My Responses to Reporter

I was contacted by a reporter yesterday following an interview I did Wednesday on 88.9FM in Fort Collins. He had a few questions, and wanted some comments from me. I thought I'd run my responses by FReepers and see what they think:

1. Do you agree with the Bush Administration's (and neoconservatives') goal of using military force to democratize Iraq?

Yes, primarily for two factors. First, because of the horrific, tyrannical butchery continually perpetrated on the Iraqi people by the Hussein regime; and secondly, because that regime had repeatedly and continually represented a severe and ongoing threat to the peace of the region and the stability of the world. Rape rooms, mass killing pits, execution by industrial shredder and hundreds of thousands of "disappeared" are a foul and unacceptable practice by any State power upon the citizenry it oversees. The invasion of Iran, the invasion of Kuwait, the use of poison gas in ethnic cleansing and the funding of homicide bombers in Israel were equally grotesque and impermissible.

Therefore, the regime in Iraq warranted immediate, forcible removal. It is testimony to the generous spirit and compassionate character of the United States that our efforts are subsequently focused upon rebuilding, reeducating, and rebirthing a new, free and democratic nation in Iraq.

2. Do you agree with the way the Bush Administration has handled the Iraq invasion and subsequent occupation?

Yes. The invasion and subjugation of Iraq was a stunningly successful military action. The enormous amount of territory seized in such a rapid time span, with miniscule casualties and total dominance of the battlefield has never before been matched in history. Accordingly, the handling of the invasion by the Administration and the Department of Defense was clearly and superbly professional.

With regards to the occupation - yes. The citizenry of Iraq is being provided opportunities and freedoms that have virtually never been available to them. Economic, religious, cultural and political arenas have all opened up in a manner they have never before experienced. Schools are being built, the infrastructure of the nation is being reconstructed - with an eye towards self-sufficiency, not the building of new palaces for a murderous despot - and the new Iraqi police and military are rapidly becoming more professional and capable. The future of Iraq is bright, and far outshines that of the people still groaning under the evil of Ba'ath cruelty in Syria and the insane mullahcracy in Iran.

Of course there is still terrorism, such as in Fallujah, and dissent. The terrorism will be dealt with in a resolute manner: through efficient and professional killing of those who would continue to spread terror and barbaric slaughter. Dissent, on the other hand, is not merely necessary but also a sign of thriving political and cultural growth. For decades dissent was punished in Iraq with monstrous brutality. The growing pains of political and religious self-responsibility are unequivocally to be expected.

3. What would you say to critics who claim the U.S. should not have invaded Iraq without U.N. support?

The United Nations is a corrupt, degenerate body which cannot be trusted with moral decisions of global nature. The resultant vacuum, in consequence, will be filled with whatever State power has the capacity and, more importantly, the willingness to make such decisions. I am thankful - both as an American, and as a human being - that the United States has filled that vacuum in a decisive and determined manner, and not the People's Republic of China.

You guy's may find this surprising, but the Editor of the Bullhorn spoke very highly about Mr. Teesdale. She found him to be well spoken, smart, and generally a pleasure interview.

Although we do have our own beliefs, we do not edit or censor interview content because we don't agree with it. All we expect is for the subject to be articulate and, in some way, an authority in his/her field. (Mr. Teesdale obviously meets this criterion.)

It should be noted that our bias is to cover issues that are ignored by mainstream press. In N. Colorado, where the dailies won't touch anything that they perceive will negatively impact their bottom line, this leaves us with quite a fertile field to pick from!

Joseph Rouse
Publisher
Rocky Mountain Bullhorn

No apologies needed. I know a thing or two about being a jaded reader of daily papers. As a mater of fact, we started the Bullhorn because of such feelings.

Also I think its worth noting that those posting on this site and and I may have more in common than expected. I can only speak for myself but I think it is clear that many of our beliefs/priorities are the same.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but we all have a healthy disdain for the current state of affairs. We all understand that those currently in power could use a good kick in the ass. We shares values like being articulate, actually working towards change, and working as a community (or group if the former sounds too sensitive).

Although there’s a lot to disagree about, I’ve long respected people who think like you guys (please forgive the assumption, but I think I am familiar with the kind of ideas people on this site are interested in). On the cover of a very early edition of the Bullhorn we featured a story about the Tyranny Response Team and the Million mom march. The story is almost 4 years old, but still stands out as one of my favorites. I remember being surprised by the intellect and rational of those involved with the TRT. What they were saying jibed with a belief I’ve had for a while.

My political beliefs (again, speaking for myself) have always made me suspicious of anti-gun laws. I tend to believe that they’re about as effective as drug laws. I do however, want to see the level of violence in our country reduced, I just think the means to the this end will come from a more fundamental place then the legislature. (It should be noted that I’m not interested in guns either and you probably won’t see me around the firing range anytime soon.)

The bottom line for me is simple. I hate apathy. I despise those who don’t get off their asses and do anything. This site is obviously not filled with this kind of person. Because of this alone, I can look beyond the many things I’m sure we would disagree about and feel a fundamental respect for you guys.

(PS- we give critical letters to the editor priority, so send us your hate mail! www.rockymountainbullhorn.com )

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