War critics astonished as US hawk admits invasion was illegal

The Guardian ^ | 11/20/2003 | Oliver Burkeman and Julian Borger

[JohnGalt]

Perle is no friend to the Bush Administration and with his now multiple financial scandals, should be fired ASAP.

"I think in this case international law stood in the way of doing the right thing."

"international law ... would have required us to leave Saddam Hussein alone",

[JohnGalt]

Can you believe this guy?

Look at those quotes given to a foreign audience; what the hell is he up to?

[sanchmo]

I have a different interpretation of this comment. I don't read "the war was illegal" - I read "the concept of international law is a useless, meaningless joke."

[dirtboy]

I have a different interpretation of this comment. I don't read "the war was illegal" - I read "the concept of international law is a useless, meaningless joke."

It would be interesting to see the entire quote to understand the context of this one sentence.

[ModelBreaker]

Actually, his point regarding international law was good: if the invasion violated international law, the defect is with international law, not the invasion.

[DeuceTraveler]

That's what I see.

[dirtboy]

He did speak yesterday at the ICA, but there is no transcript on their site.

[MNnice]

To quote Ann Coulter, "Look, let's be honest, International law is whatever the United States and Britain says it is."

[OldFriend]

If you read Perle's statement you see that he is absolutely correct and the breathless headline is as usual biased in it's interpretation.

Either we respect our national security mandate or we bow to international law.....WHICH IS IT GOING TO BE!!!

[Queen of Excelsior]

This article is a pile of garbage and the quotes certainly don't justify the headline. Just another attempt at Bush bashing.

[JohnGalt]

I agree and otherwise I would have liked to double check a transcript before posting this article, but when I saw it, I was pretty steamed that Perle is up to something and thought it best to go ahead and post the article.


I am truly embarrassed by these posters who think this was a smart thing to say by an underling to a foreign audience.

[JohnGalt]

Perle bashing you mean, right?

[Grut]

I will believe 'international law' exists when I can dial I-911 and get the international police. But even then, I wouldn't necessarily think it was a good thing.

[tallhappy]

What's funny is you try to present this as a serious article to slam the Bush administration and peddle your lefty screed, as if it were some concession that the war was "illegals" -- the leftist mantra.

But it is a criticism of so-called international law.

The first sentences and premise of the article that the war was illegal and he admitted it is lie and distorts what was said as well -- a tip off to the leftist agenda driven piece.

If you believe there is or should be some sort of global super entity with authority over the US you'd like this article.

[Sloth]

"They're just not interested in international law, are they?" said Linda Hugl

Nope. Glad you dimwits finally got that through your thick skulls.

[Publius6961]

It doesn't take much intellectual horsepower to go through the exercise: What is international law?
To whom does it apply?
Who enforces it?

I have a strong feeling that for any normal person, viewing "international law" against the backdrop of the real world, his head would explode.

There is something about official diplomacy that is not quite real.

[tallhappy]

Perle bashing you mean, right?

No. US of A and Bush administration attacking.

I also think you have the other reasons for your vitriol and comments.

Obsession with the "neo-cons" is pathological these days and a huge portion is driven by the same ol same ol' anti-semitism.

It's been amazing to see.

I figure that's what is driving you as much as anything as well.

[JohnGalt]

Sorry, buddy.

I am a Bush supporter where as you, apparently are a Richard Perle Global Democratic Revolution Trotskyite. If you are so naive to politics that you can't even consider that Perle might possibly be up to something then there is little anyone can do for you at this stage.