Hilary Benn on tackling voters negative perceptions of Iraq

[mctagnutandfries]

I notice Cohen & Hitchens have very similar positions regarding war, the left and religion, but seem to differ on Blair and probably some other stuff - when are they going to debate about something? Somebody more influential than me should set that up and video it -hint hint-.

[westphalianprinz]

Tony needs to take Hilary out and beat the shit out of him for this.

[MajesticIndolence]

Seankellett's outrage is selective and his language is hyperbolic--except when it's not, and genocide and totalitarian rule dwindle to a "bad situation" that has been made "even worse." A little more disinterestedness, please (look it up, SK).

[seankellett]

MI, thank-you for unwittingly demonstrating the central point of my argument.

[MajesticIndolence]

You have an argument?

[seankellett]

Witless to the end I see.

No matter. I notice the Chicago Tribune has a news item headlined "Iraqi girl's horrific death".

Well good for you guys. You got rid of Saddam and in his place you've given the Iraqi people the Taliban.

You must feel so proud.

[seankellett]

"Mistakes where made"? No, yours were far graver than mere "mistakes", they were crimes of the highest order, directly leading to the deaths of thousands.

So please, excuse me while I treat your confected outrage at my supposed disinterest in suicide bombing with the contempt that it deserves.

[Apologies for the multiple posts, but 500 characters was not enough to do justice to the outrage I felt at Mr. Benn's comments]

[lordweiner]

Your a Saddam apologist

[seankellett]

Whatever.

It takes a special kind of stupid - and criminal negligence - to replace that SOB Saddam with something even worse.

[LIVERLADD]

So because are coalition never forseen the level of mass civil disorder.And are only now addressing it you think that they should have forseen that.

[seankellett]

Of course, amongst enlightened people it goes without saying that suicide bombing is an abomination. It simply amazes me that you require constant confirmation of this blaringly obvious point and makes me question whether you are even aware of your role in this disgraceful "war".

So I say it clearly: it was your government who gave these madmen the security-free space in which to commit their unspeakable acts and for this you stand condemned.

[LIVERLADD]

Just try supporting the goverment of Iraq and what out troops are trying to do over there or is that to differcult.

[seankellett]

You mean the government that has just taken a month long vacation in the middle of a civil war? I should be supporting that one?

I mean, for the love of god, just how daft are you?

[LIVERLADD]

It has just taken its going to take it.And there being asked to reconsider the length.But then again there lives are hardly normal are they.

[TwoBlumen]

Exactly. I'm fed up with the Stop the War Coalition. We get rid of a dictator who killed millions of his own people, and these idiots are against it. Plus, they can't even bring themselves to support the fine work our troops are doing.

[LIVERLADD]

Well said:)

[kmarkymark]

how do you support a soldier. Sing hosanas to T Blair for his bravery and join the parade. Intelectuals love a parade.

[nem700]

@TwoBlumen

millions of his own people? think again. that was the UN under their sanctions. that was the uk and us after the invasion. outsiders have killed far more iraqies than saddam.

[kmarkymark]

The Iraqi government has a problem, try to seem democratic and representative to Iraqis while following every order from Washington.

The US/Uk would love to withdraw but the client regime would last as long as Vichey France with German troops and support.

[seankellett]

Mr Benn, it is to your eternal shame that you and your government (and mine I admit in disgust) took what was a bad situation in Iraq under Saddam and made it even worse. Yet despite your absolute and utter failure, you have the hide to take umbrage with anti-war advocates because we aren't sufficiently critical of suicide bombers? I mean listen to yourself: "mistakes were made" you admit in passing, but look, isn't suicide bombing despicable!

[LIVERLADD]

He also said no matter wether you supported the war or not.Now iraq has a fragile democracy so you either support that democracy or the suiside bombrs.I guess you must fall under the latter.

[seankellett]

No matter whether you supported the invasion or not, the very first thing we must do now is get rid of the incompetent failures who led us into this quagmire.

These people don't have the moral standing to get up and pontificate to the rest of us - you know, the honest, decent people who were right all along - about the horrors of suicide bombers. They were the ones who unleashed that unholy menace by creating the security-free conditions in the first place!

[seankellett]

To add: Once the failures are gone and can't come back, then we talk about fagile democracies and the like. Not before.

[LIVERLADD]

Oh i see so there was no suicide bombs and attacks before we went into Iraq. Gosh why carn`t i be as clever as you.