June 19, 2008
Seventy-percent of Americans think the Iraq war is a mistake. Yet as misbegotten as the war is, we keep the tragedy going. The rationale for the war has been a marvel of evolution. It was first about weapons of mass destruction; then it was about regime change. Next it was about "spreading democracy," followed by an argument that we cannot afford to lose the war.
Against those who had nothing to do with the attack of the United States on 9/11, the Pentagon's billions are not only useless, they are counterproductive, since they provide the circular, self-justifying logic for an occupation of a country that wants us out of there.
Our leaders continue to ignore the 2006 election mandate to get out of Iraq and perpetuate a war that only creates more enemies and kills more people for what could be for nothing but private interests. "Because we have been there, we must continue to be there" is so nuts that I believe the real reason must be about oil.
Any proposal that Congress withhold consent and stop this unjustified and unjustifiable war is met only with more circular thinking. It has now come down to staying the course because of the troops.
Circularity is a refuge for the timid and the hypocritical who use the troops as the final justification for staying in Iraq. Congress and the generals can make sure the troops are safe - even if the only safety to be found is in getting them the devil out of there.
Ann Ruddy,
Fort Collins