Tim Streater posted
In article , Handsome Jack
wrote:

Tim Streater posted
I suppose one could take the "leave them to it" PoV. So if the likes of
Saddam shell one of their own villages with poison gas we should say
nothing and do nothing.

That's what "we" [i.e. Western governments] did when this gassing
happened in 1998 (IIRC). Until 15 years later it became convenient to
excavate it as a casus belii for launching a war that was actually
conducted in the Western powers' economic interests.

1988. So you think, perhaps that "we" should have invaded Iraq in 1988
rather than 2003?

No, I don't think "we" should have invaded Iraq at all. "We" should not
be intervening in the Middle East at all, except through diplomacy and
negotiation.

As you are probably aware, the gassing stuff was not the real reason for
the 2003 invasion anyway.

Well, I suppose talk is cheap so we could still
indulge in the expressions of outrage and light candles and hold
"vigils" and all the other meaningless vapourings. We could do that on
the one hand to satisfy our snowflake consciences

That's your suggestion, not mine. If you're saying it's a stupid thing
to do - well I agree, which is why I've never suggested it.

while selling him
arms on the other.

Selling who arms? What are you on about?

Saddam. Who else?

Oh. I don't see what that's got to do with it.

--
Jack