500,000 dead Iraqi babies -- Propaganda??? Help refuting...

My Head | 10/22/01 | An American Soldier

[American Soldier]

I keep hearing about the U.S. having committed genocide against Iraqis by killing half a million with our sanctions. I am pretty sure this is not correct as I know off hand that Saddam has imported enough for palace construction to feed that nation for a decade, but can someone point me to specific sources to refute these accusations? I'm having a heck of a time with this one...

[Heisenburger]

Simple reason is good enough. Obviously, the Iraqis would include every baby that has died from 1991 to the present. Naturally, because Iraq is a Third World country with an evil, militaristic dictator, the large majority of those deaths would have happened whether or not there were sanctions.

[Senator Pardek]

Iraq is free to sell oil for humanitarian goods - they have enough to take care of every young biped.

This lie has been parroted too many times by the FR "The U.S. needs to look inward" crowd.

[EaglesUpForever]

As far as specific sources, look at the Iraqi oil revenue, and look at Iraqi defense and infrastructure investments. Of course they aren't as free with their info as we are, but to the extent you can identify these numbers you can see if they have any arguments.

The classic argument is "they've had plenty of money, but they've not spent it on their own populations: they're especially happy to let starve those who ever resisted the regime." I heard they went through 25 Billion dollars, I don't know in what time period.

I'll surf around for some specific sources.

[Free the USA]

I know one of their arguments is that Chlorine, a very useful ingredient for chemical weapons is restricted, which prevents Iraq from treating its water supply. If Saddam had a choice between Chemical weapons and treating the water which do you think he would choose?

[EaglesUpForever]

HERE is a good argument for sanctions.

[Freedom of Speech Wins]

Saddam cared more about his programs to develop nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons then he did about feeding his own people.

As he was building these weapons programs he didn't adhere to inspections and drew sanctions.

Saddam's goal-a nuclear weapon to use on Israel, not feeding hs own people. Result, people starve. If Saddam wants to blame someone he should look in the mirror.

[dalebert]

Last I heard Iraque has a booming economy. new building starts are at an all time high. It is Saddam who is witholding medical attention from his people. He has also used chemical weapons on his citizens. I really don't think dead babies can be blamed on us. Cultivating hate for America keeps him in power.

[Octar]

Why don't we hear about the parents of these children? Did they starve first? Or did they eat the food and let their children starve. What a crock.

[Senator Pardek]

It began in '96? Then perhaps you will go around stomping out the lie on FR that 4,000 young bipeds a month still die in Iraq.

This was all contigent on their following the terms of their surrender, which included no stopping our inspection teams. They violated the terms, of course.

If we had any guts, we would rescind our "agreement".

Nothing warms my heart more more than a 10 lbs. future terrorist/enemy of America starving to death.

[Senator Pardek]

They will grow to be enemies of America, ergo - it is in our best interest to "stunt" that growth.

I'm assuming you care about the future of America, of course.

[A CA Guy]

Don't think so. Did we promote abortion over there?

[Let's Roll]

"Very simple....under our sanctions Iraq no longer has money for food and medicine...only tanks and guns...Saddam is playing the international community like a violin."

What ya wanna bet that Saddam was forcing his people to do without even before there were sanctions? The international community wants to be played like a violin.

[Senator Pardek]

You must work in media relations for Planned Parenthood.

And you must work in media relations for 0.1 percenters. At least you are not a hypocrite like Buchanan, who proudly endorsed Bush Senior after the Gulf War and his "New World Order" remark.