1- The resolution did not authorize war. The US failed to live to the requirements of 1441 when it cut short the inspector's process, in the midst of which iraq was destroying MISSILES.
The resolution authorized serious consequences. To call Saddam's failure to prove that he has voluntarily disarmed a failure of the US (Saddam needed more time - do you really believe that?) is a bit silly.
2- Hans Blix strongly argued for more time. Read his latest writings.
The more time concept carried little weight then as it had been 11 or 12 years that he had been defying previous resolutions. Had the coalition not invaded and Hans declared he thinks there are not WMDs in Iraq, do you think sanctions should have been lifted and Iraq restored to relatively normal international status? I mean, what was the alternative to what happened - keep 100k troops on the border until, uhmm, Uday passes away in 2040?
3- Bush had decided to attack iraq long before 1441. Key members of his adminstration had urged an attack long before he was even elected. They were looking for reasons before he came to power.
Well I happen to be in the camp that thinks that was a good thing. I think all oppressive dictators that rule their people by the gun rather than by choice should be forcibly removed from power if possible. Guess that's just me, though.
The UN was made a pawn by Bush and the neocons in the administration. Members nations are not stupid...they knew they were being used.
I would say in hindsight Bush should have just skipped the whole process of trying to include the UN in the invasion decision. The UN said Saddam is a bad man for 12 years, but when the chance to get rid of him lands on their doorstep, they don't get onboard. Does that make sense to you? I consider it a failure of the UN to do what made sense to the entire world for 12 years.
Bottom line, as a result, the quagmire is a US problem. The boys dying are Americans. We will be there, not on the border, but in a far more hostile environment, for a long time. And the longer we stay, the more hated our troops will be. The exit strategy can't be anything more than a "reasoned" withdrawal at some point in the future.
I think the US can declare victory and withdraw in a few months. Saddam is gone, give the Iraqis as strong a police force as can be put together with $72 BILLION and six months training, and leave. Saddam is gone and the Middle East has a shot at democracy if they want to take it. Sounds like a pretty good exit plan if you ask me. |
