We heard it repeatedly during the debates from Bush. When logic and truth failed him about the reasons for the Iraq Invasion, he invariably fell back to two excuses, said with great glee:
Excuse #1: The world is better of without Hussein. As I've posted before, the world would be a better off without quite a few people, both quantitatively and qualitatively, however this is not a reason for invasion. It's political rhetoric. Disagree with the statement and you'll be painted as a promoter of terrorism. Kerry, smartly, agrees with the statement but continues to hammer against lack of WMDs and Bush's ever-changing (*flipflopping*) reasons for invading Iraq. Hey Bush! Yesterday Hussein, tomorrow Castro? (Kerry also correctly noted that this is an excuse not a reason. Bush ran out of reasons months ago and is clinging to ideals to get him through his lies and amnipulations.)
Excuse #2: Bringing Democracy to Iraq will reduce terrorism. You've heard Bush proudly crow about Afghanistan holding its first free elections and how the Iraqis will learn to love Liberty. But like most of Bush's thought processes the logic is wrong. Democracy does not mean terrorism will be reduced - it's not a guarantee. Arguably it could be increased. If the peoples of a country are truly free then terrorist and fanatical philosophies will also be free to flourish. Example - the good ol' USA with Timothy McVeigh and his car bomb, and also the abortion clinic bombings by Christian fanatics. It's Terrorism American-style in the land of Democracy and Freedom. Truth is, the only way to protect a country from terrorism is to severely put the clamps down on the borders and subject the citizens to Thorough Security, with paranoia and constant surveillance for all. It'd be interesting to see Bush's reactions if Iraq chooses to go Fundamentalist.
For us as a country to go in to another land, overthrow the Government, install a new political system, and proclaim automatic victory is facetious, dangerous, and possibly counterproductive as any country invaded generates a share of people embarrased or angry about an invasion. To install a new government requires the blessings of the vast majority of the people, which in Iraq is obviously not happening as various factions are fighting the U.S. and against each other for control. If Bush has plans to bring peace to the Middle East by the method of invasion his first step has failed, unless he plans to invade and control the entire MIddle East. This is likely not to happen. If he planned to use Iraq as an example of a Happy Democracy, that too has failed as the interim government is seen as nothing more than a puppet for the U.S. Government. It is not an Iraq Government for the Iraqi people.
No more excuses. No more Bush. We need to restore our Democracy before we can preach Democracy to other countries.
|
