion. The “and then what?” camp, on the other hand, appears to be willing to say “yes” to all five questions but then refrain from endorsing pre-emptive action. To do so for fear of “regional instability” is utterly bizarre. Where is the stability associated with a man who invaded one neighbour within a year of becoming President, had a shot at another one a decade later, and has spent the ten years since then attempting to acquire biological, chemical and nuclear weapons?”