It looks like Bush is giving up on diplomacy. A Halliburton subsidiary has already gained contracts for rebuilding Iraq and putting out the fires that will be started on Iraqi oil fields. When we see the horror of war, Cheney's buddies will only see how much tax dollars will be paid to them for the destruction that's about to be unleashed.
I grew up thinking how politicians are paid to conduct diplomacy; to avoid war at all costs. But once elected officials gain power, they can do whatever they want it seems. Just to enforce that idea, here's an email I received today:
Excepts of an interview of Herman Goering while in prison during the Nuremberg Trials in April 1946. From the records of his interviewer, psychologist Gustave Gilbert:Goering: "Of course the people do not want war.....but after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship.
Gilbert: "There is one difference," I pointed out. "In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."
Goering: "That is all well and good; but voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger. It works the same way in any country."
Comments (1)
It's sad to see that this administration is so bent on starting a war with Iraq. I read an article in the newspaper over the weekend about how Bush is tired of waiting for the UN Security Council to decide on a resolution about disarming Iraq. One U.S. official said that there were two alternatives, and both lead to war on Iraq: (1) the U.S. lets the UN vote on whether to invade (the UN will probably vote NO) and we go in anyways, or (2) we use some remote law from the 70s as the excuse to invade without UN approval. Scenario 2 is more likely, it would look very, very bad (instead of just very bad) if the U.S. goes against the UN vote. Who does Bush and his supporters think they are? What makes them think a war is the best solution? And all the people who think the war is a good idea will change their minds once the bodies start coming back home. Then they'll call on the administration to find another way around this conflict. But it will be too late by then, we'll be in so deep that we have to finish the war. And can't Mr. Bush see that the war will just cause the Arab countries to hate us even more and more attacks like 9/11 are likely to happen as a result? The short-sightedness of this current administration never ceases to amaze me...
Posted by lisa | March 17, 2003 6:53 AM
Posted on March 17, 2003 06:53