Bush was wrong, he lied to us.

Ken [NY] wrote:

What if Bush has been right about Iraq all along?

February 1, 2005

BY MARK BROWN SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

Maybe you're like me and have opposed the Iraq war since before the
shooting started -- not to the point of joining any peace protests,
but at least letting people know where you stood.

You didn't change your mind when our troops swept quickly into
Baghdad or when you saw the rabble that celebrated the toppling of
the Saddam Hussein statue, figuring that little had been
accomplished and that the tough job still lay ahead.

Despite your misgivings, you didn't demand the troops be brought home
immediately afterward, believing the United States must at least try
to finish what it started to avoid even greater bloodshed. And while
you cheered Saddam's capture, you couldn't help but thinking
I-told-you-so in the months that followed as the violence continued
to spread and the death toll mounted.

By now, you might have even voted against George Bush -- a second
time -- to register your disapproval.

But after watching Sunday's election in Iraq and seeing the first
clear sign that freedom really may mean something to the Iraqi
people, you have to be asking yourself: What if it turns out Bush
was right, and we were wrong?

It's hard to swallow, isn't it?

Americans cross own barrier

If you fit the previously stated profile, I know you're fighting the
idea, because I am, too. And if you were with the president from the
start, I've already got your blood boiling.

For those who've been in the same boat with me, we don't need to
concede the point just yet. There's a long way to go. But I think we
have to face the possibility.

I won't say that it had never occurred to me previously, but it's
never gone through my mind as strongly as when I watched the
television coverage from Iraq that showed long lines of people
risking their lives by turning out to vote, honest looks of joy on
so many of their faces.

Some CNN guest expert was opining Monday that the Iraqi people
crossed a psychological barrier by voting and getting a taste of
free choice (setting aside the argument that they only did so under
orders from their religious leaders).

I think it's possible that some of the American people will have
crossed a psychological barrier as well.

Deciding democracy's worth

On the other side of that barrier is a concept some of us have had a
hard time swallowing:

Maybe the United States really can establish a peaceable democratic
government in Iraq, and if so, that would be worth something.

Would it be worth all the money we've spent? Certainly.

Would it be worth all the lives that have been lost? That's the more
difficult question, and while I reserve judgment on that score until
such a day arrives, it seems probable that history would answer yes
to that as well.

I don't want to get carried away in the moment.

Going to war still sent so many terrible messages to the world.

Most of the obstacles to success in Iraq are all still there, the
ones that have always led me to believe that we would eventually be
forced to leave the country with our tail tucked between our legs.
(I've maintained from the start that if you were impressed by the
demonstrations in the streets of Baghdad when we arrived, wait until
you see how they celebrate our departure, no matter the
circumstances.)

In and of itself, the voting did nothing to end the violence. The
forces trying to regain the power they have lost -- and the outside
elements supporting them -- will be no less determined to disrupt our
efforts and to drive us out.

Somebody still has to find a way to bring the Sunnis into the
political process before the next round of elections at year's end.
The Iraqi government still must develop the capacity to protect its
people.

And there seems every possibility that this could yet end in civil
war the day we leave or with Iraq becoming an Islamic state every
bit as hostile to our national interests as was Saddam.

Penance could be required

But on Sunday, we caught a glimpse of the flip side. We could finally
see signs that a majority of the Iraqi people perceive something to
be gained from this brave new world we are forcing on them.

Instead of making the elections a further expression of "Yankee Go
Home," their participation gave us hope that all those soldiers
haven't died in vain.

Obviously, I'm still curious to see if Bush is willing to allow the
Iraqis to install a government that is free to kick us out or to
oppose our other foreign policy efforts in the region.

So is the rest of the world.

For now, though, I think we have to cut the president some slack
about a timetable for his exit strategy.

If it turns out Bush was right all along, this is going to require
some serious penance.

Maybe I'd have to vote Republican in 2008.


Cordially,
Ken (NY)

email: http://www.geocities.com/bluesguy68/email.htm
spammers can send mail to

There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The premise for the war is
bogus. It is all great and wonderful there's been an election in Iraq,
however it's not *that* new to them as there were various 'lesser' elections
held there before. You want to find the Islama-bomb ? It's in Pakistan,
Bush's newfound friend.

By the way, when is Bush going to 'bring democracy' to Saudi Arabia?

There are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The premise for the war is
bogus. It is all great and wonderful there's been an election in Iraq,
however it's not *that* new to them as there were various 'lesser' elections
held there before. You want to find the Islama-bomb ? It's in Pakistan,
Bush's newfound friend.

By the way, when is Bush going to 'bring democracy' to Saudi Arabia?