'BRING OUR TROOPS HOME'

Sky News ^ | March 29, 2003 | Sky News

[Mister Magoo]

'BRING OUR TROOPS HOME'

Former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook has denounced the war in Iraq as "bloody and unecessary" and called on Tony Blair to bring Britain's troops home.

And he warned that Britain and America risked stoking up a "long-term legacy of hatred" for the West across the Arab and Muslim world.

The politician's resignation as Leader of the Commons was the most high-profile political protest against UK involvement in the war.

Mr Cook said President Bush and his defence secretary Donald Rusmsfeld did not appear to know what to do now their hopes that Iraq would swiftly capitulate had proved unfounded.

They appeared to be contemplating laying siege to Baghdad, which would result in massive civilian suffering and many unnecessary deaths, he said.

In the Sunday Mirror, Mr Cook wrote: "I have already had my fill of this bloody and unjust war. I want our troops home and I want them home before more of them are killed."

He attacked Mr Bush for "sitting pretty in the comfort of Camp David" while Allied forces risked death in an "unnecessary and badly planned" war.

"It is easy to show you are resolute when you are not one of the guys in a sandstorm peering around for snipers," he said.

"Nobody should start a war on the assumption that the enemy's army will co-operate. But that is exactly what President Bush has done.

"And now his Marines have reached the outskirts of Baghdad, he does not seem to know what to do next."

Mr Cook also raised concerns that the Iraq campaign could drag on for months and commended the decision to bring back the bodies of slain troops to be buried in Britain.

Last Updated: 00:12 UK, Sunday March 30, 2003

[listenhillary]

Don't mean to appear to be picking on you. You may have loved ones that have been deployed. If so I pray that they return safe and in one piece.

We are at a critical turning point in history that if we don't act now, things will get much uglier.

We must fight for what is right and some may die in this effort. To quit, to wish it would all go away is not an option. It would be the essence of anti-survivalism to bury our heads in the sand. Diplomacy, economic sanctions don't sway those who wish us dead.

[Z-28]

"Mr Cook said President Bush and his defence secretary Donald Rusmsfeld hopes ... that Iraq would swiftly capitulate had proved unfounded."

Huh? Bush has always said this could be a long war from day one.

The only thing that may make it a short war is if Saddam uses chemicals and biologicals, and then we use nukes.

[Russell Scott]

If respect and not blowing up our buildings is Arab hatred, I'm all for Arab hatred being stirred up.

[Linda]

Thank you for your kind reply. Yes, in fact I do have a loved one over there. Have you ever really thought about WHY the Islamic world hates us?

[The Duke]

Halliburton was dropped yesterday by the DoD from the list of companies who will be candidates for rebuilding a free Iraq.

Well, I am delighted to hear that we won't have to deal with that obvious conflict of interest. I can assure you that the only agenda I have is to live in a nation in which our leaders have some measure of the character and goodness as that exhibited by our fine troops during this period.

Towards that end I will remain ever vigilant, because I simply don't trust politicians.

[Consort]

That picture looks like Cook is doing an Andrew Sullivan impersonation.

[listenhillary]

Have you ever really thought about WHY the Islamic world hates us?

Because it is taught in the schools funded by people like Bin Laden.

Because Americans are defined by the crap movies and television shows consumed by those overseas.

Because they can never have what we have until they remove from power those in power that stifle creativity and entrepreneurs so as to maintain control of their energy and their lives.

I'm reminded of a story of an Iranian that was railing about how arrogant and stupid the U.S. is. Then asked the reporter if there was anyway he could get smuggled into America.

[zook]

A portion of the Arab world hates us because we support Israel and they wish to destroy her. I am not willing to abandon my support of the only middle east democracy.

Another portion of the Arab world hates us because they hate democracy, freedom, and western culture generally. I'm not willing to abandon these either.

We have been at war with the radical Islamic world since 1979 when the Iranians launched the first attack. Thank God Bush is finally doing something about it. Once we finish this war, it will send a powerful message throughout the Arab world--threaten us at your peril.

[arasina]

Have you ever really thought about WHY the Islamic world hates us?

Sounds like a quick trip to the psychiatrist is in order. Do you hate yourself? Are you a guilty human? Is the Islamic world's hatred of "us" justified in your mind? Please, just lie on the couch over there and listen to the soothing music while we ponder the ramifications of victory of the allied forces in Iraq, and then we'll get to the root cause of your SLS (self loathing syndrome).

[Mr. Mojo]

And he [Robin] warned that Britain and America risked stoking up a "long-term legacy of hatred" for the West across the Arab and Muslim world.

Earth to Robin: Wake up, you blithering idiot! It's too late -- the Islamists already hate our guts. And there's not a damn thing we can do about it. Typical liberal, this Robin. Always too willing to personally take the blame for others' hatred.

[Lurker]

That would be fine with me.

L

[BoomerBob]

Perhaps the more important questions is why would we want fantatic Islamists to love us? Personally, I would rather the Bin Ladens, Saddams and Assads of the world to fear us.

Another question--are you willing to post a mea culpa vanity if the results of this conflict proves you wrong? That would certainly earn greater respect than posting Buchananite paranoia without facts to augment your claims.

[Mr. Mojo]

Some of you need to wake up and realize what is really happening with this "war".

Tell us, Linda. Tell us all the "real story."

[Yankee]

Cook gets my vote for "Upper Class Twit Of The Year".

[Mr. Mojo]

Do you actually think we can take out the entire Arab world

Yes, easily. If that means resorting to using the glass-making part of our arsenal, so be it.

[Axman4]

http://axman4.com/

[Never2baCrat]

Start reading the news if you can find it. Halliburton is no longer getting the contract for rebuilding Iraq. They pulled out.

[Centurion2000]

Do you actually think we can take out the entire Arab world because that is exactly what it will come to

YES WE CAN ....

[Felland]

Is this the same Robin Cook that was happy to bomb Serb cities into dust without UN permission? I’m so tired of the rank hypocrisy of the ‘anti-war’ leaders.

[DoughtyOne]

Before the Iraq campaign took off eleven days ago, there was a lot of propagando floating around. This guy Cook is just admitting that he was a sucker from day one. If he's willing to admit it in public, I guess we shouldn't disagree. LOL