What Every American Should Know About Iraq

[babylonsister]

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/8128

What Every American Should Know About Iraq
by David Michael Green | Jun 15 2007


Some people think that anyone who disagrees with the American invasion and occupation of Iraq is either a bleeding-heart liberal appeaser, a George W. Bush hater, a blame America firster, an underminer of the troops, a traitor, or a geopolitical naif.

To those who see opponents of the war as fitting into one, several, or all of these categories, I say read this page. I will make no arguments herein, nor even commentary. I will twist no data nor spin any tales. I will even include some of the comments and arguments made by the administration and its supporters.

Instead of arguing against the war, I will try to offer a fairly complete account of the relevant facts one might wish to consider when evaluating America's policy in Iraq. Especially for those who continually claim that they, more than others, have the best interests of the troops at heart - but actually for all citizens in a democracy - it is incumbent upon us to educate ourselves about this most important of national policies.

Those troops are being maimed and are dying on our behalf every day. The very least we can do is spend a brief amount of our time learning about this question so that we can decide whether their continued sacrifices are justified.

So, in that spirit - and as the Founders themselves said - "let Facts be submitted to a candid world".

big snip, worth reading//

Today, Americans will have to decide for themselves whether George Bush's invasion of Iraq to protect the United States from the threat of terrorism was legitimate, or yet another example of a president sporting like a king, at the expense of the American people, the troops, the Iraqis, and the world.

Personally, I think the evidence above does exactly what I had intended it would do in assembling it for this article. On the question of the motivation and justification for George Bush's invasion of Iraq, it speaks for itself.
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About author David Michael Green is a professor of political science at Hofstra University in New York. He is delighted to receive readers' reactions to his articles ([e-mail]), but regrets that time constraints do not always allow him to respond. More of his work can be found at his website, www.regressiveantidote.net.
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[krispos42]

1. Wow, a truly excellent summary of the entire debacle

Kick and recommend. I would also suggest cc it over to GD or GD: P

[ninkasi]

2. K&R

Thanks for posting, Babylonsister.

[DavidDvorkin]

3. On our behalf?

Not at all. Very unfortunate choice of words.

[lyonn]

4. David Green set-out the track of Iraq and how G.W. got where he is

If more people could/would read his article it would make things so much clearer. If our investigative congress people would set G.W., Condi, Rummy and Cheney down and make them deny what Green's article claims that would be .....can't find the right words, best might be totally fascinating. To hear those four talk Around each question would be telling.

[Make7]

5. A very good overview.

Regarding the history of the American involvement in Iraq, the PBS program Frontline has done some excellent reporting for many years. For anyone interested in more information concerning the history of Saddam's rise to power, the weapons inspections in the 90's, and the run-up to the invasion in 2003; I would recommend the following episodes:

   the survival of saddam
   SPYING ON SADDAM
   GUNNING FOR SADDAM

Unfortunately those three are not available for on-line viewing, although transcripts are available on their respective websites. The more recent Frontline episodes can be viewed on-line. Here is a page that lists many of the episodes reporting on Iraq:

   http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/saddam/

---

This compilation of facts by David Michael Green is well done, however I think he may have fallen a little short of the following pronouncement: "I will twist no data nor spin any tales."

There are not many things as stated that I would outright disagree with, but his writing certainly has a discernible viewpoint. Having a viewpoint is definitely not incompatible with accurate reporting, but making pronouncements that imply a lack of bias should be followed with something that strives for more objectivity. The only reason I bring this up is because the author seems to have written this to be convincing to people with an opposing point of view - any hint of bias in the rest of the piece diminishes his chance of being truly convincing.

- Make7

[fooj]

6. kandr

[libodem]

7. That was looong

but worth it. Babylonsister, where do you find all this good stuff? You are an expert. I like stuff that backs up what I think anyway.

[ninkasi]

8. Kicking again

Babylonsister is a true jewel among DU members.