Twisted Perspective

THE LETTER PUBLISHED

In the lead up to the war in Iraq, many people are trying to portray the USA as an evil, destructive, thoughtless empire. It's so infuriating, when we know that the United States is a place that strives for freedom and individual fullfillment.

Sure it may not be perfect. But some of these people I refer to will paint countries and leaders who are far less perfect as innocent helpless victims. Saddam Hussein is not a victim, he drove his own country and people to this situation. Intentionally.

Dear Sir,

To see the way some sections of the public and the media defend Iraq against America you almost get the idea that the US is a dreadful, tyrannical, fearsome state and Iraq is more like the garden of Eden.

You'd never guess that America is a place where women are active and prominent in businesses, churches, government, schools, the armed forces and even the CIA. You wouldn't think that people from all minority groups - race, religion, sexual orientation - are able to hold high office and have real influence on the direction of their nation.

It could be unknown to you that hundreds of thousands of Americans are taking to the streets every day in free and passionate protest against their own government, without fear of imprisonment, torture or reprimand.

No, you'd probably agree with Leunig that the US, like Australia, is a horrible, heartless place, full of emptiness and shattered dreams, compared to the utopia that is living in Iraq.

Some of the recent offending cartoons (click for larger):

March 26 March 27