I spend far too much time arguing with Bush’s war supporters on message boards. They are handcuffed to a failed president, a failed policy and a corrupt ideology. They have hitched thier wagon to a horse’s ass.
One of the “points” they continually try to drive home is that Democrats voted to attack Iraq in 2002.
BULLSHIT.
They voted to give Bush the authority to use the military if necessary.
IF NECESSARY.
Here is the relevant text from the resolution:
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.
(a) AUTHORIZATION- The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to–
(1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and
(2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding
Iraq.
(b) PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATION- In connection with the exercise of the authority granted in subsection (a) to use force the President shall, prior to such exercise or as soon thereafter as may be feasible, but no later than 48 hours after exercising such authority, make available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that–
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic or other peaceful means alone either (A) will not adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq or (B) is not likely to lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and(2) acting pursuant to this joint resolution is consistent with the
United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorist and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
It was not necessary to attack Iraq. The failure to find any WMD’s has vindicated this position which sane people held before the invasion. Iraq was not a threat to the United States or anyone else. WE controlled the Northern and Southern No-Fly Zones. Iraq’s army was half what it was before the first Gulf War. In early 2001 Colin Powell and Condeleeza Rice both said Saddam was CONTAINED:
Asked about the sanctions placed on Iraq, which were then under review at the Security Council, Powell said the measures were working. In fact, he added, “(Saddam Hussein) has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbors.”
Powell said the sanctions were working but there were questions because they could not get inspectors in. Well, the threat of war got the inspectors in and when they were finding that the Bush administration’s claims were bullshit, Bush panicked, pulled the inspectors and attacked.
How could Bush make the determination, after only 4 months that “diplomatic or other peaceful means (inspections)” were failing? The inspectors had found no WMD’s and were actually destroying proscribed weapons. And then a few months later Bush, trying to justify his invasion, said, no LIED, that Saddam wouldn’t let inspectors in:
Bush: “The larger point is, and the fundamental question is, did Saddam Hussein have a weapons program? And the answer is, absolutely. And we gave him a chance to allow the inspectors in, and he wouldn’t let them in. And, therefore, after a reasonable request, we decided to remove him from power, along with other nations, so as to make sure he was not a threat to the United States and our friends and allies in the region. I firmly believe the decisions we made will make America more secure and the world more peaceful. ”
The Democrats in Congress had the right idea: Give Bush the hammer he needed to give some teeth to the diplomatic efforts. It worked. They got inspectors into Iraq. Little did they know however, that the smirking little motherfucker would screw them, us, the Iraqi people and almost (to date) four thousand of our soldiers.
Excerpt from the resolution:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/10/20021002-2.html
Lie about letting inspectors in:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/07/20030714-3.html
Inspectors destroying missiles:
http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/7700-inspectors-in-iraq-destroying-al-samoud-missiles-2003
Powell’s remarks:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/28/iraq/main575469.shtml