First Pre-emptive War

[apeman81]

Susan Page in an article for USA TODAY writes "It would be the first preventive war in U.S. history, the first time the nation has attacked without being struck first. An aide says Bush sees himself as redefining the U.S. role at a moment the ''tectonic plates'' of the world order are shifting -- as they did in 1776 and 1914 and at other big moments in history."

I wish to strongly object to the ridiculous assertion that this is the first “pre-emptive" action taken by the Unitede States. Putting aside the argument that this war is to be fought to force Saddam to disarm, as the ceasefire and subsequent resolutions ordered, what everyone seems to overlook is John F. Kennedy’s October Missile Crisis.

Unless we are to believe that JFK, on behalf of the US, was bluffing, and he would not have backed up his play with action, then his ordering of a blockade of Cuba, an act of war, was indeed a previous, pre-emptive confrontation. The only difference between that situation and current crisis is that Hussein is not backing down, and we must back up our threats with action.

Don’t allow this assertion go unchallenged

[Cyber Liberty]

I'll be sure and correct her on my next coast-to-coast, 5-network speech.

[Ingtar]

Barbary Pirates.

[NELSON111]

We must also remind people that we are still at war with them...we have just had a 12 year semi-cease fire.

[Sacajaweau]

Kissinger: "The word pre-emptive is being used improperly in this case".

[DoughtyOne]

Evidently this person doesn't have a memory span of more than 18 months. HELLO! 09/11 babe! Hussein pays PLO Homicide Bomber's families. Get it babe? He supports terrorists. Al Qaida and the Taliban are terrorists. They are known to operate in Iraq.

Get - a - life!

[Grampa Dave]

The XYZ war and the war against the Barbary Pirates were the ancestors of this action.

[apeman81]

Would you? Thanks!!!

Whew! That's a load of my mind.

[apeman81]

Would you? Thanks!!!

Whew! That's a load off my mind.

[jonalvy44]

what about T. Jefferson attacking the Barbary States?

[Grim]

We WERE ATTACKED. Think September 11.

[Bigg Red]

You need to understand that Susan Paige has the critical thinking skills of the average invertebrate.

[Tribune7]

the first time the nation has attacked without being struck first.

Sure. Sept. 11 never happened. Saddam never tried to kill Bush I.

[trebb]

A bigger difference is that Kennedy made it clear that the repercussions would be unacceptable. President Bush tried to do the same thing but France/Germany/Russia diluted it and gave Sadaam the perception of wriggle room. If they had allowed the UN to stand united and firm, there is a good chance that Iraq (perhaps not Sadaam) would have found a way to prevent an all out war.

[Aquinasfan]

what everyone seems to overlook is John F. Kennedy’s October Missile Crisis.

Me too. Good point. This action is even less of a preemptive action since it's really a continuation of the 1991 war.

[js1138]

Serbia comes to mind. 75 days of bombing.

[harpseal]

The following wars were not preceded with a clear attack on US interests. Spanish American War, Mexican War, War of 1812 and World War I. The war against Iraq was, however preceded by the antrax attaxks on the USA and of course the 1993 bombing. Both of the above attacks may be reasonably imputed to an Iraqi source.

[cynicom]

I do not recall we invaded any country while Kennedy was president.

[Jemian]

the first time the nation has attacked without being struck first

Where was Susan Page on Sept. 11, 2001? That was an attack agains US. Does she not understand the terms, "aiding and abetting?" Hussein foments terrorism. He supports the actions of our enemies. He plans to use his WMD against US. In what world is Page living?

[SamAdams76]

Technically Iraq did strike first - when they invaded Kuwait in 1990. The United States went to war in 1991 and liberated Kuwait. In addition, they granted Iraq a cease-fire which was contingent upon a host of conditions which Iraq has failed to live up to. As a result, the cease-fire will soon be voided and the war will be resumed to its conclusion.