My friend is going to Iraq as a human shield

[Caligastia]

I have mixed feelings. Part of me is angry that he would do something so stupid , and part of me is sad because I know he could possibly be killed.

He always was a wide-eyed idealist. I just hope it doesn't get him killed. He really is a nice guy, and I can believe he is doing something so idiotic.

Here is a message from him that was posted on the humanshields website:

"Anyone with any loved ones, children, parents, friends.
Anyone with a conscience must surely wonder ‘what’s going on?’
This simply must not be allowed to continue in our lifetimes.
‘Practise random kindness and senseless acts of beauty’.
Good luck to us all and everyone concerned."

Richard Trutwein, 30, London, UK


I think he's really gone off the deep end with these crazy human shield people...

[SlowwHand]

Sorry to hear it, Cal.

[Caligastia]

Me too. I really hope he will be ok.

[Sava]

I don't know what's more sad. People sacrificing themselves as human shields, or the fact that the US wouldn't even blink when deciding to drop bombs on them?

I can only hope for your friends safety Cal.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Sava
I don't know what's more sad. People sacrificing themselves as human shields, or the fact that the US wouldn't even blink when deciding to drop bombs on them?

I don't think the US specifically intends to drop bombs on civilians, but of course all wars have casualties. I think it's better in the long run for the people of Iraq if the US takes out Saddam.

I can only hope for your friends safety Cal.

Me too.

[Sava]

I don't think the US specifically intends to drop bombs on civilians, but of course all wars have casualties. I think it's better in the long run for the people of Iraq if the US takes out Saddam.

*cough* Dresden *cough* Hiroshima *cough* Nagasaki...

and with all "blah blah the American military technology is so advanced" crap, I don't except ineptness or ignorance as an excuse for civilian deaths.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Sava

*cough* Dresden *cough* Hiroshima *cough* Nagasaki...

Those all happened long ago. War was fought differently then.

and with all "blah blah the American military technology is so advanced" crap, I don't except ineptness or ignorance as an excuse for civilian deaths.

It's simply not possible to have a war without civilian deaths. Does this mean you are opposed to war under any circumstances?

[Sarxis]

Human shield: 5 hitpoints

Bunker-buster: 65,000 firepower

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Anun Ik Oba
Human shield: 5 hitpoints

Bunker-buster: 65,000 firepower

We're talking about someone's friend here. Try to have a little tact.

Cali, have people tried to convince him not to go? I mean, I may be opposed to what the U.S. is planning to do there, but I would still do everything I could to talk someone I knew out of going. There's little point in going there to put one's self in harms way deliberately.

[Fidel]

Originally posted by Anun Ik Oba
Human shield: 5 hitpoints

Bunker-buster: 65,000 firepower

that was pretty sick

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Cali, have people tried to convince him not to go? I mean, I may be opposed to what the U.S. is planning to do there, but I would still do everything I could to talk someone I knew out of going. There's little point in going there to put one's self in harms way deliberately.

I would talk him out of it if I could, but unfortunately I have no direct way of communicating with him at the moment. He moves around a lot, so he rarely has a permanent address, and he doesn't use email. He's a real hippie.

Besides, I really don't think there is anything I could do to talk him out of it. He can be stubborn.

[Gangerolf]

the human shield people - are they going to "protect" Iraqi military targets, or are they just going to stay in civilian areas?

Killed Western human shields would be great for Iraqi propaganda methinks

[Caligastia]

Boris-
Also, I got the email informing me of this from his ex, who seems to support this.

I don't think there is anyone who he associates with that would try to talk him out of it.

[Az]

hope he's not hurt, Cali.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Gangerolf
the human shield people - are they going to "protect" Iraqi military targets, or are they just going to stay in civilian areas?

I imagine they would stay in civilian areas, but who's to say Saddam's thugs won't force them into their military areas in an attempt to stop the US from attacking?

This is so insane.

Killed Western human shields would be great for Iraqi propaganda methinks

Yep.