Bush tried to convince us of his angst over sending troops to war in Iraq

[flpoljunkie]

But we have not forgotten what he said in March, 2002..."Fuck Saddam, we're taking him out!"

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/03/24/timep.saddam.tm/

First Stop, Iraq

By Michael Elliott and James Carney

How did the U.S. end up taking on Saddam? The inside story of how Iraq jumped to the top of Bush's agenda --and why the outcome there may foreshadow a different world order

"F___ Saddam. we're taking him out." Those were the words of President George W. Bush, who had poked his head into the office of National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.

It was March 2002, and Rice was meeting with three U.S. Senators, discussing how to deal with Iraq through the United Nations, or perhaps in a coalition with America's Middle East allies. Bush wasn't interested. He waved his hand dismissively, recalls a participant, and neatly summed up his Iraq policy in that short phrase.

The Senators laughed uncomfortably; Rice flashed a knowing smile. The President left the room. A year later, Bush's outburst has been translated into action, as cruise missiles and smart bombs slam into Baghdad.

But the apparent simplicity of his message belies the gravity at hand. Sure, the outcome is certain: America will win the war, and Saddam will be taken out. But what is unfolding in Iraq is far bigger than regime change or even the elimination of dangerous weapons.

The U.S. has launched a war unlike any it has fought in the past. This one is being waged not to defend against an enemy that has attacked the U.S. or its interests but to pre-empt the possibility that one day it might do so. The war has turned much of the world against America. Even in countries that have joined the "coalition of the willing," big majorities view it as the impetuous action of a superpower led by a bully. This divide threatens to emasculate a United Nations that failed to channel a diplomatic settlement or brand the war as legitimate.

more...

[Ruffhowse]

1. There never was a man so eager to go to war in the history of this country

[gottaB]

2. Hell, he contradicted himself right there in the speech

He said it was a tough decision, and then he said that the choice was between taking the word of a madman vs. defending America.

Well, it can't be both. Either it's a tough decision, or it's an easy decision. Choosing between taking the word of a madman and defending the country clearly represents the latter.

One gets the impression that in Bush*s view every tough decision eventually becomes easy.

[liberalmuse]

3. Saying Bush has 'angst' about anything...

is like saying Brittney Spears has 'genius'. Bush didn't think twice about this war, just like he didn't think twice about executing 151 people while Governor of Texas. Anyone who could drop mega-ton bombs on civilians like he did is nothing less than a monster. It's like having Ted fucking Bundy as President.

[flpoljunkie]

4. Only a complicit media would forget, "Fuck Saddam,We're taking him out."

The media has aided and abetted this criminially corrupt and incompetent administration, and we must call them to account just as we will call the Bush/Cheney regime to account on November 2nd!

[Spirochete]

5. He pumped his arm

and said "I feel good!" Looks like he was awfully conflicted, all right. John Kerry - please rid us of this man!