I responded that Cheney and Bush were famous for this
Yes, they are. What's more, they know how to deliver the laugh lines correctly.
The way my mind and logic work, the Gore speech was linear, logical and factual. I know you don't see it this way.
As Zakaria points out, there are a lot of facts about Iraq available just now, and they're all over the map. Start with a point of view, pick the facts that most support it, stretch'em to fit if need be, and ignore the others. Both sides do it; I think Gore's side is doing it the most.
Just for instance, Gore cited Cheney's assertion that the Iraqis would welcome us as liberators as a proven falsehood. Is it? It's clear from the reports on the ground that the vast, vast majority of Iraqis welcomed the fall of Saddam even if it had to be done by Americans, and are giving cooperation, even if slow and suspicious cooperation. True, they didn't dance in the streets like Parisians in 1944, but lots of GIs not working for the PR office report that they are being thanked by hundreds of people.
Before the war, the pro-war camp said that few men would fight for Saddam and the Iraqis would welcome us as liberators. The anti-war camp predicted Stalingrad-on-the-Tigris, with tens of thousands of casualties, millions of refugees, and a general humanitarian crisis. The UN built tent cities in Jordan for the expected exodus of refugees.
Now, speaking fairly, which camp was closer to the truth? |
