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The Fire This Time: U.S. War Crimes In The Gulf
Based on research conducted in more than 20 countries as well as eyewitness accounts, this book refutes the misinformation disseminated by corporate media and government sources about U.S. involvement in Iraq. Descriptions of war-torn Iraq during and after Operation Desert Storm illustrate the effect war crimes and violations of international law had on the Iraqi people; updated material examines how the people are still being affected more than a decade later. Analysis of the second Bush administration's use of the September 11 events to justify a new war against Iraq is included, as are letters to President Bush and the media.
325 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 21, 2008
It doesn't really deserve five stars because it's dull and you hear the same tragic and depressing theme chapter after chapter after chapter... But it was probably THE most informative tool I came across in helping me to decide as a soldier in the U.S. Army reserves I could no longer support the organiztion I had signed my life over to.
I refused to participate in any military activity what-so-ever from December 1997 until I was (as far as I know) legally discharged in October of 2002.
I refused to participate in any military activity what-so-ever from December 1997 until I was (as far as I know) legally discharged in October of 2002.
September 4, 2010
A historical documentation of crimes of the first order. In an International Court of Law, the USA would be handed a sentence of "life" without parole.
Mr. Ramsey Clark did a first class job in stripping naked the actions of the USA in being a terrorist state of the first order.
Mr. Ramsey Clark did a first class job in stripping naked the actions of the USA in being a terrorist state of the first order.
May 15, 2019
**WARNING -- GRAPHIC REVIEW**
This book disgusted me.
I admit that I naively chose this book by its cover, thinking that the author would share his understanding of specific soldier committed crimes in the Gulf War (I will hereafter refer to the Gulf War as the Bush War.) After just a little reading, however, I learned that the author's intent is to show that the entire Bush War, from its fabrication to its inhumanity, is, in fact, a Crime. To his credit, the author cited evidence of his case.
After the first five chapters, the book becomes more repetitious, but that is understandable as he continues to make his case, and so much of the Crime continuously is connected.
The brazen lies of Bush to manipulate everyone involved -- Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, USA, etc. -- is beyond disgusting. The total lack of care for humanity, as seen in the way Bush's war was perpetrated, the total lack of care for the environment by Bush, by the military, the total lack of basic decency shown by Bush's actions disgusts me more than I can articulate.
Clark also does an excellent job pointing out the failure of USA news media during this time. The media acted more as a Public Relations firm for the military than its role as intended by the Constitution.
As well, he calls the UN to task, noting that they failed humanity and endorsed whatever Bush wanted.
Previous to reading this book, I read, "On Killing", by Lt. Col. David Grossman. One scene in that book depicts two men torturing 2 nuns. All parties are naked. One is being sexually tortured. The other nun was nailed to an altar, had her breasts cut off, and had the genitalia of a (dead) man shoved into her vagina. All this before she died.
As gruesome and insane as was that story, I found myself even more disgusted by Bush's War. That's how troubling and upsetting I found this book.
I also just read of the genocides in Rwanda and Bosnia, as well as several books on the Third Reich, and yet, reading about Bush's War made my upper lip curl in distaste, as if smelling something foul.
Upon reading this book, I have am convinced that Bush's War (and subsequent wars perpetrated by the USA in the Middle East) are genocides.
The last few chapters deal with the World Tribunal made up of 22 judges from 18 countries, who unanimously convicted Bush and his cronies with multiple crimes against humanity. Clark also spends some time calling the USA to step up and stop this insanity, with possible solutions.
It is important to note that now, some years after this book was published, Clarks' predictions for world politics -- should Bush and his ilk continue to run roughshod over the US Constitution, should Congress not step up to its War Powers responsibilities, should the media continue to pander to the military, should the citizens of the USA continue to go along with business as usual -- are true
I looked up the author, Ramsey Clark -- he's still alive at age 91. I cannot imagine the hell he has endured because of his courage to confront the truth, and to act on it.
Although the book is a bit dated and so much has happened since Bush's first war in the Gulf, I highly recommend it for so many insights into our present political situation.
Peace
This book disgusted me.
I admit that I naively chose this book by its cover, thinking that the author would share his understanding of specific soldier committed crimes in the Gulf War (I will hereafter refer to the Gulf War as the Bush War.) After just a little reading, however, I learned that the author's intent is to show that the entire Bush War, from its fabrication to its inhumanity, is, in fact, a Crime. To his credit, the author cited evidence of his case.
After the first five chapters, the book becomes more repetitious, but that is understandable as he continues to make his case, and so much of the Crime continuously is connected.
The brazen lies of Bush to manipulate everyone involved -- Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, USA, etc. -- is beyond disgusting. The total lack of care for humanity, as seen in the way Bush's war was perpetrated, the total lack of care for the environment by Bush, by the military, the total lack of basic decency shown by Bush's actions disgusts me more than I can articulate.
Clark also does an excellent job pointing out the failure of USA news media during this time. The media acted more as a Public Relations firm for the military than its role as intended by the Constitution.
As well, he calls the UN to task, noting that they failed humanity and endorsed whatever Bush wanted.
Previous to reading this book, I read, "On Killing", by Lt. Col. David Grossman. One scene in that book depicts two men torturing 2 nuns. All parties are naked. One is being sexually tortured. The other nun was nailed to an altar, had her breasts cut off, and had the genitalia of a (dead) man shoved into her vagina. All this before she died.
As gruesome and insane as was that story, I found myself even more disgusted by Bush's War. That's how troubling and upsetting I found this book.
I also just read of the genocides in Rwanda and Bosnia, as well as several books on the Third Reich, and yet, reading about Bush's War made my upper lip curl in distaste, as if smelling something foul.
Upon reading this book, I have am convinced that Bush's War (and subsequent wars perpetrated by the USA in the Middle East) are genocides.
The last few chapters deal with the World Tribunal made up of 22 judges from 18 countries, who unanimously convicted Bush and his cronies with multiple crimes against humanity. Clark also spends some time calling the USA to step up and stop this insanity, with possible solutions.
It is important to note that now, some years after this book was published, Clarks' predictions for world politics -- should Bush and his ilk continue to run roughshod over the US Constitution, should Congress not step up to its War Powers responsibilities, should the media continue to pander to the military, should the citizens of the USA continue to go along with business as usual -- are true
I looked up the author, Ramsey Clark -- he's still alive at age 91. I cannot imagine the hell he has endured because of his courage to confront the truth, and to act on it.
Although the book is a bit dated and so much has happened since Bush's first war in the Gulf, I highly recommend it for so many insights into our present political situation.
Peace
May 2, 2019
I have translated this book from English into Urdu for Jumhoori Publications, Lahore, Pakistan. The title of Urdu translation is Iraq Mein Amreeka Ke Jangi Jaraim عراق میں امریکا کے جنگی جرائم.
to-keep-reference
October 18, 2016Discutido en Imperio Pág.16
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews