From Al's "article":
Were it not for Powell, the chicken hawks in the administration -- warmongers who have not themselves experienced battle -- already would have us invading Iraq without giving U.N. inspectors a chance.
Led by Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, these strident cheerleaders for so-called preemptive action are obviously disappointed that the Iraq inspections have turned up nothing more then the rusting remnants of a deadly weapons programs originated -- and used -- with the full knowledge of the U.S. government to punish fundamentalist Iran.
It is, to me, frustrating to see liberals continue to assert (unassailed) that Bush (or for that matter, Cheney & Rumsfeld) are anxious to go to war. Bush has been exceptionally patient, and has listened closely to the counsel of his cabinet. This is what presidents ARE SUPPOSED to do -- take advice from the cabinet, and make a decision. It is the entire point of having a cabinet. The last thing you want is an autocratic president who doesn't know how to delegate (we just had one of those).
There exists a group of critics who attribute to Bush certain decisions PRIOR TO the decision being made. For example, these people assert that Bush had decided to go to war, UNILATERALLY, when no such decision had been made. When asked, Bush is saying, "I have made no decision on how to handle the Iraq situation. There are no war plans on my desk". Yet, you have this huge contingent of media and other liberals claiming that Bush has UNILATERAL war plans.
The truth comes out, i.e., Bush consulted with his cabinet and decided to go before the UN. Then the allegations began flying -- UN is a formality, Bush is going to war either way. UNILATERALLY.
It bothers me because I believe a great number of people fall for it and come away believing Bush is a warmonger. On this thread, Ted and Al have both concluded that Bush is hell-bent on war with Iraq, Iran, and NK, when in fact, it is clear Bush prefers other means of solving these problems. But he has faced the reality that they may not be handled without war.
The Republicans do nothing to counter this propaganda. Perhaps they just don't think it matters. |
