Good points, and I think I understand where you are coming from. And I am not saying you supported Saddam. I agree with much of what you just said.

But saying the Iraqis should have fought for their own freedom if that wanted it bad enough is unrealistic (Democracy must be won by the people, not inflicted). That is like saying the slaves of the US South should have fought for their own freedom. I am sure they wanted it, but why could they not fight for their own freedom. Why did it take the North to sacrifice their lives to free the Slaves?

For the same reasons the Iraqis couldn’t. Neither had arms. Both were oppressed by fear, torture and malnourishment. There is no way the Iraqis could have risen up against Saddam. Like you just said, the ones who did, after the US left in 1990, were slaughtered. Those people wanted freedom, but the only reason they stood up against Saddam was because they thought America was there to help them. As you know, we buggered out (to satisfy the UN) and they were slaughtered by Saddam. I wish Bush 1 would have told the UN to stuff it, I am taking that SOB Saddam out!

Anyway, we seem to agree there.

Are we ignoring other human rights violators? North Korea? Sudan? I wouldn’t say we are ignoring those areas, but are we doing enough? Should we?

Is America's job to police the world, or do we turn a blind eye when we see human rights violations?

I think we should go after human right violators across the Globe. With North Korea, we should work with China. I am surprised China hasn’t gone in and taken over the place.

Why China. For one thing, we don’t want to piss them off. We don’t want a war with China. For another thing, China is coming up in the Modern world. Every year their people are experience more from the free world. China is slowly turning into a free country.

What about the Sudan. There is a violent conflict between the Muslims and Christians. When we recover from the Middle East, I think we should go in and help these people, but I don’t think there will be a clear cut solution.

Try to stay positive, Mary Ann. If you look at the world, I think you’ll see more people across the Globe are enjoying a higher standard of life than ever before. I think the Earth is turning into a free global community. Sure, there are trouble spots, but if you look at history, I think you’ll see a trend towards a modern free global community. I hope a free Middle East will be part of that community soon.