Walter Cronkite: "The Invasion of Iraq Was ILLEGAL From the Start-Our Troops Must Leave"

[kpete]

Our Troops Must Leave Iraq
By Walter Cronkite and David Krieger
CommonDreams.org

Tuesday 04 December 2007

The American people no longer support the war in Iraq. The war is being carried on by a stubborn president who, like Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon during the Vietnam War, does not want to lose. But from the beginning this has been an ill-considered and poorly prosecuted war that, like the Vietnam War, has diminished respect for America. We believe Mr. Bush would like to drag the war on long enough to hand it off to another president.

..................

The invasion of Iraq was illegal from the start. Not only was Congress lied to in order to secure its support for the invasion of Iraq, but the war lacked the support of the United Nations Security Council and thus was an aggressive war initiated on the false pretenses of weapons of mass destruction. There were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Nor has any assertion of a relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda proven to be true. In the end, democracy has not come to Iraq. Its government is still being forced to bend to the will of the US administration.

What the war has accomplished is the undermining of US credibility throughout the world, the weakening of our military forces, and the erosion of our Bill of Rights. Nobel Laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz calculates that the war is costing American tax payers more than $1 trillion. This amount could double if we continue the war. Each minute we are spending $500,000 in Iraq. Our losses are incalculable. It is time to remove our military forces from Iraq.

We must ask ourselves whether continuing to pursue this war is benefiting the American people or weakening us. We must ask whether continuing the war is benefiting the Iraqi people or inflicting greater suffering upon them. We believe the answer to these inquiries is that both the American and Iraqi people would benefit by ending the US military presence in Iraq.

more at:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/04/5598/
--------

Walter Cronkite is the former long-time anchor for CBS Evening News. David Krieger is President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/04/5598/

[TwilightGardener]

1. Thank you, Walter!

[SaveOurDemocracy]

2. 'The Most Trusted Man in America' has spoken ...

Thank you Walter. :applause:

[snappyturtle]

3. Walter Cronkite's voice can't be put off by repukes like so many

have been.

[awoke_in_2003]

43. you must not know enough repukes.

I know some that believe it was Walter's fault we lost Viet Nam. They claim when he said the war was unwinnable, the Americans lost their will to continue, when, in reality, that had already occured. He just stated the obvious.

[NNN0LHI]

4. Sounds as though Mr. Cronkite knows there is going to be hell to pay over this atrocity

Smart money is on Cronkites judgment.

Don

[pretzel4gore]

32. the gears of justice turn slowly, but they never stop turning

such an obvious atrocity as the 'war' against the people of Iraq, using the people of America's money to do so, whether for oil or just to fill the pigmedia with news so noone notice the NORC results (which prove bush is unelected) which earlier had been delayed by 911...how bush can escape jail is to be seen...
i've never hated a public figure as much as bush...even hitler (or stalin, or Mao) at least could point to their country's traumas for their insanity- bush inherited as good a national situation as possible

[sakabatou]

5. I agree

And so does most of the world and my fave candidate.

[FREEWILL56]

39. Seconded with a K&R

[flordehinojos]

6. old poppy bush has recently been giving interview to softballers and bush ass kissers like chris

wallace and tony freemantle. i would love to see walter cronkite interview the-bush-happy-as-a-lark-parachuter who gets to parachute at age 80, show that old farts don't have to sit around, does it for the thrill of it, and does it all with stolen money from us!

[OzarkDem]

7. What will today's "journalists" say?

Do they still even care about what respected, professional journalists of the "old school" have to say?

Will Democrats in Congress listen to him?

[Cha]

17. I was just wondering

if the stenos and mediawhores of our current pack of lazy pressluts ever felt shame for what they've been perpetrating?

I would say, "no"..because the power rove promised them trumps conscience to people like blitzer, crowley, couric, ..the list is endless.

Thank the Universe for Keith Olbermann who came into the perfect storm at msnbc to be who he is.

[Whisp]

58. just cut out the gender thing and I could agree with you.

why is everything ugly associated with gender specific words?
sluts, whores.
examine your dialogue. You really don't need that to get your point across. but you piss me off when you are lazy like that. Do you have female family, friends, etc., ? what would they think that their sexuality, gonads, is the absolute ugliest adjective you can come up with?

[Duncan]

79. gender specific?

In this context,whore and slut mean somebody who kisses ass, or gets fucked, or demeans themselves, for money or favor.
It does not mean female or male. I hear males called "whore", "slut" and "bitch" all the time.
I get your point, but I think the meaning of the words has been losing its gender specificity over the last 20 years or so. I don't think people who use those terms when describing the press are increasing male chauvinist attitudes, in fact, I think they are removing the chauvanist teeth from those terms and replacing them with gender neutral teeth.

I do agree that saying so and so "has balls" is a gender lie, since balls have nothing to do with bravery, but media whores do have everything to do with selling themselves.

[nachoproblem]

70. Good question.

I never would have expected Dan Rather to get marginalized. My grandmother, a rock-ribbed ultra conservative, used to hang on his every word in the 80's. And look what happened to him.

But with Walter it probably won't even come to that, if nobody of this generation remembers or cares about his credibility. I only do in a secondhand way myself.

[bobbolink]

8. The "American People" no longer support the war because we're losing, and losing $$$.

It has nothing to do with it being illegal.

THAT we don't seem to give a rip about.

[PurpleChez]

22. that's WAY off base!

Millions of us opposed the war from the start because it was WRONG, morally and legally. We opposed the war long before the losses began to pile up.

[Carolina]

59. you're both right

Many of us here at DU and across the land opposed the war from the start because IT WAS WRONG in every way (a reason I have a hard time supporting any Dem candidate who voted yea on IWR back in October 2002). That was why Kucinich's Prayer for America speech before the California State Democratic Party resonated so broadly and launched his 2004 presidential bid.

But the other poster is right as well. Many NEW/recent opponents to this awful war are so inclined because of the loss of American lives and the impact on the American treasury.

[magellan]

33. I'm afraid you're right

The majority of Americans are just tired of this mismanaged fiasco and its financial drain. But if asked they'd say Bush** was right to invade...they don't know or care about the lies that got us there. They don't even know the bombing of Iraq started in 2002.

[boricua79]

75. agreed.

the american people was solidly behind this war at the beginning. They just wanted it on the cheap, and in their ignorance, they thought they could have it on the cheap. they called us cautious voices "cowards" or other such names.

Now we can ssay, "we told you so", and now they retreat to their homes, with their tails between the legs, knowing full well they were wrong.

But, at what cost did their arrogance end?

The American people have never been above allowing their government to do illegal things...it's only when they're forced to put their snout to the crap they've laid that they recoil (just like a dog).

God, how I wish there was some foreign Eisenhower that would force the American people to walk by OUR concentration camps or the destruction in Iraq. How I wish we WERE FORCED to see what we have wrought. Maybe it would teach us the humility and shame that the Germans have exhibited after World War II.

[bobbolink]

77. The cost has been huge, but I don't think their arrogance has "ended".

As you point out, where is the outrage about illegal things the government is doing? Just a big, collective yawn. Doing illegal things and hurting others is fine, as long as we don't get caught. As long as we aren't painted as "losers". Since we're "Number 1", it's OK whatever we do, because "America is the best."

"God, how I wish there was some foreign Eisenhower that would force the American people to walk by OUR concentration camps or the destruction in Iraq. How I wish we WERE FORCED to see what we have wrought. Maybe it would teach us the humility and shame that the Germans have exhibited after World War II."

VERY well put! Our noses need to be rubbed in it!

You have said what needs to be said, over and over! :thumbsup:

[boricua79]

83. thanks!

:hug:

[Ishoutandscream2]

9. We need Walter back

I know he's in his 90's, but God do we need a decent television journalist out there (besides Olbermann).

[bpeale]

73. and Helen Thomas

[HCE SuiGeneris]

10. Illegal -- Pelosi? Reid? Can you get that through your skull?

Enablers. :mad:

[ellenfl]

11. we need walter to say this on tv . . . repeatedly. eom

[EVDebs]

12. If S. 1959 passes, as HR 1955 already has, Walter could be locked up

for his 'thought crimes' against the administration.

[kestrel91316]

16. Hmph. I'd like to see them try. He's one person who is UNTOUCHABLE.

They'd have a huge mob tearing down the prison walls.

[FREEWILL56]

41. Not if you don't hear about it and the msm is notorious for not reporting

the real news or news that is of importance.

[kestrel91316]

47. If Cronkite up and disappeared, believe you me, it would get noticed PDQ.

[awoke_in_2003]

46. More likely, he would have one of those "heart attacks"...

the same ones the Soviet leaders used to have when the party got tired of them.

[Cha]

13. We're so fortunate in this

day of mediawhores that Walter Cronkite is still with us and using his voice to state just the facts.

Thank you, Mr Cronkite! :loveya:

[DavidDvorkin]

14. Uh oh. "If we've lost Walter Cronkite ... "

[Geoff R. Casavant]

20. Sigh. Remember the days when that saying still was true?

These days, though, losing Cronkite means nothing -- those who haven't seen the light by now will gladly keep themselves in the dark.

[DavidDvorkin]

26. LBJ should've just had his rich friends buy the network

And replace Cronkite with someone deferential. He wasn't thinking ahead.

[kestrel91316]

15. I STILL love "Uncle Walter".

[LuckyLib]

18. And when (if) we leave, all that remains is the smoking rubble of a

nation that was one of the most developed in the Middle East in terms of an educated populace. Iran is next. I'm waiting for Walter to be interviewed by MSM, to get a perspective from someone who has known from World War II through Vietnam. . . . crickets . . . .

[NoFederales]

19. Now, Walter Cronkite IS the Big Dawg, not that ...other.... person. nt

NoFederales

[PurpleChez]

21. Thank you, Mr. Cronkite!!!

Whether or not the Chimptard's Manly Surge is "working", the fact remains that we shouldn't be there at all, and never should have been.

[OwnedByFerrets]

23. Throw him in Q-Bay for Thought Crimes...

wtg.....A great american has spoken.

[Blue_In_AK]

24. Thank you, Walter Cronkite...

Always the voice of truth.

[greyghost]

25. I had the pleasure and honor...

of meeting Mr. Cronkite several years ago during the Kennedy Center Honors. That fond memory just grew even fonder.

[HereSince1628]

27. Great, too bad his comments became an old-guy's asides about 25 years ago.

I doubt if even the most famous living broadcaster of the Greatest Generation is really the key to resolving this.

[Disturbed]

28. Busholini is like the monkey with it's hand stuck in the jar.

The fruit cannot be taken out while the hand is clutched on it, yet the monkey will not
let go.

[Auggie]

30. Yeah. Great. And four years too late.

[malaise]

60. Bingo

but better late than never.

[katty]

29. Thanks, Walt!!

[Canuckistanian]

31. 'Well, if we've lost Cronkite...."

"...we've lost middle America."

Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States

[The River]

34. I Miss Walter

The "news" has gone down hill since he retired.

It just goes to show how bizzaro things really are when
when the 2 most reliable "news" sources today are
on Comedy Central.

[ms liberty]

35. And that's the way it is...K&R n/t

[muntrv]

36. Walter, I miss you!!!!

[Trucker Bob]

37. You've been missed!

Walter Cronkite is one of the few people in his profession that I ever had any respect for, and I thank him for this.:applause:

[Postman]

38. A voice from the "Greatest Generation" speaks the truth. Thank you Mr Cronkite.

Dan Rather was a joke.

If Walter had been around, there may have been questions raised about the truthfulness of this administration.

[killbotfactory]

40. Bwahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Liberal In Texas]

42. I miss the Great Walter too. Unfortunately today, he probably couldn't even get a job as a reporter

much less a network anchor.

[Tom Joad]

44. tell that to the pigs who run congress. they are committed to stay there for years

[Postman]

45. Paragraph #6 is an argument for a war crimes tribunal.

eom

[jwirr]

48. Walter Cronkite is the ideal of what a newsman should be all about.

He was then and he is now. He was the KO of the 1960-70s.

[AwakeAtLast]

49. A hearty K & R from me!

Now we will suddenly hear from other reporters who will say something like "I have always thought the same thing he said." So irritating, but you know it's gonna happen.

Thanks for speaking up, Mr. Cronkite!!! :applause:

:kick:

[L. Coyote]

85. ditto

[whistle]

50. The bombing and invasion of Iran will also be illegal, but Bush and Cheney

...will do it anyway unless they are fully exposed on their lies and impeached now! Iran is opting for Petrol-Euros and dropping the use of Pietro-Dollars. That Will force the other OPEC countries including Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to jump on that Euro band wagon as well and then our economy and monetary system will go right into the toilet. Bush is hoping to delay that from happening until after he leaves office in January 2009 leaving the next President holding the smelling sack of putrid hyper-inflated paper that once was the U.S. dollar.

[bdamomma]

65. very true that is one of many (Euro) reasons why they have to get rid

of Saddam.

[tbyg52]

51. Oh. My. God.

The Uncle Walter moment strikes again? Oh please let it be so! Save us, Uncle Walter; you're our only hope! (Not really, there are lots of people saying this, but let us hope he will be heard!)

This is not exactly the moment I usually turn on the computer. But I am so glad I did. Get us out of this Bush/corporate/neocon quagmire and let us be the greatest country ever again.

We are the greatest country ever because we learn from the past, however reluctantly, and we question ourselves, which means we question authority.

OMG. I have not read the OP completely, much less the replies. Hope I am not going off half cocked. But I can't help it, I am so hopeful!

[Diamond Dave]

52. ruh - roh, rorge--- this is not good. We love Walter C. Thank God he still

is with us.

Shout this loud from every hilltop - every cell phone tower, send it round the world!

"The invasion of Iraq was illegal from the start."

"We believe the answer to these inquiries is that both the American and Iraqi people would benefit by ending the US military presence in Iraq."

Can we finally bring the BFEE to their knees, can we finally send them to prison or do we need to wait another 50 years or so until Jenna and junior one of them are "in charge"? Can we finally put in prison all the "Iran/Contra" criminals? Is it just too damned much to hope for???

[obiwan]

53. Fucking A right, Walter!

[TacticalPeek]

54. Roger that, Walter.

:patriot:

[defendandprotect]

55. This is all obvious, but evidently people need to hear it from WALTER === !!!!

Some people just won't believe anything until they see it on TV --- !!!

[HughMoran]

56. Old school, and still telling like it is

Where have all the Walter Cronkites gone...?

[argyl]

57. CBS News. From Walter Cronkite to Katie "Navy Seals Rock" Couric.

Of course, that is the equivalent drop in all MSM respectability and integrity over the last 30 to 35 years.

[happygoluckytoyou]

61. "ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS, WE PRINT"

sad to say but the bloggers of the world, we are pissing in the wind...

TO ACTUALLY MAKE A CHANGE... DON'T FORGET TO GET AT LEAST ONE PERSON REGISTERED...
IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES... HELP E A R L Y TO GET THEM ID CARDS, OR REGISTER TO VOTE BY MAIL

IT IS NOT DIFFICULT AND FOR A FEW DIMES YOU CAN SKIP STANDING IN LINE, WAITING FOR SOME F(*&^ VOTING MACHINE TO MISCOUNT YOUR VOTE


V O T E B Y M A I L ----- E A S Y T O D O

what i have done is this..... get 100 vote-by-mail registration forms..... hand them out at the local "whereever poor and minority people" gather......

GRASSROOTS ?? ? ?? ? ?
THIS IS THE EFFORT TO CHANGE THINGS IN 2008

[namvet73]

62. To our Journalistic Giant, Walter Cronkite, THANKS!! -n/t-

[pberq]

63. Kick & Nominated

Walter Cronkite - national treasure

[bdamomma]

64. You can't find journalists who speak like that anymore

how sorry of a society we have become.

[H2O Man]

66. Right.

They aren't found in the corporate media.

[librechik]

67. Someone should send this essay to Jim Lehrer.

His icy objectivity is starting to look a little like collaboration.

[bdamomma]

68. I like Bill Moyers.

[Triana]

69. Oh how I miss Walter Cronkite!

He was truely one of the best newsmen of our time. Lots of admiration for his man.

[helderheid]

71. rec 100!

[redqueen]

72. And the leading candidates' take on this is what?

*crickets*, I expect.

[bobbolink]

86. Edwards has said that one of his first tasks will be to take on the corporate media.

Not that it gets heard in the media..

Oh, wait.

:evilgrin:

[boricua79]

74. Thank you...but...

I wish you would have spoken out earlier. The conformity of opinion at the beginning of the war is what allowed the American populace to become drunk with its own arrogance and ignorance, and it's that that led to the war.

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[spanone]

78. and now we have katie couric......

r

[Quixote1818]

80. And that's the way it is! nt

[Supersedeas]

81. even Richard Pearle agrees

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

82. Uncle Walter is great!

And he speaks the truth! Now if only America will listen!

[Hubert Flottz]

84. God...how I miss the plain old truth.

[MilesColtrane]

87. Ya gots to love Walter "The Lion In Winter" Cronkite. n/t