T. B. - "If the Iraqis really do know that, the chances of an actual slaughter are greatly reduced. I'm still having trouble figuring out why you think we're morally wrong to engage in a conflict unless there's a good chance our side will take enough casualties to make it "fair."

No mugger has the obligation to make it a fair mugging. However, it's assault, battery and stealing unless there is a provocation. And every mugger owes it to his homies to keep them as safe as possible. Obviously. It's still mugging.

T. B. - "I'm going to stick my neck out here and predict that the vast majority of Iraqi civilian casualties will be the result of desperate and suicidal tactics on the part of Saddam and his goons."

ABSOLUTELY. That's what you will read. The news from this, and other wars, will be as censored as it's ever been, probably more so. There is no free access to information, no free access to the battlefield, no free access to anything anymore.

And free access to information is what a democracy needs to function. And it's gone.

Ashcroft's assault on FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) is unprecedented, which means that Ashcroft's, and this administration's, assault on freedom is unprecedented.

In the name of "anti-terrorism", and staying in power, they are dismantling the only thing that makes it a democracy - freedom of information, a free press, the Bill of Rights. An INFORMED electorate. (That is, if the votes get counted.)

So, you will believe that civilian Iraqi casualties are the fault of the Iraqis - because that's the only information you will be given. That the civilians the Americans, and their British accomplices, kill will have died not because their killers killed them, but because the Iraqis didn't give free reign to inspectors.

Y'know, after Iraq invaded Kuwait, The Big Monkey said that he would kick their asses if they didn't withdraw - and it would be their fault if he had to kick their asses. They would be asking for it.

So, Saddam said if the Coalition (a real one, by the way) invaded, he'd burn the Kuwaiti oilfields. It would be the Coalition's fault if those fields got burned - "You want 'em burned, you invade - it'll be your fault" he sez.

Identical to GWB's saying that if the US kills civilians it will be the fault of the Iraqis.

BS is BS, in whatever language, from whatever "leader".

Arf