Syabas to malaysiakini for providing a balanced view o­n Iraq. Most of the articles and commentaries, whether anti-war or pro-war, are very enlightening to ordinary Malaysians like me.

For many years, the mainstream newspapers in Malaysia have o­nly supplied to us with a o­ne-sided view of the world. The education system also did not encourage young Malaysians to develop critical and analytical minds.

Moreover, liberal-minded academics are also barred from airing their more informed and structured views of the world in the newspapers tightly controlled by the government.

As a result, Malaysians are like a herd of mindless sheep following leaders, chanting slogans whose real meaning many do not know.

I think the peace and war debate in malaysiakini has opened up the minds of many Malaysians. There are actually many dimensions and sides for us to consider before we make up our minds o­n the question of who is right and wrong.

On the surface, it is the United States and Britain that appear to be aggressive. They are also big powers compared to Iraq, which is seen as just a small nation.

But if we know the history of the Saddam Hussein government, we may have a different view altogether.

With the easy access and storage of weapons of mass destruction, small countries and individuals harbouring ill-intentions could actually hold the world at ransom, unless and until the world is united and prepared to confront the menancing tyrants and terrorists with effective and timely actions, not mere words.

There are children who would stop crying o­nce they are given sweets. But there are those, who after enjoying the sweets, would cry even louder to demand for ice-cream and KFC.

I think Saddam Hussein falls into the second category.

It is time the world gets tough with Saddam Hussein. Otherwise, given another opportunity, he would demand more from the civilised world.

However, I am still willing to listen to more debates, both pro- and anti-war.