Comments on: Where Are All the Doves?

By: John Swanson

John Swanson — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:04:00 +0000

There are two real messages here. First, how we got ourselves into this mess and second, why isn’t the American public up in arms with the outcome.
The answer to the first is that Bush, like rabble rouser he thinks of himself as, was easily goaded into it by his war cabinet: Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz and Perle. Colin Powell was obviously outnumbered and rather than resign, as he no doubt contemplated, he opted to be a good soldier and muster on in the face of adversity. Condi Rice just played up to Bush and did his bidding from the get go.
The more compelling question is why is our country so apathetic? I wonder if the answer doesn’t lie in part with that fact that our media sources are all virtually controlled by large business interests who profit greatly during times of war – I mean that $700 billion has got to be lining some serious pockets. In the original rush to war, I along with others was distressed at the extent to which some of the more progressive news sources (NPR, NYTimes) kowtowed to the administration line. I know part of that stemmed from the immediacy of the WTC and a looming terrorist threat. Still, the lack of any opposing view of any prominance was very unsettling for those of us who saw the folly of the whole thing.
Lastly, and most distressingly, I believe much of that portion of our populace that tends to question the efficacy of war is simply tired and overwhelmed by the media majority. I would have to agree with Brad that Obama offers a refreshing alternative. But I can’t help but be left to wonder how many ways the media in this country will skewer him (ala Kerry and the Swift Boaters) and the American public in the process.

By: Brad Kenney

Brad Kenney — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:57:35 +0000

Matt — Great point! Just want to point out that one of those who were right on this issue at the time is right in the thick of the current debate (he’s running for President):

“Now let me be clear: I suffer no illusions about Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal man. A ruthless man. A man who butchers his own people to secure his own power. He has repeatedly defied UN resolutions, thwarted UN inspection teams, developed chemical and biological weapons, and coveted nuclear capacity. He’s a bad guy. The world, and the Iraqi people, would be better off without him.

But I also know that Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors, that the Iraqi economy is in shambles, that the Iraqi military a fraction of its former strength, and that in concert with the international community he can be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away into the dustbin of history.

I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences.

I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the middle east, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al Queda.

I am not opposed to all wars. I’m opposed to dumb wars.”

-Barack Obama, 2002

By: Todd

Todd — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:39:34 +0000

Actually, there are numerous affiliations and individuals who were not silenced in their disavowal of the war. Look into the Carter Center for one. What saddens me to the core is that the media and to a larger extent the America populous have once again put their blinders on and said, “Well there is always the next president”. Waiting four years seemed a more viable option then actually taking action. It is like Atheism, people are scared to say what they believe or do not believe to ensure the status quo or the political/religious mainstay. It sickens meto the core ! Good point Matt.

By: Matthew Stinson

Matthew Stinson — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:51:31 +0000

I wish my old old blog was still around ’cause what I wrote then is what I feel now:

(1) Saddam should be removed from power;

(2) We can destroy his state apparatus quite swiftly through war;

(3) It will be extremely difficult to rebuild Iraq without careful planning and the use of blood and treasure; therefore

(4) We should have such a plan created in full with support from the international community before launching a war.

Sadly, for the Americans and the Iraqis, Bush’s foreign policy circle seemed to stop at point 2 and make the rest up as they went along. How on earth Bush/Rumsfeld got Colin Powell to eat his own politico-military doctrine (overwhelming force, no wars without a fixed purpose with broad public support, and a clear exit strategy) will always be a mystery to me.

I think the hypothetical about a more stable Iraq emerging from “normalizing” rather than purging the Baath officials and the military is a strong one, but unfortunately Jerry Bremer went to Baghdad and annihilated that historical possibility.