Well, here we are, bogged down in the desert, being shot at daily
and spending $1 billion a week for the foreseeable future. It is
useful to reflect on how we got into this predicament. The following
are a number of misleading statements from our leaders that
encouraged us to support Bush's unprovoked invasion and occupation
of Iraq, in violation of international law.
"We now know that Saddam has resumed his efforts to acquire
nuclear weapons" (Dick Cheney, Aug. 26, 2002).
The U.S. has "bulletproof" evidence of Iraqi involvement with
al-Qaida (Donald Rumsfeld, Sept. 26, 2002).
The now infamous "16 words"concerning uranium ore from Africa and
other unsubstantiated claims (State of the Union address, George W.
Bush, Jan. 28).
"Intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves no
doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of
the most lethal weapons ever devised" (George W. Bush, March 17).
"(We gave Hussein) a chance to allow the inspectors in, and he
wouldn't let them in. And, therefore, after a reasonable request, we
decided to remove him from power" (George W. Bush, July 14).
"How could any responsible leader have ignored the Iraqi threat?"
(Dick Cheney, July 24).
So what has this policy of pre-emptive invasion and occupation
done for us? The flowers being thrown at our troops by the "joyous,
liberated" Iraqis are laced with explosives. Terrorist attacks
continue unabated around the world. Our historic allies regard us as
a nation gone mad. In diplomatic circles, our president is regarded
as unstable and has publicly been called a moron by at least one
friendly foreign leader - a sentiment shared by a great many loyal
Americans, including this writer.
So, was it worth doing? Is it worth continuing indefinitely?
Should we do it again in Iran? Liberia? Saudi Arabia? North Korea?
