[Sonart]

Quote by: Scribbler I didn't support it because I thought it was a setup to allow us to go in for reasons not disclosed.

I think the answer there is that Bush senior had the chance to do exactly that and wisely didn't. And remember that this was back when Saddam DID have a massive army and did have chemical weapons, AND was clearly on record as still promoting his dream of a Saddam led, oil financed Greater Arab Empire. Had we not acted, and had Saddam moved south... taking the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and possibly the Saudi oil fields, which all lie in a relatively small area, we and all our allies would have been behind the oil barrel.

Quote by: Apeman Now we both know that he did not cooperate in either instance. He played with the weapons inspectors, disallowing them the ability to do their jobs. Not only did he violate the No fly zones, but he did so on occasion to lure U.S. Fighters to respond, then firing upon them with Surface to Air Missiles. That action, in case that escapes you, is an act of war.

So? The only thing that ever resulted from his firing on our aircraft, as we surveiled his country with impunity, was instant death for the poor dumb sunzubitches ordered to shoot the missiles. You've just shown reasons to continue keeping Iraq contained the way we were, not reason to cut our own throats by occupying a hostile country smack in the middle of Jihad central.

Quote by: Apeman Disregarding the 9/11 attacks, Saddam, through his actions, had invited upon himself the resumption of hostilities. War to topple Saddam was more than simply justified, his actions demanded it.

No they didn't. He had no weapons and no military to speak of. He was threatening no one, attacking no one. He was basically sticking his tongue out at us, being a pain in the butt, a geopolitical nuisance. Bush's intel and senior military were warning him that invading and occupying Iraq was an invitation to a quagmire, and an invitation to every Jihadi from every surrounding country to join an Intifada on steroids, which is exactly what we got.

In other words, creating a vastly larger problem out of a minor one, which again, is EXACTLY what Bush has accomplished.

Quote by: Apeman Saddam earned the attention given him. His maniacal ego would not spare his people the pain of war. But he never had cared for his people.

Again, so what? I' reminded of Br'er Rabbit, arrogantly thinking we can punch out the Tar Baby for not showing proper respect.

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