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# Santa Monica Questions of war, homelessness
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-questions-of-war-homelessness-editor/
- Published: 2003-02-20T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:38:30.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless, Homelessness

*By Steve Roberts*

This Monday’s edition of the Santa Monica Daily Press was chock full of articles concerning peace where Iraq is concerned. Millions of people from across the globe stood together to protest and say no to war. Saddam was probably laughing back in his palace. Nothing would make him happier than that very thing.

I’ve been homeless and almost penniless for the past 14 months. I have no identification so I can’t apply for General Relief or other measures designed to assist the homeless. I’ve tried to regain my identification but so far, haven’t had any luck. I’ve been able to get by for fourteen months now on $4 a month, so big deal.

In a sense, I feel like an Iraqi citizen. I have almost no creature comfort items. There are a lot of things I would like to have and to do, but for now, I wait until things change.

Unlike the Iraqi people, I wait for my government to build their criminal case and take action. If I was an Iraqi citizen and it’s my government that’s the roadblock, what would I do then? If I were living in Iraq, I would wonder why my government doesn’t do what it can to remove the sanctions that are in reality affecting me.

People have stated that they would like to see the military budget converted to help with health care and education and other problems here in the states. I would like to see this as well.

But I’m reminded of the Palestine-Israeli conflict and can figure out that if you don’t protect yourself against terrorists, they don’t mind coming into your space and blowing themselves up, and taking you with them.

Jean-Michel Boulay asked, “If the government is so concerned about the welfare of the Iraqi people, why are the economic sanctions still in place?” The sanctions are in place not to punish the people of Iraq, but to punish their leader for attacking another sovereign nation.

There is a set criterion in place to remove these sanctions, and twelve years later, we’re still waiting for Saddam to meet them.

To those who say, they need more time, I say, how much time is enough time? It’s funny to see in the papers about the break that the weapons inspectors took. They didn’t take a break; they were kicked out of the country. Saddam said, don’t call us, we’ll call you, and don’t leave a phone number.

Others worry about North Korea. I do as well. I wonder if they look at Iraq and decide to just use their playbook as they think Saddam is getting his way.

If someone broke into your house and stole your possessions, would you call the police and expect them to do something about it? If you didn’t report it, would you be surprised if the criminals just kept doing it again and again and again? Can the Iraqi people count on anyone to get them out of their situation? Or should they just keep waiting for their leader to do nothing?

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 20, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/022003.pdf?ref=smdp.com)