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Editorial: Consider Iraqi's point of view The Post-Standard, Syracuse, N.Y. June 30 Just for a minute. Try and think of it from an Iraqi's point of view. For decades, you've lived in a country oppressed by a despot. You suffer through the first Gulf War, and the despot is still there. So the United Nations imposes sanctions. Now you are oppressed and even poorer. The despot hangs out in his palaces and uses the oil-for-food program to shore up his power. Relief only goes to those he favors. His smugglers control the contraband oil market. Then, the United States decides the despot has to go. Thousands of troops land. Even though the invaders think of themselves as liberators, thousands of Iraqis are killed. And somehow, this most powerful nation in the world can't get water and food to those who need it. Then, three children find a bag of explosive powder left behind by soldiers and are badly burned. Their father takes the blistered youngsters, 10 and 11, to a U.S. Army unit. Army doctors turn the children away. Sure, it's hard to think of it this way, but many Iraqis blame the United States for the sanctions that ruined countless lives. The U.S. government and military have to begin to act on that perception. Now that Saddam Hussein is neutralized, relief and rebuilding are the most important tasks. Iraqis will not feel liberated until their lives improve. Until that happens, the snipers, the bombers, the one-a-day killers will keep the sympathy of their country and will recruit easily among the angry. ... LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -