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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 zero-second attention span, you find a country whose citizens
blindly accept, without question, everything their "leaders"
sell them. A solid 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.
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