[Population: One] <A HREF="http://popone.innocence.com/ar

[bryant]

"Under the plans, troops would funnel Fallujans to so-called citizen processing centers on the outskirts of the city to compile a database of their identities through DNA testing and retina scans. Residents would receive badges displaying their home addresses that they must wear at all times. Buses would ferry them into the city, where cars, the deadliest tool of suicide bombers, would be banned."

Mark of the Beast! Mark of the Beast!

This wouldn't be quite as disturbing if they weren't referring to Falljuah as a potential "model city." If that's the model for all of Iraq, I can't say I'm too optimistic. As always, I have no doubt that these tactics will increase security in at least the short term. As always, I am deeply concerned that we have failed to ask ourselves whether or not increased security is worth the cost.

Of course, once we attacked Fallujah, something like this was inevitable. And once we attacked Iraq, it was inevitable that we would have a rebel city like Fallujah on our hands. (Given the competence level of the people running our country.) It was even predictable.

The invasion of Iraq, however, was not inevitable. It's no good going back that far and saying "well, we had to invade Iraq." Alas, the wild horses are now coming home to roost.

Comments

[multiplexer.livejournal.com]

Shadows of Warsaw, 1936.

I have a hard time seeing the difference between forced wearing of identifying badges and forced labor groups and forced wearing of identifying badges and forced labor groups. Does it matter if the badge is a retinal scan or a Star of David?

[bryant]

Application of the badges to everyone in the city regardless of ethnicity and the presumed lack of intent to kill everyone wearing a badge.

It matters some. The slope ends in the same place but we are not all the way down it.

[multiplexer.livejournal.com]

Considering we used phosphorous rounds on the city, I am not convinced we aren't trying to kill everyone wearing a badge.

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

You can just smell the freedom in Iraq all the way over here.