To the editor:
How soon we forget. Prominent Democrats also were convinced that Iraq had "weapons of mass destruction" years before George W. Bush became president.
In 1998, President Bill Clinton warned, "The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow."
In October that same year, Democratic senators requested action against Iraq in a letter presumably to President Bill Clinton. Signed by John Kerry, Tom Daschle, Joe Lieberman and others, it urged him, "after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq’s refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."
Nearly four years later, October, 2002, Sen. Hillary Clinton expressed legitimate concerns regarding Saddam Hussein, "He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, …. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well affects American security." Lastly, I quote John F. Kerry as saying that same month, "I will be voting to give the president of the United States the authority to use force if necessary to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." Is it fair and accurate to now totally blame President Bush for the invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of the "Butcher of Baghdad," Saddam Hussein? Our option was to wait until Saddam unleashed WMDs on our country or supplied them to terrorists who would. President Bush and the members of Congress (both Democrats and Republicans) who after 12 long, patient years had the foresight, wisdom and courage to say "Enough is enough!" should be thanked, not "waffle," be ashamed or demonized. Come on, Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, regardless of political party affiliation, let’s get together, support our president, see this matter on to complete victory, and bring our military home. Let’s not lengthen it by giving "aid and comfort" to America’s and Iraq’s enemies by our divisiveness and bickering. Korea and Vietnam have taught us that divisiveness brings stalemate or defeat. It’s not President Bush’s personal "war," it’s ours. In decades to come will his present critics give him all the credit if he and Congress were right? This election is about national integrity and survival. Hopes for world peace are dashed if we surrender our position and reputation as a freedom loving, powerful nation that has the courage to do what’s necessary to protect itself and champion freedom elsewhere.
Miles Bennett
Monroe
