Ramki - go fuck yourself for using Paine's speech and applying it to Saddam. You are a sick joke. And pre-emptively, I make no apologies for thatpersonal attack. You are twisting the words of a patriot and philosophical advocate of freedom and applying them to one of the most brutal men and regimes of the 20th century. That makes me ill. You are an opportunistic, immoral gasbag.

Hi Wardolino,

"These are the times that try men's souls."

I understand your outburst, but it is precisely this rush of blood which makes you commit errors.

Error 1: Thomas paine did not make the speech.Patrick Henry did . Thomas paine was an English citizen. He emigrated to USA in 1775. So he had little part to play in ine American struggle for Independence. He later returned to Europe, supported the French Revolution, was branded an outlaw in Britain, almost executed in France, returned to USA and dies a drunk and a pauper.

The speech I quoted was by Patrick Henry.
Patrick Henry was one of the most celebrated orators of the American Revolution. Failed as both a storekeeper and a farmer before being admitted to the Virginia bar in 1760. Won fame in 1763 after a case in which he defended the right of the colony to fix the price of the tobacco in which the clergy were paid, despite a contrary ruling from London. One of the founders of the revolutionary movement in the staid South.

The context of the speech :
Britain seeks to exercise greater copntrol over US and had already imposed military rule over several areas including Boston ( after the Tea party incident) . Patrick Henry addresses the house. Before him, speakers have advocated milder solutions to avoid war with the British. Henry calls for war.

Error :2
"They convinced me that Saddam was a monster the likes of which the world had not seen since Stalin and Hitler. He and his sons are sick sadists"

So US is waging a war against sadism now ? They'll go after all sadists of the world ? Is that what you honestly believe. If so, why wait so long ?

"Some of the Iraqis he interviewed on camera "told me they would commit suicide if American bombing didn't start"
Do you believe this ? How many iraqis have committed suicide in the last few years because American bombing did not start ?

"You just arrived," he said. "You're late. What took you so long? God help you become victorious. I want to say hello to Bush, to shake his hand. We came out of the grave.""

Why are troops not surrendering in thousands? Why are people not breaking out of the cities to welcome their saviours?

Take an unbiased look and you'll see a different story than what you believe to be true !

/I love you too !
Ramki