>>Yes. If Saddam Hussein had stepped down voluntarily, there would have been no war. But Saddam had convinced himself that the Americans would never invade. The latest Foreign Relations has a good article on Saddam's delusions.
However, everybody above the mental age of 10 knew what was meant at the time. I can claim no special expertise in foreign relations beyond paying attention, and I noticed from February of 2002 that Bush et. al. intended to effect regime change in Iraq, by invasion if necessary. If I could see it, I feel fairly sure that even members of the Senate could see it. Supposedly they have better information.<<
Nadine -
Yes, it was very clear from the moment the Iraq drumbeat started that Bush intended to take Saddam out, and that he intended to do it by force. So his repeated statements about war being the last resort and all that were just window dressing? Nobody was supposed to believe them? And his statements since the invasion that he had tried everything possible to avoid war should be considered what? I can think of a word. Lies.
Bush lied to the American people about his intentions of going to war, and he lied afterward as well. I don't buy the "we were all supposed to know what he was really thinking" idea. If his plan all along was to go to war, and he told everyone he would only go to war as a last resort, then he lied, plain and simple. And that's a big, important lie.
On the other hand, I do think Kerry, and every other Senator who voted for that resolution, were chumps to do so. But, as you yourself said, his statements throughout the campaign were consistent.
As for the Swift Vets getting together, and that being a natural thing, well, I'd say maybe it wasn't a difficult thing, but not necessarily natural. A division is a very large group, and the Viet Nam war was a long time ago. Maybe it didn't require a sinister conspiracy. Maybe it just required a couple of phone calls from Karl Rove to get the financing together. Follow the money.
I don't doubt that the Swift Vets hate Kerry, and I don't doubt that their hatred stems from his 1971 Congressional testimony. I just doubt that they really have all the facts on their side, and I doubt that they care about whether or not they do.
- Allen |
