[A message]

Those who condemn Bush’s decision to go to war, bemoan its cost in material and human terms, and deplore the damage it has allegedly done to the American image around the world should consider what would have happened if there had been no war. It is not just that millions of Iraqis would still be in the iron grip of Saddam and his police state. The fact is that, by 2002, no inspection regime and no amount of international pressure, no matter how plumped up by yet another UN resolution, would have kept him contained any longer. The Oil-for-Food corruption would have continued to grow unrestrained, finding reliable co-conspirators in Europe and the Middle East. Rising oil prices over the next half-decade would have kept Saddam awash in cash, allowing him to rebuild his military and cement his connections with powers like Syria and Russia. He had called our bluff before; but this time it was no bluff.

Big, giant bookmark. Good post SJackson!

[bassmaner]

According to an April 2008 poll in U.S. News & World Report, fully 61 percent of American historians agree that George W. Bush is the worst President in our history.

The fact that a majority of so-called "historians" are making a historical judgement on a sitting president is proof positive that the academic establishment in the US is thoroughly corrupted with agenda-driven leftist ideologues who care nothing about objective truth and scholarship.

The Soviet intelligence agencies did their job of corrupting American institutions very well. Every time a story like this comes out, there are retired KGB Active Measures operatives toasting each other in the Black Sea dachas, as they celebrate the demise of their glavni vrag: the "main enemy".

[karnage]

Tremendous piece. Thanks for posting it.

[faq]

Interesting, thanks for posting. In my opinion, the article should more correctly be titled “Why Iraq Was Nearly Inevitable” because history and the future doesn't seem inevitable to me. Looking back now, if John Kerry had been elected in 2004 we might have lost this war. And that would have been truly frightening for the future. Anyway, to get back on topic, great article.

[Lucky9teen]

[mtntop3]

The ultimate judge is the Lord God.

George W. Bush has acted in faith with the Lord God. That is all any of us can do.

As for the naysayers, haters and schemers who have existed since recorded history - where is the praise of them in that history?

[ADemocratNoMore]

Great post, Thanks!. ‘Tis a pity that those who are most ignorant of the facts presented here are the ones least likely to read this, and, if they were to try, I doubt most would have the attention span to read the whole thing.

[Cacique]

btt

[listenhillary]

The lies and hypocrisy of the left have the light of truth shined on them by this analysis.

[Mike Darancette]

The snipers on the left have had Bush in their hind sights for years.

[listenhillary]

Ping. Long read but worth it.

[neverdem]

BTTT!

[SuziQ]

Bump for later reading, when I have the mental capacity to digest it all. ;o)

[endthematrix]

I wish the author had noted that Desert Storm really knocked out Saddam’s thrust towards nuclear development. Without that punch, 2003 would have seen a Iraq as a nuclear power and holding the region captive.

[SunkenCiv]

The Oil-for-Food corruption would have continued to grow unrestrained, finding reliable co-conspirators in Europe and the Middle East. Rising oil prices over the next half-decade would have kept Saddam awash in cash, allowing him to rebuild his military and cement his connections with powers like Syria and Russia. He had called our bluff before; but this time it was no bluff.

Thanks SJackson for the topic, and neverdem for the link.