| January
21, 2003
It's
like watching a rerun of a bad movie, and he doesn't feel like watching
anymore. I hear this over the radio today, and I think, where does
President Bush find these nuggets of wisdom? The propaganda push
for war in Iraq has been one bizarre claim after another, each one
more incredulous than the last.
Iraq
has stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons. Iraq was really
behind the September 11 attacks. Saddam Hussein is in league with
Al Qaeda. The Iraqis have rockets and unmanned aircraft that can
strike the United States. They are about to drop The Bomb on our
country any minute now. The fact that UN weapons inspectors have
free reign in his country is proof that Saddam isn't cooperating.
We have proof that there are weapons of mass destruction, we just
can't show you. Besides, even if there is no proof, the lack of
any real evidence is proof that the Iraqi regime has these weapons.
All
the while, Bush grows increasingly frustrated. The source of his
frustration is, naturally, the world's reluctance to march headlong
into a war in Iraq. The French government is openly defiant, promising
to veto any war resolution in the UN, and Russia, Germany, and China
are running close behind. Support for Gulf War II around the world
is reaching embarrassing lows. Over 70 percent of Britons oppose
military action. Germany is at 80 percent. 90 percent in Turkey?!
Of
course, that doesn't really matter when you're desperate to start
a war. We know the routine by heart now: If the UN doesn't endorse
Bush's war, he will lead "a coalition of the willing"
to remove Hussein from power. Watching the hawks in the White House
throw these temper tantrums would be laughable if this wasn't all
so serious. I'm tired of all this delay, I want my war NOW!
If Bush doesn't get what he wants, will he hold his breath until
he passes out? This isn't something you can run to the Supreme Court
with.
And
that's another thing. I have a problem with this phrase that gets
repeated ad nauseum. "A coalition of the willing?" What
exactly does that mean? This reminds me of Bush's "debating
society" line during the last UN resolutions debate. The very
notion of the UN enforcing its resolutions, coming from the American
Administration that has opposed, ignored or scuttled every international
treaty it finds, it just absurd. What about the resolution calling
for the Mideast to be a nuclear-free zone? Or what about the one
calling for Israel to withdraw from the West Bank?
The
secret to success for Mr. Bush is to repeat the same mantras, over
and over, until everyone is browbeaten into submission. Never mind
worrying yourself over such silly little details like, oh, facts.
That just gets in the way. Just keep hitting us over the head with
the same song and dance. What do I have to do, hold up a sign? They're
lying. The really sad thing is, these aren't even
particularly good lies.
The
only place in the world where these absurd claims have any traction
is, well, America. In the land of Jerry Springer, Fear Factor, and
the Two Second Attention Span, you find a country whose citizens
blindly accept, without question, everything their "leaders"
sell them. A large majority actually believes Iraq was responsible
for 9/11; that Hussein has the bomb; that he's about to conquer
the Middle East, like Hitler conquered Europe. 70 percent can't
find the Pacific Ocean on a map. A full third of Americans think
the moon landing was a hoax.
We're
not even dealing with reality anymore. This has turned into a Marx
Brothers picture. It's only a matter of time before the White House
starts quoting Groucho. We have to go to war; I already paid
a month's rent on the battlefield! Just remember, kids, while you're
out there risking life and limb, we'll be in here thinking what
a sucker you are. |
