More cynical thoughts on the war- What if the Iraqi regime bombed the market places inBaghdad?Possible?marketplaces

[Bobbins]

Just a question.....it is a propoganda war after all

Following on also from hmb's point on the "War- what does it mean thread"....The French also have big economic interests in Iraqi oil as well as the Russians(contracts on the line)....obviously so do the US (especially) & the UK... I really hope the Labour government..can ensure the aftermath involves the UN and true diplomacy...I don't trust Bush.

RAH....Keyboard...I hateyou!

The MoD have strongly denied that the two soldiers were executed, they reiterate that they died in combat and are very critical of the government for "telling untruths".
There was a picture in one of the papers today showing a PoW in one of those US camps, with a hood over his head, cradling his 5 year old son who looked very scared and upset. Ok, they are not parading them about on TV, but they are not showing them much dignity or respect either. Plus I think we have to remember that the PoW's over in America have not been tried for any crime yet, I wonder how much longer it will be before these people get a fair trial and are allowed back to their families? Just imagine if it was your partner taken away from you on suspicion of a crime, and you are dependant upon him for breadmoney. How would that make you feel? Would you feel your rights were being respected?

I would think it dreadful. Hoever IIUC to be a POW you have to be captured in uniform. Under the Geneva convention the right of POWs are upheld, not terrorists. If you are captured in a theater of war not wearing an uniform you an (Again IIUC), be considered a spy. And spies can (and have been ) shot in time of war. Understand that I am not saying that this is correct or even moral. Simply that the legal situation for those held in the US and Guantanemo Bay are not clear cut regarding the Geneva Convention.

And regarding the showing of the Iraqi POWs it is not the UK goverment that is deciding what should be shown but the powers that be in the BBC and ITV. Saddam decides what goes on Iraqi TV

DB is fine too, HMB, and has managed several phonecalls to his wife. Glad your DH is managing to keep intouch too - you're right, it does make it a bit easier.

hmb, sorry to be cynical, but are you sure the government spin doctors do not bribe and blackmail the media to their own advantage? The BBC is certainly biased, ITV less so. But it's the ratings game that really makes me sick, how this war is being used to create more money for already rich Western companies.

According to EU law the detainment of the PoW's is actually illegal, but the US don't care for the EU as we have already seen. Though they'll quote it when it suits them!

That's why I am shocked that Britain has gone into this war. We are a very intelligent and cynical nation, as public opinion shows, yet we are being treated by the government as mithering toddlers that need to be tamed. We are asking questions that the Americans do not think to ask, we have seen it all before, heard it all before. I'm not sure Tony Blair will survive another election after this.

Just wondering aloud but how come Iraqi tv and radio have not had their signals jammed? Surely that isn't that difficult to do and would be the first thing you would do.