TelePolis quotes Bush:
There have been disagreements in this matter, among old and valued friends. Those differences belong to the past. All of us can now agree that the fall of the Iraqi dictator has removed a source of violence, aggression, and instability in the Middle East. It’s a good thing that the demands of the United Nations were enforced, not ignored with impunity. It is a good thing that years of illicit weapons development by the dictator have come to the end. It is a good thing that the Iraqi people are now receiving aid, instead of suffering under sanctions. And it is a good thing that the men and women across the Middle East, looking to Iraq, are getting a glimpse of what life in a free country can be like. US-Präsident Bush am 19.3.2004 ¹
Uh... who ignored the United Nations? Who imposed the sanctions? And do you really think that people in the Middle East are looking to Iraq with any kind of longing? Who helped Iraq in its weapons program? Who spreads violence, aggression, and instability in the Middle East?
Yes, a powerful United Nations unfettered by veto-wielding superpowers would be interesting. Yes, no more sanctions is a good thing. It’s a good think the weapons production stopped. No thanks to the US, Germany, France, Switzerland, and all the other former Saddam Hussein friends. ²
And Switzerland, too... Switzerland was one of the first countries to declare the second war in Iraq “over” – even before Bush said that the hostilities had ended – because there was a major arms-deal at stake, and Switzerland is not supposed to sell arms to warring countries...
As for receiving aid – I sure hope that the US is not stealing Iraqi oil to pay for the aid they’re giving back to Iraq... Or are they?
Don’t get me wrong: I think that pulling out immediately would be a bad decision. It would give people the worst of both worlds: First bombs and flaming death, and then poverty and crime. What needs to stop is lying and spinning. What needs to happen is some honest work in the field. Do something for their safety. Just look at the recent poll I read to see what the priorities should be. ³
The self-righteousness is revolting.
Well, there seems to be good news, too... The order 137 that was to introduce the Sharia was limited. Existing civil rights cannot be taken away from you for religious reasons. ⁴
#Iraq