Pitfalls of Blame-Gaming

A short turn into history:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- From the Oval Office, President Bush told the nation Wednesday evening why he ordered the military strikes against Iraq.

The president said Iraq's refusal to cooperate with U.N. weapons inspectors presented a threat to the entire world.

"Saddam (Hussein) must not be allowed to threaten his neighbors or the world with nuclear arms, poison gas or biological weapons," Bush said.

A strong, sustained series of attacks, will be carried out over several days by U.S. and British forces, Bush said.

Bush also stated that, while other countries also had weapons of mass destruction, Hussein is in a different category because he has used such weapons against his own people and against his neighbors.

'Without delay, diplomacy or warning'

The Iraqi leader was given a final warning six weeks ago, Bush said, when Baghdad promised to cooperate with U.N. inspectors at the last minute.

"Along with Prime Minister (Tony) Blair of Great Britain, I made it equally clear that if Saddam failed to cooperate fully we would be prepared to act without delay, diplomacy or warning," Bush said.

The president said the report of the United Nations Special Commission in charge of finding and destroying Iraqi weapons, was stark and sobering.

Iraq failed to cooperate with the inspectors and placed new restrictions on them, Bush said. He said Iraqi officials also destroyed records and moved everything, even the furniture, out of suspected sites before inspectors were allowed in.

"In halting our airstrikes, I give Saddam a chance -- not a license. If we turn our backs on his defiance, the credibility of U.S. power as a check against Saddam will be destroyed," the president explained.

Strikes necessary to stunt weapons programs

Bush said he made the decision to strike Wednesday with the unanimous agreement of his security advisors.

"If Saddam can cripple the weapons inspections system and get away with it, he would conclude the international community, led by the United States, has simply lost its will," said Bush. "He would surmise that he has free rein to rebuild his arsenal of destruction."

Bush also called Hussein a threat to his people and to the security of the world.

"The best way to end that threat once and for all is with a new Iraqi government -- a government ready to live in peace with its neighbors, a government that respects the rights of its people," Bush said.

Such a change in Baghdad would take time and effort, Bush said, adding that his administration would work with Iraqi opposition forces.

"Saddam Hussein and the other enemies of peace may have thought that the serious debate currently before the House of Representatives would distract Americans or weaken our resolve to face him down," he said.

"But once more, the United States has proven that although we are never eager to use force, when we must act in America's vital interests, we will do so."

Self-declared Liberals* define their anti-Americanism as directed against the Conservatives, the Neocons, the Zionists and first and foremost against George W. Bush. He is dreaming of Iraqi oil, he didn't forgive Saddam's plans to kill his father and so on. They promise, especially to the Iraqi, that there is 'another America' that they represent and that of course is the better one.

Memory is short and played a little trick on me. Maybe on yours, too. Why do I come up with the well-known and painful Iraq invasion once more? We know George W., we know that there were no weapons of mass destruction, we know about all his fabrications when he threw the US and Iraq into this futile war. But wait a minute - something's wrong with the above story. Didn't Blair and Bush consult the UN Security Council, why don't they mention the draft resolution?

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, this was the other America speaking. You might file it under "history" but don't forget that his wife's name is Hillary.


Update: mapsofwar.com proof my point:




Go and visit their site, they have more interesting maps.


*a post about why I think the term "Liberalism" is abused by them is on top of my task list