The US was fully justified to use military force against Iraq, even knowing what we know now — especially knowing what we know now. – Randall Hoven
Collin Powels photo evidence gallery
Posted by Tina
Bush lied, people died. Is there anyone in the world that hasnt heard this dishonorable anti-war slogan? Is there an enemy around the world that hasnt been gratified and encouraged by these four words? The words are little more than a slogan, yet they have had the power to create doubt and uncertainty for Americans and for others around the world who look to us for leadership and help. They send a message of doubt and distrust about our president and create a conflicting message about a war that George Bush has repeatedly said was key in the greater fight against terrorism worldwide.
Creating doubt was in fact the intent of anti-war democrats and it has become the legacy of the Democrat Party during the Bush years.
As we look toward November its important for all Americans to know the truth about the anti war rhetoric and to resolve whatever doubts we may have so we can feel confident as we move forward. A divided America is a much weaker America. Supporters of the war, and our president, have already resolved these issues and feel that America did the right thing. Many Democrats seem to be living happily with the Bush lied legacy (and will live with it for a long time into the future). Butwhat about those who are really unsure and tired of the bickering? For them the questions remainis the “Bush lied” premise true? Are the many accusations laid at the feet of President Bush and his administration about going to war in Iraq accurate?
Randall Hoven has some excellent answers in his piece, Who Lied About Iraq? posted at the American Thinker. He begins by addressing the before question:
Our invasion of Iraq was not based on a public relations drive; it was based on Public Law 107-243,
otherwise known as the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq, passed by the 107th Congress in October of 2002 . (Herein referred to as the “Authorization”.) It passed the House with a vote of 296 to 133 (by 69%) and the Senate with a vote of 77 to 23 (by 77%), including 58% of Senate Democrats. In short, it was overwhelming; it was bipartisan; and it was law. *** Did the Authorization try to “prove that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction”? Was that proved false? *** No and no. *** The Authorization has 23 “whereas” clauses, or reasons to justify military invasion, only some of which mention WMD. Here is a prime example. “Whereas the efforts of international weapons inspectors, United States intelligence agencies, and Iraqi defectors led to the discovery that Iraq had large stockpiles of chemical weapons and a large scale biological weapons program, and that Iraq had an advanced nuclear weapons development program that was much closer to producing a nuclear weapon than intelligence reporting had previously indicated.” [Emphasis added.] *** There are several things to notice in that clause. First is the tense of the verb “had.” The clause does not claim that Iraq has WMD now (in 2002), but that it at one time had them. Secondly, the only stockpiles mentioned are of chemical weapons. Of biological and nuclear weapons it mentions only programs. At no place does the Authorization say that any WMD are current (post-1991).
Mr. Hoven goes on to carefully enumerate the many reasons for going to war prior to invasion, what was found after invasion, and investigations following invasion including one that resulted in a report filed by Chairman of the Democrat controlled Senate Intelligence Committee, J. D Rockefeller which found several Iraq-al Qaida links.
“One of the reported contacts [between Iraq and al-Qa’ida before the war] has been confirmed, and two other meetings have since been identified.”
The article is fact filled and well written. I strongly urge anyone with doubts, or anyone who is just interested, to read the entire article. You might learn something very useful before heading to the poles.
P.S. Vote wiselythis ones important.