survey on iraq war (about 10 min)

[MrSpadge]

Hi guys,
I'm going to ask you for something different today. I have to write a homework on the self choosen topic ?iraq war? where I want to concentrate on the reasons and justifications for the war. You know we Europeans were not really happy about it happening the way it did. There is the cliche of the American as a fanatic-patriotic bush-man as well. I know a lot of you aren't this way, but I can't say how many. Therefore I want to take this survey and will hopefully be able to paint a different picture of the Americans.

I don't want to offend anybody, so please don't turn this thread into a flame war. Stick to the answers and keep it short, if they absolutely don't fit your opinion. If you want to stay anonymous PM me your answers.

Thank you for your time!
Stephan

1. From which country are you?

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
a) I'm totally against this war
b) I like Saddam being removed, but dislike the way it happened
c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no
b) no, but I've changed my mind since no WMDs were found after the war
c) yes

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no
b) no, but I've chaned my mind since Bush admitted they have no hint to back this up
c) yes

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
a) no, there may be some quick and short success, but in the end the terror gets worse
b) it's the only weapon we have, so we have to use it
c) it's an adequate method of dealing with terror

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
a) no
b) the Kurds* and Schiits* certainly wanted freedom, though it's questionable what government they want [* peoples in Iraq]
c) of course

7. Was the war for oil?
a) Yeah!
b) yes, though not neccessarily as a main reason
c) oil was no factor in the decision

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
a) obvisously yes
b) the war did help them, though that wasn't neccessarily a main reason
c) our president isn't influenzed by lobbys

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
a) that's a serious threat
b) I'm confident good politicians and civil rights movements will protect us
c) if it increases our security then so be it

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
a) it enalbes other countries to attack with very doubtful reasons and without punishment
b) look at ?Minority Report? and the pre-crime project: it didn't work
c) the main problem is to evaluate whether an intervention is justified
d) maybe Hitler and WW II could have been stopped by such a move
e) to a): they already do, there's nothing new with what the USA did
f) it's OK

 

[Czar]

1. From which country are you? Iceland

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
a) I'm totally against this war
b) I like Saddam being removed, but dislike the way it happened
c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no
b) no, but I've changed my mind since no WMDs were found after the war
c) yes

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no
b) no, but I've chaned my mind since Bush admitted they have no hint to back this up
c) yes

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
a) no, there may be some quick and short success, but in the end the terror gets worse
b) it's the only weapon we have, so we have to use it
c) it's an adequate method of dealing with terror

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
a) no
b) the Kurds* and Schiits* certainly wanted freedom, though it's questionable what government they want [* peoples in Iraq]
c) of course

7. Was the war for oil?
a) Yeah!
b) yes, though not neccessarily as a main reason
c) oil was no factor in the decision

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
a) obvisously yes
b) the war did help them, though that wasn't neccessarily a main reason
c) our president isn't influenzed by lobbys

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
a) that's a serious threat
b) I'm confident good politicians and civil rights movements will protect us
c) if it increases our security then so be it

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
a) it enalbes other countries to attack with very doubtful reasons and without punishment
b) look at ?Minority Report? and the pre-crime project: it didn't work
c) the main problem is to evaluate whether an intervention is justified
d) maybe Hitler and WW II could have been stopped by such a move
e) to a): they already do, there's nothing new with what the USA did
f) it's OK

 

[osage]

1 US
2 b
3 a
4 c
5 a
6 b
7 b
8 a
9 a
10 a

 

[spaceman]

1. From which country are you?
*USA

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
*A neccesary evil

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
*Dont know, when in doubt.....

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
*Dont know/Can't Know


5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
*perhaps

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
*I'd like to believe so.Who likes being intimidated/controlled?

7. Was the war for oil?
*fringe benefit.

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
possibly,partially.

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
yes, i believe we are walking a fine line now..

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
*situation to situation basis.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: MrSpadge
Hi guys,
I'm going to ask you for something different today. I have to write a homework on the self choosen topic ?iraq war? where I want to concentrate on the reasons and justifications for the war. You know we Europeans were not really happy about it happening the way it did. There is the cliche of the American as a fanatic-patriotic bush-man as well. I know a lot of you aren't this way, but I can't say how many. Therefore I want to take this survey and will hopefully be able to paint a different picture of the Americans.

I don't want to offend anybody, so please don't turn this thread into a flame war. Stick to the answers and keep it short, if they absolutely don't fit your opinion. If you want to stay anonymous PM me your answers.

Thank you for your time!
Stephan

1. From which country are you? Canada

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
a) I'm totally against this war
b) I like Saddam being removed, but dislike the way it happened
c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no
b) no, but I've changed my mind since no WMDs were found after the war
c) yes

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no
b) no, but I've chaned my mind since Bush admitted they have no hint to back this up
c) yes

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
a) no, there may be some quick and short success, but in the end the terror gets worse
b) it's the only weapon we have, so we have to use it
c) it's an adequate method of dealing with terror

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
a) no
b) the Kurds* and Schiits* certainly wanted freedom, though it's questionable what government they want [* peoples in Iraq]
c) of course

7. Was the war for oil?
a) Yeah!
b) yes, though not neccessarily as a main reason
c) oil was no factor in the decision

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
a) obvisously yes
b) the war did help them, though that wasn't neccessarily a main reason
c) our president isn't influenzed by lobbys

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
a) that's a serious threat
b) I'm confident good politicians and civil rights movements will protect us
c) if it increases our security then so be it

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
a) it enalbes other countries to attack with very doubtful reasons and without punishment
b) look at ?Minority Report? and the pre-crime project: it didn't work
c) the main problem is to evaluate whether an intervention is justified
d) maybe Hitler and WW II could have been stopped by such a move
e) to a): they already do, there's nothing new with what the USA did
f) it's OK

 

[Tab]

Originally posted by: MrSpadge
Hi guys,
I'm going to ask you for something different today. I have to write a homework on the self choosen topic ?iraq war? where I want to concentrate on the reasons and justifications for the war. You know we Europeans were not really happy about it happening the way it did. There is the cliche of the American as a fanatic-patriotic bush-man as well. I know a lot of you aren't this way, but I can't say how many. Therefore I want to take this survey and will hopefully be able to paint a different picture of the Americans.

I don't want to offend anybody, so please don't turn this thread into a flame war. Stick to the answers and keep it short, if they absolutely don't fit your opinion. If you want to stay anonymous PM me your answers.

Thank you for your time!
Stephan

1. From which country are you?

USA

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
a) I'm totally against this war
b) I like Saddam being removed, but dislike the way it happened
c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no
b) no, but I've changed my mind since no WMDs were found after the war
c) yes


4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no
b) no, but I've chaned my mind since Bush admitted they have no hint to back this up
c) yes

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
a) no, there may be some quick and short success, but in the end the terror gets worse
b) it's the only weapon we have, so we have to use it
c) it's an adequate method of dealing with terror

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
a) no
b) the Kurds* and Schiits* certainly wanted freedom, though it's questionable what government they want [* peoples in Iraq]
c) of course

7. Was the war for oil?
a) Yeah!
b) yes, though not neccessarily as a main reason
c) oil was no factor in the decision

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
a) obvisously yes
b) the war did help them, though that wasn't neccessarily a main reason
c) our president isn't influenzed by lobbys

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
a) that's a serious threat
b) I'm confident good politicians and civil rights movements will protect us
c) if it increases our security then so be it

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
a) it enalbes other countries to attack with very doubtful reasons and without punishment
b) look at ?Minority Report? and the pre-crime project: it didn't work
c) the main problem is to evaluate whether an intervention is justified
d) maybe Hitler and WW II could have been stopped by such a move
e) to a): they already do, there's nothing new with what the USA did
f) it's OK

 

[CADsortaGUY]

1. From which country are you?
*United States of America

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
*c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
*doesn't matter to me. But If that was my reasoning - then yes - better to err on the side of caution.

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
*a) not directly - But I don't doubt that Saddam supported the idea and *may* have supported them by aiding them indirectly via many channels


5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
*c) it's an adequate method of dealing with terror - the "terrorists" only know one way - fighting - diplomacy has no effect on them. Appeasement only goes so far as has been shown. Militarily may not be the perfect answer but is better than sitting on our hands in wait.

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
*I believe the people were repressed. For me to say that they "wanted" Democracy is rather pompus - I believe they wanted freedom though.

7. Was the war for oil?
*Only to the extent of protecting our interests in the region. Oil being one of them - yes.

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
*"his lobby" -nice

See answer to #7

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
*Yes and no. Slippery slope applies here.

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
*Pre-emption is a very valid form of "defense". It is being thrown around as a "dirty" buzz word lately, but the truth is that we and other's have used such tactics in the past. Some think this time was "severe" but I don't. Regimes who do not comply with terms they agreed to, to save their ass - do not get the benefit of the doubt as their prior actions have shown. Saddam was given one last chance to comply before we went back in - he called our bluff(as he had done to the UN successfully many times)

Sorry I got lengthy with the last one but it adds a bit of context to my answers. Your questions weren't "bad" but it is obvious what conclusion they were heading to. I answered them the best they could be answered within the confines of your goal.

CkG

 

[DealMonkey]

1. From which country are you? USA

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
a) I'm totally against this war
b) I like Saddam being removed, but dislike the way it happened
c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no
b) no, but I've changed my mind since no WMDs were found after the war
c) yes

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no
b) no, but I've chaned my mind since Bush admitted they have no hint to back this up
c) yes

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
a) no, there may be some quick and short success, but in the end the terror gets worse
b) it's the only weapon we have, so we have to use it
c) it's an adequate method of dealing with terror

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
a) no
b) the Kurds* and Schiits* certainly wanted freedom, though it's questionable what government they want [* peoples in Iraq]
c) of course

7. Was the war for oil?
a) Yeah!
b) yes, though not neccessarily as a main reason
c) oil was no factor in the decision

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
a) obvisously yes
b) the war did help them, though that wasn't neccessarily a main reason
c) our president isn't influenzed by lobbys

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
a) that's a serious threat
b) I'm confident good politicians and civil rights movements will protect us
c) if it increases our security then so be it

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
a) it enalbes other countries to attack with very doubtful reasons and without punishment
b) look at ?Minority Report? and the pre-crime project: it didn't work
c) the main problem is to evaluate whether an intervention is justified
d) maybe Hitler and WW II could have been stopped by such a move
e) to a): they already do, there's nothing new with what the USA did
f) it's OK

 

[adlep]

Thanks for your thread...
Make sure to compile your results in excell....:
1. From which country are you? USA

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
a) I'm totally against this war
b) I like Saddam being removed, but dislike the way it happened
c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no <- He wanted to stay in power in Iraq even for the price of having no WMD at all....
b) no, but I've changed my mind since no WMDs were found after the war
c) yes

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no As our leader have said few days ago...
b) no, but I've chaned my mind since Bush admitted they have no hint to back this up
c) yes

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
a) no, there may be some quick and short success, but in the end the terror gets worse agreed...
b) it's the only weapon we have, so we have to use it
c) it's an adequate method of dealing with terror

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
a) no No Bush No Saddam Yest to Islam....I am Polish, so I know...We were actively fighting for a freedom for 40 years....
b) the Kurds* and Schiits* certainly wanted freedom, though it's questionable what government they want [* peoples in Iraq]
c) of course

7. Was the war for oil?
a) Yeah!
b) yes, though not neccessarily as a main reason
c) oil was no factor in the decision

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
a) obvisously yes
b) the war did help them, though that wasn't neccessarily a main reason
c) our president isn't influenzed by lobbys

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
a) that's a serious threat
b) I'm confident good politicians and civil rights movements will protect us
c) if it increases our security then so be it

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
a) it enalbes other countries to attack with very doubtful reasons and without punishment
b) look at ?Minority Report? and the pre-crime project: it didn't work
c) the main problem is to evaluate whether an intervention is justified
d) maybe Hitler and WW II could have been stopped by such a move
e) to a): they already do, there's nothing new with what the USA did
f) it's OK

 

[marqucha]

1. From which country are you? Canada

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
a) I'm totally against this war
I like Saddam being removed, but dislike the way it happened
c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no[/b]
b) no, but I've changed my mind since no WMDs were found after the war
c) yes

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no
b) no, but I've chaned my mind since Bush admitted they have no hint to back this up
c) yes[/b]

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
a) no, there may be some quick and short success, but in the end the terror gets worse[/b]
b) it's the only weapon we have, so we have to use it
c) it's an adequate method of dealing with terror

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
a) no
b) the Kurds* and Schiits* certainly wanted freedom, though it's questionable what government they want [* peoples in Iraq][/b]
c) of course

7. Was the war for oil?
a) Yeah![/b]
b) yes, though not neccessarily as a main reason
c) oil was no factor in the decision

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
a) obvisously yes[/b]
b) the war did help them, though that wasn't neccessarily a main reason
c) our president isn't influenzed by lobbys

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
a) that's a serious threat[/b]
b) I'm confident good politicians and civil rights movements will protect us
c) if it increases our security then so be it

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
a) it enalbes other countries to attack with very doubtful reasons and without punishment[/b]
b) look at ?Minority Report? and the pre-crime project: it didn't work
c) the main problem is to evaluate whether an intervention is justified
d) maybe Hitler and WW II could have been stopped by such a move
e) to a): they already do, there's nothing new with what the USA did
f) it's OK

 

[MrSpadge]

Thank you for your support, it loks really good up to now!

@ marqucha
Did you want to answer all questions or just the first two? If it was a mistake feel free to try again.

@CAD
4: I had something like passive support in my first version, but came up with such a horribly difficult formulation that I dropped it. I should have added "d) I bet on passive support".

Concerning your final statement: you see my problem. I started looking at the topic from a "as neutral as possible for me" point of view and arrived around my current position several times. That's not the typical pacifistic position (details belong into my actual work )
I'm convinced that, concerning I'm a person who is against the war the way it happened, I came up with fair questions and answers.

When I have the final results next weekend I'll post them here.

MrS

 

[MrSpadge]

Anyone else?

And a real question as I'm new here: if I intended to bumb this thread about 2 times a day until the end of the week, would that be OK in this forum?

MrS

 

[athithi]

1. From which country are you?
India

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
a) I'm totally against this war
b) I like Saddam being removed, but dislike the way it happened
c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no
b) no, but I've changed my mind since no WMDs were found after the war
c) yes

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no
b) no, but I've chaned my mind since Bush admitted they have no hint to back this up
c) yes

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
a) no, there may be some quick and short success, but in the end the terror gets worse
b) it's the only weapon we have, so we have to use it
c) it's an adequate method of dealing with terror

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
a) no
b) the Kurds* and Shiites* certainly wanted freedom, though it's questionable what government they want [* peoples in Iraq]
c) of course

7. Was the war for oil?
a) Yeah!
b) yes, though not neccessarily as a main reason
c) oil was no factor in the decision

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
a) obvisously yes
b) the war did help them, though that wasn't neccessarily a main reason
c) our president isn't influenzed by lobbys

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
a) that's a serious threat
b) I'm confident good politicians and civil rights movements will protect us
c) if it increases our security then so be it

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
a) it enables other countries to attack with very doubtful reasons and without punishment
b) look at ?Minority Report? and the pre-crime project: it didn't work
c) the main problem is to evaluate whether an intervention is justified
d) maybe Hitler and WW II could have been stopped by such a move
e) to a): they already do, there's nothing new with what the USA did
f) it's OK

 

[ZaneNBK]

1. From which country are you?

US

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
a) I'm totally against this war
b) I like Saddam being removed, but dislike the way it happened
c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no
b) no, but I've changed my mind since no WMDs were found after the war
c) yes

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no
b) no, but I've chaned my mind since Bush admitted they have no hint to back this up
c) yes

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
a) no, there may be some quick and short success, but in the end the terror gets worse
b) it's the only weapon we have, so we have to use it
c) it's an adequate method of dealing with terror

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
a) no
b) the Kurds* and Schiits* certainly wanted freedom, though it's questionable what government they want [* peoples in Iraq]
c) of course

7. Was the war for oil?
a) Yeah!
b) yes, though not neccessarily as a main reason
c) oil was no factor in the decision

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
a) obvisously yes
b) the war did help them, though that wasn't neccessarily a main reason
c) our president isn't influenzed by lobbys
d) The question is unclear and the answers are biased. Bush was influenced by the publics need to do SOMETHING after 9/11 IMO.

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
a) that's a serious threat
b) I'm confident good politicians and civil rights movements will protect us
c) if it increases our security then so be it
d) Yes, it's already happened and will probably get worse.

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
a) it enalbes other countries to attack with very doubtful reasons and without punishment
b) look at ?Minority Report? and the pre-crime project: it didn't work - Minority Report was ill-concieved to begin with, bad example.
c) the main problem is to evaluate whether an intervention is justified
d) maybe Hitler and WW II could have been stopped by such a move
e) to a): they already do, there's nothing new with what the USA did
f) it's OK

 

[MrSpadge]

ZaneNBK
8: sure Bush had to do something (he did afghanistan) and certainly faces a lot of different interests if he's got to make a desicion. Those mentioned firms were surely in favor of the war, as it fits their busines perfectly. Now the question is: did he weight their voice in his decision to go to war? If he want's them to support him in the next election he can't p*ss them off.
9: so a) is your pick, the question says 'is used' and not 'will be used'
10: the lesson I took from minority report is: everybody might expect you to do something, but you don't have to. You still have the choice to change and nobody can say 100% sure what you'll do.

MrS

 

[ZaneNBK]

Originally posted by: MrSpadge
ZaneNBK
8: sure Bush had to do something (he did afghanistan) and certainly faces a lot of different interests if he's got to make a desicion. Those mentioned firms were surely in favor of the war, as it fits their busines perfectly. Now the question is: did he weight their voice in his decision to go to war? If he want's them to support him in the next election he can't p*ss them off.
9: so a) is your pick, the question says 'is used' and not 'will be used'
10: the lesson I took from minority report is: everybody might expect you to do something, but you don't have to. You still have the choice to change and nobody can say 100% sure what you'll do.

MrS

As for 8) I didn't like your available options. "our president isn't influenzed by lobbys" and "No, not in this case" are two entirely different answers. He IS influenced by lobbies, all (or almost all) politicians are. I don't believe they made any appreciable impact in his original decision to focus on Iraq.

As for 9) "that's a serious threat" is not the same as "Yes, it's happened." Threat implies that something will happen or could happen in the future.

10) I agree with the lesson, the movie's plot was still ill-concieved as the lesson was obvious from the start as the pre-crime division's very existance would've made obvious to most people. My answers on 10 remain the same.

 

[ITJunkie]

1) USA

2) a

3) a

4) a

5) c

6) c

7) b

8) b

9) a

10) c & d

FWIW

 

[MrSpadge]

ZaneNBK
8) OK, point for you. It would have been fair to include "No, not in this case".

9) Back in, say 1962, would you have agreed that "Russia with its nukes is a serious threat to our security."? The nukes were already there. So I combined 2 answers in 1. That's not a big deal because I don't have to diffrentiate between the two. But it's unfortunate when the formulation causes irritation, because your point of viewing it is valid as well.

10) Well, I didn't expect you to change your choice for 10

MrS

 

[alexruiz]

1. From which country are you?
Estados Unidos Mexicanos, commonly know as M&eacute;xico

2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
a) I'm totally against this war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
a) no, there may be some quick and short success, but in the end the terror gets worse


6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
a) no

They surely didn't want to be oppresed, but people need to understand that other countries and societies behave differently. That country is a mix of several racial and ethnic groups, so a strong hand was the only thing keeping it as an entity. They didn't wanted to be 'liberated"....

neither "democratized".... But many of them didn't want Saddam either. When they could have felt the need to overthrowm Saddam, it would have happened, as has happened in almost any country.


7. Was the war for oil?
a) Yeah!

If the war was not for oil CONTRACTS for the friends of the invader in chief, why weren't the OLD oil contracts with companies in several European countries respected and kept alive? After all, the war was for "chemical weapons and to stop terrorism...."

The new regime should have respected the former obligations of the country, no matter who got them. The new contracts are seen by many as a consequence, but they are not willing to think they are in fact the cause.... Respecting those contracts could have been a huge factor, as that fact alone could have drawn the international credibility and support from Europe, showing that the real intentions are more inline to the ones spoken in the speeches


8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
a) obvisously yes


9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
a) that's a serious threat

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
a) it enbles other countries to attack with very doubtful reasons and without punishment
c) the main problem is to evaluate whether an intervention is justified
d) maybe Hitler and WW II could have been stopped by such a move

Extremely complex question. The answer is not that simple. It could work, but you need FACTS and be completely SURE of what is going on. You need also to have the TRUTH ON YOUR SIDE...
When a mediocre person is in charge of the most powerful nation in the world, either he convinces the country he is the right guy or he is gone. Because he lacks skills a special event has to help him in order to prove he is worthy. He has taken advantage of a tragedy and use to deceive by injecting FEAR into the people. He makes people think that he is the protector and they are under direct attack , so he needs to act to protect them...... (Not that different of what the people in the USA have been said before, when they were "under attack from the commies...." )
However, this time is the lowest point, as lack of political skills emphasize the fact that he is unwilling to listen and negotiate, what even further contrasts the lies....
This FEAR is what gave him the "popularity" seen on TV. People really think that he is doing the right thing to protect the country. The mob only see and believe what the TV says, but even some of them are realizing the "reason" to attack is not there....
This is only going to get WORSE, as no amount of military equipment can stop the feeling of revenge when other people feel oppresed (as shown by history) and you don't need huge amount of weapons or technology to strike back. In fact, ALL they need is "huevos" (balls) and a little of tweaking in a plan, as witnessed by the planes colliding..... Sad but true.

 

[gistech1978]

Originally posted by: MrSpadge
Hi guys,
I'm going to ask you for something different today. I have to write a homework on the self choosen topic ?iraq war? where I want to concentrate on the reasons and justifications for the war. You know we Europeans were not really happy about it happening the way it did. There is the cliche of the American as a fanatic-patriotic bush-man as well. I know a lot of you aren't this way, but I can't say how many. Therefore I want to take this survey and will hopefully be able to paint a different picture of the Americans.

I don't want to offend anybody, so please don't turn this thread into a flame war. Stick to the answers and keep it short, if they absolutely don't fit your opinion. If you want to stay anonymous PM me your answers.

Thank you for your time!
Stephan

1. From which country are you? USA


2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
a) I'm totally against this war
b) I like Saddam being removed, but dislike the way it happened
c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no
b) no, but I've changed my mind since no WMDs were found after the war
c) yes

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no
b) no, but I've chaned my mind since Bush admitted they have no hint to back this up
c) yes

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
a) no, there may be some quick and short success, but in the end the terror gets worse
b) it's the only weapon we have, so we have to use it
c) it's an adequate method of dealing with terror

6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
a) no
b) the Kurds* and Schiits* certainly wanted freedom, though it's questionable what government they want [* peoples in Iraq]
c) of course

7. Was the war for oil?
a) Yeah!
b) yes, though not neccessarily as a main reason
c) oil was no factor in the decision

8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
a) obvisously yes
b) the war did help them, though that wasn't neccessarily a main reason
c) our president isn't influenzed by lobbys

9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
a) that's a serious threat
b) I'm confident good politicians and civil rights movements will protect us
c) if it increases our security then so be it

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
a) it enalbes other countries to attack with very doubtful reasons and without punishment
b) look at ?Minority Report? and the pre-crime project: it didn't work
c) the main problem is to evaluate whether an intervention is justified
d) maybe Hitler and WW II could have been stopped by such a move
e) to a): they already do, there's nothing new with what the USA did
f) it's OK

 

[MrSpadge]

Anyone else? I'm going to stop the survey tomorrow and will post the results over the weekend.

MrS

 

[MrSpadge]

With this post I end the survey.
Thanks again to all who participated!

MrS / stephan

 

[0roo0roo]

1. From which country are you?
usa


2. Your general attitude towards the Iraq war?
c) I agree with the US governments actions concerning the war- it had to be done.

3. Do you believe today that there was a real and immediate threat to the USA because of Saddams weapons of mass destruction (WMD)?
a) no

4. Do you think today that Saddam worked together with al-Qaida in the field of terror?
a) no- but his open defiance only proved to reinforce those who are against the west.

5. Can the ?war against terror? be won by the military?
b) it's the only weapon we have, so we have to use it


6. Did the Iraqi want to be liberated and democratized?
c) of course- your answers are a tad limited. they have been raised under saddam for longer then germany was under hitler. of course its going to take a while to debathisize the country.

7. Was the war for oil?
b) yes, though not neccessarily as a main reason -- here again your answers are biased. why isn't there a choice that says no, its wasn't a main reason, but its a consideration that one shouldn't allow tyranical regiems to benifit from vast resources. after all, thats what makes them dangerous. there are easier ways to get oil, for instance, coddling tyrants.


8. Was Bush influenced by his lobby? (the oil- and weapon firms)
b) the war did help them, though that wasn't neccessarily a main reason


9. Are you afraid the ?war against terror? is used to cut the Americans civil rights?
what? no moderate choice possible? great survey you have here... not!

10. What about the concept of preemptive self defense, as used to justify iraq war?
[multiple choice if needed]
doubtful reasons? a country that defied the impotent un endlessly? if problems were nipped in the bud more often we wouldn't have countries like north korea threatening nukes endlessly.


your poll is heavily biased and gives inadequate or oversimplified options to those that disagree with you. its more like a push poll then anything else.

any results from such a flawed poll are rather pointless.

 

[MrSpadge]

OrooOroo,
I don't deny to have given biased answers. Honestly, it wasn't easy to work the questions and answers out in the way they are now. If I had done some kind of "beta testing" after the "alpha test" they would have been fairer. But I'm convinced the situation isn't as bad as you think.

6) Do I get you right:"Because of the long time under Saddam there will be some problems concerning the government. We can't just go in and *snip* have a western style democracy."? Then b) would be the pick, like 100% of the germans took.

7) This choice isn't there because with the UN embargo Iraq couldn't profit much from the oil.

9) You want to say this did not already happen? Before the patriot act, was the police able to keep you in prison several days without any evidence against you? Now someone just calls you a terrorist and they can do that. You may shout at the police how ridiculous that is, but they won't listen. You're the first one who want's to answer 'no, this doesn't /didn't happen' to this question.
Anyway, b) says that they want to cut your rights, but you're confident they won't succeed.
Maybe I should have added 'no'. Though here in the forums you can always write 'd) no' if you really feel the need to.

10) You obvisously believe the reasons for going to iraq war were OK. So don't pick a), enough other people did. You surely agree to f), maybe to c, d or e too?

A lot of additional comments were written, but nearly none of them wanted to express the same. So if I wanted to adress them all I'd have needed to double the amount of answers...

> any results from such a flawed poll are rather pointless.

I can make some good points out of it. The absolute percentages don't matter anyway because of not enough participants and a pre-selected target group. I want to work out differenced between Germans and Americans / Others. The accomplish this the survey was good enough.

MrS

 

[MrSpadge]

As promised here are the results:
http://www.winipuh.de/results.pdf

The german version looks somewhat nicer, but I didn't want to correct it again. It should be good enough to look at it anyway

Regards & Thx,
MrS / Stephan