This article is about Tariq Aziz, Saddam Hussein's top diplomat who was sentenced to death on Tuesday. It describes his accomplishments for the Iraqis, including being a leading diplomat for all three of Iraq's wars. He helped gain U.S. support in the war from 1980-1988, but later caused some controversy when he dismissed a "humiliating letter" to Saddam from President Bush. The article also describes his downfalls, such as how he was number 43 on the list of most wanted Iraqi officials for the U.S., how he appeared frail and weak at a trial in 2008 and how he executed many people. Lastly, it describes Tariq's life: his Christian upbringing, his education at Baghdad University, his children and his political views.
This article is interesting because I think it's good to see the whole of someone's story. In the U.S., I feel as if we'd mainly hear the side of the story that speaks of his bad deeds, like how he executed numerous people for reasons that were less than substanstial. It was interesting to learn about his life and how he was raised in a Christian family and has children. The article makes it seem like his charges really had physical affect on him, as he became less and less agile as he got charged with more things. I wish the article would've explained why he was being sentenced do death, however. It highlighted his life, but it never explained why it would be ended.
Leah, I totally agree with you. I often find myself buying into the stereotypical thinking that many Americans have after the 9/11 attacks. Your summary of the article was another eye opener to just how single minded many people are, including myslef, and how we need to open ourselves up. Thank you!
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