The International Committee of the Red Cross has decided to
diminish the number of non-Iraqi personnel in Baghdad citing an elevated
risk of terrorist attack. Credible information indicating that terrorist
factions loyal to Saddam Hussein have targeted the Red Cross
in Baghdad has surfaced sparking the move by the international committee. In
the face of this threat it is obvious what is needed in Baghdad, the
intestinal fortitude of those human shields!
Before the coalition took action to remove Saddam Hussein from his seat of
terror the world saw hundreds if not thousands of people with the bravery
and wherewithal to take on the badge of human shield. They championed the
ruthless Iraqi regime and set out to lay their bodies in the line of fire in
an effort to preserve the right of the Iraqi madman to torture, rape and
murder his own people by the hundreds of thousands. They went to Baghdad to
stand shoulder to shoulder with those of the totalitarian regime in defense
of their country from the oppressors of the coalition. One by one, as they
arrived in Iraq they were placed at important civilian positions in order to
save the lives of innocents. These positions included oil refineries, sulfur
plants, and outlaying military positions that had nothing to do with
humanitarianism, much to the human shield’s surprise and dismay. Because
they were not allowed to risk life and limb protecting their Iraqi
compatriots at the local Starbucks they reluctantly left the country,
shaking their fists at the evil oppressors of the coalition and
pontificating on how the coalition was violating Saddam Hussein’s civil
rights.
Now
we are seeing the Iraqi people once again being brutalized by splinters of
the brutal regime that once was. At the expense of the majority of the Iraqi
people’s wellbeing, disgruntled factions who are operating in a "last stand”
scenario are targeting organizations and personnel that are there to provide
humanitarian and infrastructural aid. They are destroying places and
utilities that rightfully belong to the Iraqi people in an effort to sway
public opinion by creating ill will in mass toward the coalition forces.
This targeting of "soft targets” creates a difficult situation for the
coalition forces as they are being required to be all places at all times,
courtesy of the lack of Iraqi involvement with their own security. At no
other time during this conflict would the services of those diligent human
shields be more welcomed.
It would be a brilliant sight to see those brave men and women arriving at
the Baghdad airport armed with their bright red shirts adorned with their
titles of human shields. They could actually be put in positions at
vulnerable humanitarian aid organization locations such as the United
Nations compound and the buildings that house the International Red Cross.
Certainly those who have been employing terrorism to thwart the missions of
these humanitarian organizations would see the futility of their actions
once the human shields were put in place. Why, I am sure it would be only a
matter of time before they gave up and relented to democracy and a free
Iraq, an Iraq devoid of terror and brutality. Hoorah for the human shields!
The saviors of the Iraqi people!
Of course, I am being facetious.
I find it quite reprehensible that these ultra-liberal, quasi-socialist
do-gooders remain silent while terrorists blow-up locations housing
humanitarian organizations. Where is their outrage now? Why aren’t they
loading themselves into airplanes and heading for Baghdad to protest against
those who would end the lives of innocents? Why aren’t they trying to help
those who need it?
It is incredible that those who asserted their conviction for peace at all
cost have suddenly decided that peace isn’t worth their time. Less then 6
months ago they were standing in the streets, arms locked together in
defiance of the law, protesting against violence of any kind, yet now they
remain silent as violence descends on innocents from around the world who
have committed themselves to helping those who need it. The hypocrisy they
employ and exude is staggering. But then that is the attention span of the
liberal-left for you.
The bottom line: those who committed themselves as human shields before the
conflict began were not peace activists they were anti-Bush/anti-American
activists. They have yet to pick up theoretical arms against terrorism in
Iraq and around the world with the same enthusiasm they protest anything
Bush or American. They hide behind the banner of peace activist,
environmental activist, and animal rights activist and yet their activism
only spawns divisiveness and discontent while the cries of a people who need
real help in order to survive go unheeded.
Perhaps the reason we aren’t seeing them protesting the terrorism in Iraq
and around the world is that they have no conviction of the heart and no
sense for what is right. Perhaps they are the malcontents of our era. Then
again, perhaps they are too busy making sure that everything with a
religious tint is removed from anything government. After all, that’s much
more important than helping someone stay alive. Right?
Activists…a study in futility.Frank Salvato
is a political media consultant and the managing editor for The New Media Journal.us. He
is a contributing writer for The Washington Dispatch, GOPUSA,
OpinionEditorials, Men’s News Daily, Canada Free Press & AmericanDaily. His
pieces are regularly featured in Townhall.com. He has appeared as a guest on
The O’Reilly Factor, The Kevin Matthews Radio Show (Chicago) and The Brad
Messer Radio Show (San Antonio). His pieces have been recognized by the
Japan Center for Conflict Prevention and are occasionally featured in The
Washington Times and The London Morning Paper as well as other national and
international publications.
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