That’s what some people think. Other people – and not all of them are in Europe – think that establishing a precedent for preemptive war in the absence of an imminent and compelling threat, and giving sanction to a war for which no immediate and compelling case has been made, is more dangerous than any threat posed by Saddam. There are arguments on both sides, and it is by no means clear which argument is correct, or indeed if either is entirely correct. Describing one position as “right” assumes what has yet to be demonstrated, and proclaims a clarity that exists only in neocon fantasies.
That's just plain absurd, Steven. The anti-war folks plead for Bush to do the right thing too. It is a particle of speech not a plot to run the universe.
Much of the UN-bashing that I see these days seems motivated more by childish petulance than anything else. The purpose of the UNSC is not to provide a convenient rubber stamp for whatever the US wants to do. The UNSC is not convinced that this war is necessary. That’s not because they are inutile or because they have their heads in the sand, it’s because the Bush administration has not presented a terribly convincing case in support of war.
Once again, nonsense. A 15-0 vote hardly means that the UNSC isn't behind him. A strong report from Blix hardly means that the UNSC isn't behind him. Sending Powell to make the pitch hardly means that the US doesn't want the UNSC. The situation is tense enough, no need to lose sleep over your own strawmen.
Given these circumstances, it is hardly surprising that the UNSC is not eager to sanction the war. If two other countries were involved, it’s not likely that we would sanction a war in similar circumstances. India’s case for preemptive war against Pakistan is far more compelling than the US case for preemptive war on Iraq, and we are not exactly eager to see that war break out. It has been suggested that we must argue that we do not seek a blanket sanction for preemptive war, but that Iraq is a special case. Unfortunately, the only discernably special feature about it is that we are the ones who want the war.
Speaking of fantasy. Watch them line up behind Powell next week, fresh with their take of the spoils of war.
Paul |
