War FAQ

The St. Petersburg Times has an interesting - and reasonably well-balanced - FAQ about the situation with Iraq.  It addresses questions including what authorization Bush has to start the war, why Saddam was not removed during the first Gulf War, how much resistance is expected from the Iraqi troops, how many troops we're planning to deply (around a quarter of a million soldiers, plus aircraft carriers, planes and other support troops and equipment), what kind of assistance have other countries pledged (which so far total about 42,000 and 44,070 depending on whether or not the war received UN support), and how the US intends to deploy chickens to help protect our soldiers.

Some of the questions - and their answers - raise additional questions:

7) What's the cost -- in lives -- to remove Hussein?

An estimated 100,000 to 200,000 Iraqis could die during warfare, nongovernment and humanitarian agencies say. After the war, another 200,000 Iraqis could die because of malnutrition, poor health facilities and economic deprivation. More could die in the chaos during and after a war, as long-frustrated factions seek to settle scores. Iraq's population figures are not reliable, but estimates suggest it has about 24-million people. Figures vary, but an estimated 85,000 Iraqis were killed or wounded in the Persian Gulf War.

Many who support the war say that the Iraqi people want this war and that the loss of some civilians is a cost that may be worth paying to eliminate Saddam.  I have to wonder, though, if "some" is the same as up to 200,00 during and another 200,000 after?  Has anyone verified with the Iraqi citizens that they consider this a fair price to pay for eliminating Saddam?

14) Why are so many countries reluctant to support the U.S. position?

Lack of popular support at home, primarily. Many countries voicing opposition to war have democratically elected governments and must be sensitive to public sentiment. Opposition in some nations is overwhelming -- greater than 80 percent in France, more than 9 out of 10 in Turkey. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder recently won re-election, to a great extent, because he opposed war.

Democratically elected governments must be sensitive to public sentiment?  Has anyone explained this to Bush and company lately?