Atticus
March 8, 2003, 12:57 AM
Saddam Hussein agreed to inspections for one reason only - He was staring down the barrel of a big U.S. gun.
If the U.S armed forces were not there, he would have continued to thumb his nose at the world, and would continue to acquire, or build, all the weapons he could afford. Saddam would eventually use them (most likely against Israel), or sell them to someone who would. Few disagree with that. But then... no one wants to talk about how the threat to Israel is relative to this either. Can’t offend the Muslims you know. And apparently, many of the folks in power today think the Muslims aren’t aware of Israel's stake in this.
This military build up has cost U.S. tax payers hundreds of millions of dollars so far, and this cost rises daily. But more importantly, the build up keeps several hundred thousand U.S military personnel abroad, separated from their families. Perhaps the world see's these people as nameless, faceless, American storm troopers - we do not. They are our sons, daughters, husbands, and wives. They are not pawns for European leverage. They pledged their lives to defend our country and our people. And they will do that now – or they should come home –NOW. They should also come home from Europe and Asia as soon as this matter is dealt with, regardless of the outcome.
Europeans, and much of the world it appears, feel that our families are obligated to keep sustained pressure on Saddam indefinitely, and that THEY should make the decision on how, when and where our people will fight. What happens if we do bring them home –all of them –and as soon as possible? Will Hans Blix maintain world peace with his winning European smile? What will the French do when reality bites them in the derriere? Will their single rickety aircraft carrier steam off to enforce UN sanctions, or re-open the sea lanes when their oil is choked off by regional conflict or acts of nuclear terrorism? Will Chile be as efficient as Columbia at stopping terrorism…Nigeria, or Cameroon? Will Russia or China lead the world with their fair and noble spirit. I don’t know….but I’m ready to find out. How about you?
If the U.S armed forces were not there, he would have continued to thumb his nose at the world, and would continue to acquire, or build, all the weapons he could afford. Saddam would eventually use them (most likely against Israel), or sell them to someone who would. Few disagree with that. But then... no one wants to talk about how the threat to Israel is relative to this either. Can’t offend the Muslims you know. And apparently, many of the folks in power today think the Muslims aren’t aware of Israel's stake in this.
This military build up has cost U.S. tax payers hundreds of millions of dollars so far, and this cost rises daily. But more importantly, the build up keeps several hundred thousand U.S military personnel abroad, separated from their families. Perhaps the world see's these people as nameless, faceless, American storm troopers - we do not. They are our sons, daughters, husbands, and wives. They are not pawns for European leverage. They pledged their lives to defend our country and our people. And they will do that now – or they should come home –NOW. They should also come home from Europe and Asia as soon as this matter is dealt with, regardless of the outcome.
Europeans, and much of the world it appears, feel that our families are obligated to keep sustained pressure on Saddam indefinitely, and that THEY should make the decision on how, when and where our people will fight. What happens if we do bring them home –all of them –and as soon as possible? Will Hans Blix maintain world peace with his winning European smile? What will the French do when reality bites them in the derriere? Will their single rickety aircraft carrier steam off to enforce UN sanctions, or re-open the sea lanes when their oil is choked off by regional conflict or acts of nuclear terrorism? Will Chile be as efficient as Columbia at stopping terrorism…Nigeria, or Cameroon? Will Russia or China lead the world with their fair and noble spirit. I don’t know….but I’m ready to find out. How about you?