Bush hasn't justified war (GREELEY ALERT)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | December 26, 2003 | ANDREW GREELEY

[Dane]

No, I'm saying that the reason we were given for invading Iraq was WMDs.

And the basic point remains, is the world better off with saddam gone or not. You seem to think that saddam gone is a bad thing for the world. Hey that's your opinion, praise uday and quesay all you want.

The vast majority of people on FR, IMO, are laughing or shaking their heads at your one track mind.

[TomB]

Where are the polls on Bush's approv rate on war? only thing I can find (time...) was " Respondents were nearly split on the president's handling of the war and rebuilding Iraq,

The question was whether or not Bush did a good job explaining the war on Iraq.

Sixty-seven percent said the Bush administration made the right decision in going to war with Iraq.

[TomB]

No, I'm saying that the reason we were given for invading Iraq was WMDs.

And you are wrong. WMDs was only one of a number of reasons Bush gave for going into Iraq. The media focused on that one because of the "scare factor".

[zarf]

All the speeches are archived on the CSPAN web site so I won't chase down the dates.....

Let's start with the major presentations by Powell in the UN "proving WMD" in Iraq. Then the sudden de-emphasis on WMD and shifting the emphasis to bringing democracy to the Middle East (in the end probably the most important reason for the invasion).

On top of that-we start to hear emphasis on the cruelty of Hussein towards his people and the mass graves as a part of the rational for the invasion.

Look, in the historical context, I'm splitting hairs, but Bush never had to stop emphasisng the WMD rational as the MAIN reason for war. The responsibility lies with Hussein (and the UN for that matter), but the administration has left the impression of being "guilty" by not "finding" the WMD and then seeming to change the subject.

[vladog]

Just wait a bit, the history re-writers are hard at work.

My sources tell me that the re-write of Saddam has been given to the best dictator apologist's in Hollywood. New history will be invented and ready for release by late spring/early summer 2004.

[inPhase]

There are many many instances of the war being rewritten and I suggest you hit old posts for a documented run down.

However, it started -- to be brief with the soon to be retire Asst Sec Wolfowitz saying that we would be "met with rose petals" that is a quote and serious words from a clown. This did not happen. Many things but next the US dissolved the Iraqi Army which the adm officials see as a mistake.

There are more failed strategies but as yet NO exit strategy.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/opinion/article/0,1299,DRMN_38_2500290,00.html


"Retired Lt. Gen. Jay Garner, the first American civilian administrator of Iraq, said in a recent interview with BBC radio that a number of major mistakes were made and are still being made in post-war Iraq. Permitting the looting, disbanding the Iraqi military and not relinquishing political control of the country to Iraqis were among the mistakes he cited."

Hear Garner himself, his own role included in the audio and article

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3239166.stm

[inPhase]

No the question -- anyone? is what are the polls like on approval for the war.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

One more major point!

Most of the press and the Leftists forget that Pres. Bush issued an ultimatum to Saddam, to open his country unconditionaly and surrender his WMD or face the consequences. SH was given ample time to decide as well as comply.......

Guess what, Saddam made the choice on his own, thinking W was as spineless as Bubba and the American public would influence W's decision not to attack. (Wrong again!)

The results are his sole responsibility because he was dealing with a man like Mr. Bush who does what he says he will. And, America kind of respects a man like that as a true leader.

[vladog]

Who cares if we find WMD or not, that was a mis-direction play in the 1st place. Saddam is gone. Iraq is in the bag. The rest of the Mid-East nitwits have been put on notice.

Anyone who doesn't know that those were the things we were out to achieve, hasn't been paying attention.

[TomB]

There are many many instances of the war being rewritten and I suggest you hit old posts for a documented run down.

Zarf and I were discussing JUSTIFICATIONS on going to war, not predictions on the war.

No the question -- anyone? is what are the polls like on approval for the war

I don't know how to make this more clear.

Americans support war in Iraq 2-to-1, poll finds

[zarf]

Anyone who doesn't know that those were the things we were out to achieve, hasn't been paying attention.

The administration has bungled the explanation. People like me who agreed with his decision don't have be convinced.

It's the idiots like Greeley who don't get what's going on that need a clear explanation.....the administration made a muddle of it and left the door open for the lefties to bitch.

For pete's sake they had month's and months to prepare for the post war and the possibilities of not finding WMD....

[inPhase]

Lots of questions on different posts. Almost there; 70 per cent agree on going to war.
I am looking for a poll on the approval for handling of the war.

[inPhase]

anyway, what is the current explanation? and once again, am looking for a poll on the President's handling of the war. Anyone?

[TomB]

I am looking for a poll on the approval for handling of the war.

Unbelievable!

From the SAME ARTICLE:

Sixty-three percent of respondents said they approved of the president's handling of foreign policy and the war on terrorism.

Are you playing a game here, or can't you read?

[backhoe]

"he has been known to move his weapons"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833665/posts
US satellites 'spot Iraqis hiding suspected arms' (pretty interesting)
times online uk ^ | 1/31/03

[inPhase]

No it is not the same. Want to see up front

"approve or disapprove on the President's handling of the war."

There were polls for this previously. A poll is all in what you ask, when, and how you word it.
Not terrorism, your equivocation notwithstanding.


I just want to see the poll when it is done again.

[BluePatriot57]

Amen and Amen Freep! Couldn't have said it better!

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

You sound like just another Shrill for the Leftist press. You can validate this liar all you want but it merely reveals your true nature.

When Europe was LIBERATED fom the clutches of Fascism, it took more than 5 years to restore a functioning government that would handle the transition to democracy, which still stands today. (although threatened)

Your expectations, that just 1 year after the initial liberation, Iraq should be completely functional, is nothing more than defeatism.

[inPhase]

This is a common ploy here, if one does not agree or thinks for theirself, "why you must be a liberal". Big government IS liberal.

I support our Armed forces deployed in Iraq and everywhere. Mistakes cause deaths, yes those body bags and coffins that our General Officers go to meet in Dover and we are not allowed to see and honor.

I am a fiscal conservative watching the biggest government expansion since LBJ, a favorite of ASST Sec Wolf, go see his Cspan archived talk at Georgetown recently.

Namecalling is counterproductive to any discussion.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

inPhase, member (Troll?) since 9/1/03.....