WAR MONGERER!!!

This is a rant I wrote that I think I might distribute around my liberal arts campus. I would appreciate any criticisms you can give me.

Excerpt: Washington -- For the second time in a week, [the President] has warned that the United States is "determined to deny" Iraq's Saddam Hussein "the capacity to use weapons of mass destruction again."

In a January 29 speech to high-ranking military officials at the National Defense University at Fort McNair, [the President] reiterated the position he stated in his January 27 State of the Union Address before Congress.

"We know that Saddam has used weapons of mass destruction before," he said. "We again say he should comply with the UNSCOM regime and the will of the United Nations. But, regardless, we are determined to deny him the capacity to use weapons of mass destruction again."

The President emphasized that preventing "nuclear, chemical and biological weapons from winding up in the wrong hands is among the primary challenges we face in the new security environment."

[The President] noted that the United States has vital interests in a stable Persian Gulf region, pointing out that the area is "home to two-thirds of the world's oil resources and some of its most hostile regimes."

Since Desert Storm in January, 1991, "America has worked steadily and persistently to contain the threat Saddam poses, through sanctions that deny him billions every year to rebuild his military; and, where necessary, with force," [the President] said.

[The President] "has not made any decision on use of force" with respect to Iraq, "but he clearly is discussing what options are available with others, and so are our senior diplomats," the Press Secretary explained.

Doesn't the rhetoric sound familiar? Aren't you getting sick of it? You should be. The excerpted text was spoken by the former president William Clinton during Janurary of 1998, almost a full year before Operation Desert Fox which took place in December of 1998. Naturally the question arises, "where was the dissent then?"

In June of 1993 in response to the Iraqi attempt to assasinate former president George Bush, Bill Clinton ordered a cruise missile strike on the intelligence headquarters in Baghdad. U.S. warships launched 24 cruise missiles into downtown Baghdad. Where was the dissent then?

In 1994 Saddam Hussein moved Iraqi troops to the Kuwaiti border. The forces withdrew after the United States deployed a carrier group, warplanes and 54,000 troops to the Persian Gulf region. Where was the dissent then?

In 1997 Saddam Hussein expelled all but six of the U.S. participants of the U.N. inspection team on allegations of espionage. Later he expelled the remaining six. The remaining U.N. inspectors withdrew in protest. The U.S. and Great Britain began a massive military buildup in the Persian Gulf again. How dare the imperialists! No Blood for Oil!

In February of 1998 through appeasement negotiations, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan got the inspectors re-admitted by promising to ease economic sanctions. In August of 1998, Iraq again renigged on its obligations and cut ties with the weapons inspectors. In October the U.S. and Great Britain threatened military action to force compliance. Where's Jimmy Carter when you need him? I'm sure he'd find the Clinton administration a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

The case for a war with Iraq in 1998 is identical to the current case for war. Central to the argument is that Iraq did/does still possess weapons of mass destruction. It was/is necessary for inspectors to destroy those threats to the world community. Iraq was/is not cooperating with the U.N. inspectors and was/is in "material breach" of U.N. resolutions ordering Iraqi disarmament. But there are many differences.

Where was Reverend Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson calling for "Minds over missiles" in 1998? Where were the human shields heading to Iraq on double decker buses to protect the innocent Iraqis from the "racist pigs" in the White House in 1998? Where were the talking heads on CNN whining incessantly for the need of a "smoking gun" in order to launch a war. Clearly the liberal far-left and the peace activists didn't give a damn about human rights and the morality of war in 1998.

Although who can blame them? The crisis in Iraq in 1998 and the military buildup preceding Operation Desert Fox got less media attention and criticism than President George Bush Jr.'s daughters' underage drinking. Half of Americans today probably couldn't even tell you what Operation Desert Fox was, much less any details about it.

And so on December 16, 1998, the U.S. and Great Britain launched a massive 70 hour air campaign on more than 100 Iraqi military and industrial targets. Comments from Gen. Anthony C. Zinni: Overall, Operation Desert Fox involved more than 30,000 U.S. troops in the Gulf, and 10,000 more from outside Central Command. “We flew over 600 sorties in four days,” Zinni said. “Over 300 of those were night-strike sorties.” More than 300 aircraft involved in strike and support roles delivered over 600 pieces of ordnance and 90 cruise missiles, he continued. Over 40 ships performed strike and support roles, with 10 launching over 300 missiles.

Saddam Hussein, as most expected him to do, claimed civilian casualties in the high hundreds, while U.S. estimates put the total civilian deaths at more around 60 and 80 wounded. Nonetheless, there was innocent loss of life. Where were groups like the socialist International ANSWER funding huge anti-war demonstrations in all the main U.S. cities and calling for a revolution to overthrow the "oil-hungry idiots" in the Clinton White House? They were at home playing nintendo being the politcal whores they are to liberal ideology. Where were the flag-burners then? Hell, in the current crisis there hasn't even been a shot fired yet, but some people would like you to believe Bush is eating Iraqi babies for breakfast every morning.

The media circus surrounding "countdown Iraq" is doing nothing but fuel this craziness. If you're an ardent anti-war advocate did you oppose Operation Desert Fox? Did you oppose Desert Storm? Did you oppose Vietnam? Do you think the U.S. involvement in WWII was justified? Were colonies justified to fight the British in the Revolutionary War? If you're a pacifist let me punch you in the face a few times, and then you tell me if want to hit me back. Otherwise, you believe that wars must sometimes be fought to advance the wills of nations. The nations of the world have called on Iraq to (again) finally give up its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and destroy his stockpiles or least offer proof of having already done so. Clearly this will never happen while Iraq is under the control of Saddamn Hussein. History has shown this to be true over and over, and it's being proved as I type. Saddam must go. President George W. Bush has said this all along, and he is right. I admire the man for taking the political heat, and for his aspirations: "We will not deny, we will not ignore, we will not pass along our problems to other Congresses, to other presidents, and other generations. We will confront them with focus and clarity and courage."

Good essay, excellent points. Just one thing, when you talk about "punching a pacifist", its somewhat jarring and out of moral tone with the rest of the article. That's not a big criticism, just something that this former English teacher picked up on. Otherwise, I'm going to use a lot of these arguments with the liberal pukes at my work. Nice job.

The US worked to starve iraqi babies, and bomb civilians non-stop since 1991.

No, during the 90's (think Klinton) the US and the UN failed to make Saddam live up to what he agreed to in 91.

Oh, and welcome to FR. I doubt you will be here long but I'll ask you anyway, what do you think most of the things that surround you right now (including the computer you typed your reply on) are made of? Peanut Butter Oil?

I have recycled and composted before they were considered cool, but that does not mean that I think oil, and the wise use of it, is evil. We have a way of life that, I'm sure you would agree, needs to be protected and defended. That way of life is under attack.

As for Iraq, you didn't answer the main point. Saddam has failed to live up to what was agreed upon in 91 and the US, under the leadership of Bill Clinton, and the UN failed to make him live up to it.

The US worked to starve iraqi babies, and bomb civilians non-stop since 1991.

"What did ~~Iraq people~~Yugoslavian people ever do to us?"
Did Clinton gather world wide UN support before attacking a sovereign nation? How many people died because Monica spoke? Was a BJ for Clinton worth the deaths of all these babies?

PS. If you want to talk about dead babies, check out your local abortion clinic. You'll find thousands of them who have been dismembered alive and stuffed into garbage bags, compliments of the pro-death Democrat party.

Your sons and daughters are being sent to war, to run ~~your SUVs~~Limosine liberals and celebrity private jets. War2003 sponsored by ~~ExxonMobil~~ Anti-Communist patriots of the US and around the world.

PS. Gore lost. Get over it!

If you punch me in the face that'll be more aggression than iraq has shown, and then I can quite easily justify opening your face with a spade. However just because you can make fists doesn't mean I should attack you first.

What are you going to say when the Iraq people are finally freed, and they're celebrating their liberation in the streets? You'd better think of something, and fast. You're looking like fools already. Imagine how rediculous you'll look to the world then! Wow!

As a side note, vegetable oil with a very small amount of refined fuel can be used to power diesel vehicles, which isn't as polluting either and is cheaper.

But....but....plowing the fields to grow the veg oil will scar mother earth! What...what....if a living creature lives in the field? Rats have rights, too. PETA said so! Where would that much veg oil be grown?

Stop supporting terrorism. Drill Anwar!!!

I take it Aimax has been removed, or am I finally losing my mind?

To Jason Kramer: Well done! To make your subject more easiy digested for "dummies", I would indicate each talking point with a bullet or some form of highlight.

Good luck with a positive response. Consider that you are sharing knowledge with some who are in darkness!!

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