The Cost of Not Liberating Iraq

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mehdi tabesh 7:44AM November 11, 2008

To JTS:
Congress has authorized the continuation of the 'war' in Iraq every 90 days since the President's grace period ran out, as is specified in the Constitution. You are technically correct in saying that the President does not have the power to declare war; however, we are not in a declared war and have not been since WWII. As such, the President's actions are not illegal, since the checks and balances in the Constitution are still in effect.

Elenath of OH 5:01PM August 06, 2008

1 to 3 trillion dollars spent in this country on developing and deploying an infrastructure for energy independence in solar, nuclear, wind, wave, geothermal, and other technologies that don't depend upon fossil fuels would have done much more for our national security than the way it is being spent by throwing it down the black hole in the middle east wars.
What do you think?

Doctor Overbyte of CA 1:00PM June 08, 2008

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Neo of PA 6:08PM April 11, 2008

Why are so many responses here by men and where anger is expressed in a kind of seemingly hysterical way and where facts or data is not expressed?
I appreciate those here who took the time to educate us rather than having to read through so many emotional emails. Although I am a democrat its hard for even me to believe that George W. Bush could be the cause of all the ills in the world. In my mind, he cannot be that powerful, for such a little man. Must men be portraits in pscyohysteria?
The most important reality here is the dialogue. Truthfully, I believe we are all, in this country, still scared and unsettled by 911. We are still coming to grips with this and I think the current election reflects this.
So hey! lets keep talking guys. And please let us also listen as carefully as we tend to spark off.
Of special note, "Chicken Little, the sky is not falling!"
So it goes!

Tamar of CO 2:19PM April 10, 2008

JTS, some more facts for you: Saddam had a program for WMD's that was at least partly on hold. There is no question about this from post-invasion examination of Iraqi documents and testimony of witnesses including many of the top 50 most-wanted. A report was publicly issued which detailed these facts. Large amounts of documents from Iraq were declassified. I know that the press didn't choose to much publicize it, but the facts are out there if you care to look for them. The press clearly didn't have American security or Bush's reelection as their foremost goal or they would have given these facts more coverage. Also, there are Iraqi witnesses who claim that large quantities of WMD's were transported out of Iraq to Syria just prior to the invasion of Iraq using wide body jets for transport. Neither the press nor the administration has commented much on this. Neither has there been comment on the Korean built nuclear reactor in Syria that the Israelis recently blew up. I think you should not assume that you know all there is to know whether it is because of government secrecy, the tendentiousness of the press, or your own willful disinterest in the facts [which are contrary to your own bias]. Saddam had very nearly ended the UN sanctions regime by buying off Russia, China, France, Germany, etc. The record shows that Saddam's plan was resumption of WMD programs that were on standby. In answer of your question: "did the public and/or Congress authorize expenditure of its money and lives...?" Yes, that is what the "Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq" was all about which, by the way, gave six other reasons besides WMD's for war with Iraq (see Wikipedia article under "Iraq Resolution"). In fact Congress could change its mind and cut off funds even now if they wished to see Iraq turn into a failed state and terrorist haven. In fact this is exactly what Congress did in the mid 1970's to undermine South Vietnam and assure its fall to the Commis (and millions died...) There is no such will in Congress to repeat this mistake, at least not so far.

Dan of CT 9:12AM April 10, 2008

We have 0 troops in the country where bin Hidin is running from cave to cave. Would you suggest we invade Pakistan? Perhaps we should send several armored divisions into the mountains of Hindu Kush.

Brook of NY 7:35AM April 10, 2008

The biggest question, and the most important, to ask is "what is the cost of doing nothing?" When we consider that Saddam was selling oil "under the table" to France, Germany and Russia, paying the families of suicide bombers in the Palestinain Territory, and dodging UN inspectors at every opportunity, the odds that he wouldn't have caused the deaths of millions of Americans aren't very good. Another consideration is that since we have been in Iraq, Al Qeada has gone there, not here. I feel bad for the innocent Iraqis, but my concern is the innocent, and in some cases ignorant, Americans

Dave of OK 6:58AM April 10, 2008

I think the economy has done well during the Iraq war in large part because it's been 100% funded by deficit spending. In truth, we haven't paid for anything yet. Just like Medicare and SS, the bill will fall on future generations of Americans. I appreciate your positive perspective but I'm afraid that in this case the glass isn't half full. I doubt it's even a quarter full. Based on the path we're on, I'd say our strategy is to let foreigners leverage a weak dollar to buy all of our assets, then let as many immigrants in as necessary to build our workforce sufficient to cover our long term debt obligations. Come to think of it, that’s more the effect than the cause. When it comes to trying to figure out how we got into this situation, I’ll let you optimists come up with that one. I’ll give you a hint. It starts with L and rimes with “criminals”. If it wasn’t for the last 8 years, I might even agree with you.

FredO of MN 2:56AM April 10, 2008

Dan,
I will address the quotes you mention in another post. But the gyst of them seems to be that many outside the Administration recognized a threat and problem in Iraq. True. I don't know what they're supposed prove though. But I'll assume for discussion that the weight of public opinion as to the risk of Iraq was with the President, and he is at no more fault about WMD than anyone else.
But this does not address my main point, which is that the war in Iraq is now beyond the scope of authorization for war. Congress was sold on a war due the risk to the U.S. of WMD falling into the hands of Al Qaeda. When that risk was eliminated or proven non-exstent, then there was no longer cause of war and the President began to act unilaterally. The post conflict acts of the President reveal the true motivation for the war.
We were mistaken in the cause of the war, and our obligation was nothing more than to remedy our mistake and fix whatever we broke. We put a new government in place, we made reasonable effort to stabilize the country.
Answer this please: did the public and/or Congress authorize expenditure of its money and lives (plus many intangible costs) to build Democracy in Iraq or somehow establish some long term U.S. influence in the country? What exactly did we authorize the President to do?
As to quotes, how about these, which reflect the Administration's unique position as arbiter of information and regulator of the facts upon which public debate would revolve:
"Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. There is no doubt he is amassing them to use against our friends, against our allies, and against us." - Cheney, Aug 26, 2002, addressing the VFW
George Tenet later wrote: Cheney's statement "went well beyond what our own analysis could support."
The Bush Administration unquestionably overstated the case for war. The Administration over and over indicated that with 100% certainty Iraq had WMD. This was dishonest. They repeatedly stated that there was a tie to Al Qeada. The 9/11 COmission found this to be completely incorrect and there was insufficient intelligence to support the degree of linkage made by the Administration.
If the Bush Administration had said "we think Iraq might have/pursue WMD, but we're not sure", or "Iraq could have WMD, but we need to eliminate the dictatorship and install a legitimate government" and had a war approved on that basis, the difficulties of today would not be an issue. But the President deceived the public (and the people who Tom quoted) to obtain authorization for a war that they had decided to wage well before the public debate and saber rattling began (planning for war began in Dec 2001, and early after 9/11 Bush had made numerous statements indicating that war was necessary)
If citizens don't find outrage at this Administration's dishonesty, then things will only get worse in this country.
That is what angers me more than anything. I can understand mistakes, risks, balancing of costs of benefits, etc. I would be willing to forego the hindsight-informed second guessing if Bush had been honest. But when a President deceives to obtain war, he acts like the King that my forefathers fought to be free of.

JTS of WA 2:16AM April 10, 2008