# "The News We Kept to Ourselves" - Frightening confessions of CNN reporter re Iraq **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 11, 2003, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029 "2003-04-11T13:42:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/1 "2003-04-11T13:42:34Z")
I knew Saddam was not the nicest guy… but _man_. [The News We Kept to Ourselves](http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/11/opinion/11JORD.html?ex=1050638400&en=ea21e8c88feae21c&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE) [sub] > [@](#): > > The News We Kept to Ourselves > By EASON JORDAN > I came to know several Iraqi officials well enough that they confided in me that Saddam Hussein was a maniac who had to be removed. One Foreign Ministry officer told me of a colleague who, finding out his brother had been executed by the regime, was forced, as a test of loyalty, to write a letter of congratulations on the act to Saddam Hussein. An aide to Uday once told me why he had no front teeth: henchmen had ripped them out with pliers and told him never to wear dentures, so he would always remember the price to be paid for upsetting his boss. Again, we could not broadcast anything these men said to us. … > > Then there were the events that were not unreported but that nonetheless still haunt me. A 31-year-old Kuwaiti woman, Asrar Qabandi, was captured by Iraqi secret police occupying her country in 1990 for “crimes,” one of which included speaking with CNN on the phone. They beat her daily for two months, forcing her father to watch. In January 1991, on the eve of the American-led offensive, they smashed her skull and tore her body apart limb by limb. A plastic bag containing her body parts was left on the doorstep of her family’s home. > > I felt awful having these stories bottled up inside me. Now that Saddam Hussein’s regime is gone, I suspect we will hear many, many more gut-wrenching tales from Iraqis about the decades of torment. At last, these stories can be told freely. [/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/2 "2003-04-11T13:58:12Z")
Be quite you right wing nut. You just want to rain bombs and untold suffering on the Iraqi people! ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/3 "2003-04-11T14:19:05Z")
Ba-dum ching! ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/4 "2003-04-11T14:39:10Z")
But is there any evidence that he personally engaged in torture or murder while while serving as president or vice-president? (And I am in no way defending Field Marshal Saddam Hussein.) ---
**Author:** ![Contrary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@Contrary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrary)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/5 "2003-04-11T15:02:37Z")
OTOH – did Hitler personally take part in the atrocities of his regime? ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/6 "2003-04-11T15:45:03Z")
> [@](#): > > One Foreign Ministry officer told me of a colleague So yet an unnamed source speak of secondhand information? The alarm goes off again. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/7 "2003-04-11T20:07:32Z")
Do the words _incubator_ _babies_ _Kuwait_ ring a bell? It could be true. But a healthy dose of skepticism never hurts. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Know\_Lots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@I\_Know\_Lots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Know_Lots)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/8 "2003-04-11T20:12:49Z")
You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth! [www.indict.org.uk/](http://www.indict.org.uk/) Happy reading, doubters. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/9 "2003-04-11T21:42:04Z")
Let’s not forget the noble, peace-loving Scott Ritter (emphasis added): [http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,351165,00.html](http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,351165,00.html) > [@](#): > > “You’ve spoke about having seen the children’s prisons in Iraq. Can you describe what you saw there?” > > "The prison in question is at the General Security Services headquarters, which was inspected by my team in Jan. 1998. It appeared to be a **prison for children - toddlers up to pre-adolescents** - whose only crime was to be the offspring of those who have spoken out politically against the regime of Saddam Hussein. It was a horrific scene. **Actually I’m not going to describe what I saw there because what I saw was so horrible that it can be used by those who would want to promote war with Iraq, and right now I’m waging peace."** ---
**Author:** ![FranticMad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c68b51/32.png) [@FranticMad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FranticMad)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/10 "2003-04-11T22:13:35Z")
I’m shocked by the OP. I feel utterly chastened, especially after so many people here strenuously argued that Saddam and his regime were really, really, nice cuddly folks. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/11 "2003-04-11T22:23:39Z")
Yes, this will seriously damage the “Why are we attacking Saddam? He’s such a nice guy!” faction. They’ll have to put on their tinfoil helmets and really think about things. Both of them. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Know\_Lots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@I\_Know\_Lots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Know_Lots)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/12 "2003-04-11T22:23:41Z")
That’s not the point, **FranticMad**. Most people, including your average “anti-war” type, will tell you that Saddam is a “bad” dictator. What they are not aware of, and (without getting too political) what sections of the “anti-war” movement would not like to accept and to be made publically known, is that he is not just “bad”, but that he is, without hyperbole, utterly and stomach-churningly evil. The depths of his evil is something that many people don’t know about, may not care about, or may find politically inconvinient when arguing against his overthrow. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/13 "2003-04-11T22:28:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by I Know Lots \* > \*\*That’s not the point, **FranticMad**. Most people, including your average “anti-war” type, will tell you that Saddam is a “bad” dictator. What they are not aware of, and (without getting too political) what sections of the “anti-war” movement would not like to accept and to be made publically known, is that he is not just “bad”, but that he is, without hyperbole, utterly and stomach-churningly evil. The depths of his evil is something that many people don’t know about, may not care about, or may find politically inconvinient when arguing against his overthrow. \*\* Um, there is plenty of evidence that U.S. supported dictators in Central and South America and elsewhere have done things to their political prisoners and minorities that are as foul as anything Saddam has ever done. If you’re interested in exploring this topic, Amnesty International will give you an earful, all of it utterly and stomach-churningly evil. Sadly, Saddam is far from unique in this respect. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Know\_Lots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@I\_Know\_Lots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Know_Lots)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/14 "2003-04-11T22:36:43Z")
I’m all too aware of that, **Evil Captor**. But one naughty moustachied dictator removed is no bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/15 "2003-04-11T22:46:49Z")
I have yet to see an anti-war protestor/ peace advocate say that Saddam should not be removed or that he was/is not evil. Why do some of those who have supported the war have to make up lies like this to make a point? Isn’t the truth you have to offer strong enough? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/16 "2003-04-11T23:03:03Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m all too aware of that, Evil Captor. But one naughty moustachied dictator removed is no bad thing. Damn right! But don’t you, **I know lots** ,see the selective hypocrisy in this? Unfortunately, I pre-emptively think the answer is _probably not_. But I’m always willing to be proved wrong. ---
**Author:** ![FranticMad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c68b51/32.png) [@FranticMad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FranticMad)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2003, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/17 "2003-04-11T23:19:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by I Know Lots \* > \*\*sections of the “anti-war” movement would not like to accept…that he is, without hyperbole, utterly and stomach-churningly evil. \*\* Cite? This does not seem credible. I don’t know of any average anti-war type who does not know of Saddam’s evil depths. Perhaps the revelations of his evil are new to you, but the average anti-war people I know are, by contrast, very well-informed in this regard. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2003, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/18 "2003-04-12T00:20:04Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally written by T. S. Eliot_ > **The last temptation is the greatest treason; > To do the right thing for the wrong reason.** (Anti-This-War [and most wars] speaking up) I think Saddam being out of power is a Good Thing. I think he is (or was) an evil, evil man who does not deserve to be in charge of so much as an ant farm, much less a nation full of human beings. That being said, I do not think we had the right reasons going into this war. I highly doubt that our disgust over Iraqi human rights violations was the motivating factor in this war. Maybe I’m cynical. I just think that, were this the case, we’d be in a lot more wars, using better justification for our actions. We didn’t go in because Saddam was being evil–we would’ve gone in to other countries, if that were the case. We went in for reasons I don’t entirely comprehend, but which _appear_ to have little to do with regard for human life. I’m glad that this war has had the effect of removing a revolting madman from power. I wish that the Iraqi people didn’t have to go through all this. But I don’t think we had the best motivations for going in there–otherwise, we would have done so a long, long time ago. I just thank the gods that some good has come out of this, and that things were not as horrible as they conceivably could have been. And I mourn. ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/19 "2003-04-12T00:47:27Z")
I think this is how a lot of anti-war folks see it when people pull out this evidence that Hussein is evil. President: Nuclear Waste is bad! People: Agreed! President: We have found a way to rid ourselves of it, though! We can set it ablaze, obliterating it forever. It will kill everything within a 300-mile radius. Therefore, we have decided to run this operation in South Dakota. People: Um… Won’t that kill everyone in South Dakota? President: **Do you need more proof that Nuclear Waste is bad?!?!** ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2003, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029/20 "2003-04-12T01:13:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Achernar \* > \*\*I think this is how a lot of anti-war folks see it when people pull out this evidence that Hussein is evil. > > President: Nuclear Waste is bad! > > People: Agreed! > > President: We have found a way to rid ourselves of it, though! We can set it ablaze, obliterating it forever. It will kill everything within a 300-mile radius. Therefore, we have decided to run this operation in South Dakota. > > People: Um… Won’t that kill everyone in South Dakota? > > President: **Do you need more proof that Nuclear Waste is bad?!?!** \*\* though, I disagreed with this war, the one line of reasoning frmo the antiwar folks that drove me crazy was this one: Prez:Nuclear waste is bad people: agreed Prez: We need to get rid of it people:but we’ve known it was bad for 12 years, why get rid of it now? Prez: huh? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-news-we-kept-to-ourselves-frightening-confessions-of-cnn-reporter-re-iraq/168029.md?page=2)