Go read what the Republicans had to say about Bosnia. Interesting how they don’t repeat these same messages with Iraq.
I think this deserves a nice picture.
Go read what the Republicans had to say about Bosnia. Interesting how they don’t repeat these same messages with Iraq.
I think this deserves a nice picture.
August 26, 2005 at 11:39 am
Too bad you just don’t get it. This may be tedious but let’s go quote by quote.
“You can support the troops but not the president.”
So neither side supported the other’s president. However, I don’t recall the Right keeping a death count, under reporting successes of the troops, or calling for a retreat (a timetable yes, but not a retreat). If the Left believes they are supporting the troops by these actions, I think the military would rather not have it.
“Well, I just think it’s a bad idea. What’s going to happen is they’re going to be over there for 10, 15, maybe 20 years.”
This was in response to Clinton saying they would be there less than a year and would be home by Christmas. Very easy to make points by taking short bites out of context.
“Explain to the mothers and fathers of American servicemen that may come home in body bags why their son or daughter have to give up their life?”
Well, what was Clinton’s explanation? Bush’s is that the troops are there to fight the war on terror. You may disagree with this explanation, but this debate was settled by an election. Yes, the election was stolen and Bush is illegitimate.
“[The] President . . . is once again releasing American military might on a foreign country with an ill-defined objective and no exit strategy. He has yet to tell the Congress how much this operation will cost. And he has not informed our nation’s armed forces about how long they will be away from home. These strikes do not make for a sound foreign policy.”
Again what was Clinton’s goal? Let me say this again, “War on terror.” Wars don’t have timetables, they have objectives. Bush’s clearly stated objective in Iraq is to have them as an example of freedom in the region. Whether this will be accomplished is another thing.
“American foreign policy is now one huge big mystery. Simply put, the administration is trying to lead the world with a feel-good foreign policy.”
There is this theme that Bush has not stated what the policy is and is hiding something. I won’t bother with the other quotes along these lines because, well, if you choose to ignore what the President has said, that’s up to you.
“I had doubts about the bombing campaign from the beginning . . I didn’t think we had done enough in the diplomatic area.”
How many U.N. resolutions were passed regarding Bosnia? How many U.N. resolutions and how many years were there with regards to Iraq?
Delay’s quote is very long, but the important pull is:
… There is no explanation defining what vital national interests are at stake. …”
Well, what are the vital national interests in Bosnia. The vital national interest in Iraq is the war on terror. Iraq was a state sponsor of terror. Period. They had no direct connection to 9/11 but to say Iraq had no ties to Al Qeida or other terrorist groups (yes there are other terror groups that would like to attack the U.S.) is disingenuous.
“Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is.”
How about the stated goal of when Iraq is a free nation? Why is the U.S. in Bosnia?
August 26, 2005 at 5:49 pm
Brian Yamabe,
Are you really going to imply that we’re in Iraq for the right reasons and Bosnia for the wrong reasons? My word.
First of all US forces had zero combat losses in Kosovo and Serbia. ZERO. The point of the operation was to prevent genocide which was clearly stated. And everyone would know that if the Republican Controlled Media did not saturate our TVs and Newspapers with Monica. Moreover the mission by all accounts was a success. Clinton was honerd by the entire U.N. with a standing ovation –meanwhile we’re reading a State published fluff novel by Keneth Starr.
All of this ia a far cry from Iraq. Nearly 2000 dead, closing in on 20,000 wounded. And many 10s of thousands of innocent civilians dead, not to mention innocent wounded.
Do not be fooled. War has rarely ever happend for the right reasons. And you can not CHANGE your reasons after the fact. And don’t tell me it was just a minor alteration in emphsis. B.S. Bush and friend purposely entered this war for their own gains: financial, historical, egotisical.
As for Terroism, Saddam’s strong arm was the best tool we had in the area. We already had him by the balls after the first war and he knew it. If we really wanted to promote Demcracy in Iraq we would have pressured him to make democratic reforms for a reduction in trade sanctions.Morevoer Sunni and Taliban are quite different. Sunni are actually liberal Islamists by comparison. Saddam would not be keen on working with them unless forced. Remember, first and foremost he is selfish –like all myopic leaders. As things stand we have enlivend even more terrorists world round –the terrorist attack count is now off the charts.
Having said all that let me say, that I support the war. Not how we got there, but simply b/c its too late to turn back –we’re already there. Unfortunately Bush and friends aren’t capable of a decisive victory. They proved that from day one when the played Mission Accomplished PR while they completely tore down the Iraqi military/police infructructure. Any leader worth a gumdrop knows that if you get rid of one power another come into fill the void. So you _reuse_ preexisting strucutres already in place –they are designed to take orders form the top down after all. No, we decide to rebuild from the ground up. Give me a break –they knew well the effect that would have –We’d be staying for the long haul. Sigh. They are not interesting in success there as much as they are in success in their political games here.
I could go on but I’ve had enough for one day.
September 1, 2005 at 1:38 pm
The “War on Terror,” Brian? Don’t you mean the “Struggle Against Global Extremism”? I know it’s summer, but please try to keep your bullshit in line with the administration’s bullshit. It helps everyone forget that kids are dying for nothing.