Lack of Preparedness and Planning Leads to Deteriorating Situation in Iraq
My personal opposition to the war in Iraq began in earnest when the Baghdad Museum was being looted without abandon in the spring of 2003. I never approved of the war. The administration made a poor case for pre-emptive action against Saddam Hussein, and the premises upon which the decision to go to war was made were questionable from the start. Of course, as we all witnessed, the rationale for the war evolved as the administration's case for invasion evaporated with the failure to locate any weapons of mass destruction
What was worse than the case to go to war was the lack of planning for the subsequent occupation and the seemingly complete disregard of Iraqi as well as Middle Eastern history and culture. The consequences of the United States' miscalculations are becoming more and more evident as we approach a self-imposed deadline for elections on January 30, 2005 that appear at this moment to be both unrealistic and untenable. The inability to establish the rule of law in Iraq will surely result in elections that will be widely viewed by Iraqis and the world as questionable, perhaps even illegitimate. This is not an outcome that we can afford.
Yet the U.S. has been unable to afford this war---in the face of real terrorist threats---from the outset. And we have been unable to afford the war in financial, political, and ethical terms. That American troops have been sent into harms way without adequate forces and without necessary equipment is a travesty of logistics and policy whose human costs are immeasurable. The thought of U.S. troops scavenging through garbage to try to find materials required for their protection is unjust.
During the presidential election the American media swallowed hook, bait, and anchor the Republican charge that Senator John F. Kerry flip-flopped on the initial $87 billion package to provide the troops with requisitions and equipment. Apparently, even if he had voted for that bill, our brave troops would not---as they do not---have the necessary armor to protect themselves in battle. Who's waffling here?
And while some Americans are quick to run out and slap magnetic yellow ribbons on their cars (yellow ribbons, historically, were a symbol welcoming prisoners home by the way), how willing would those same Americans who make $100, 000 or more per year be to accept a tax increase to provide the troops with the armor they need?
The situation in Iraq is deteriorating and the inability of the United States to restore order, provide security, and prevail in the war of ideas will lead to further violence and less security. Americans are no safer for the invasion of Iraq---as the recent bombing in Saudi Arabia indicates---and the collateral damage---plummeting credibility and negative world opinion---only frustrates our efforts to protect the United States and diverts resources from the real war on terrorism.
What was worse than the case to go to war was the lack of planning for the subsequent occupation and the seemingly complete disregard of Iraqi as well as Middle Eastern history and culture. The consequences of the United States' miscalculations are becoming more and more evident as we approach a self-imposed deadline for elections on January 30, 2005 that appear at this moment to be both unrealistic and untenable. The inability to establish the rule of law in Iraq will surely result in elections that will be widely viewed by Iraqis and the world as questionable, perhaps even illegitimate. This is not an outcome that we can afford.
Yet the U.S. has been unable to afford this war---in the face of real terrorist threats---from the outset. And we have been unable to afford the war in financial, political, and ethical terms. That American troops have been sent into harms way without adequate forces and without necessary equipment is a travesty of logistics and policy whose human costs are immeasurable. The thought of U.S. troops scavenging through garbage to try to find materials required for their protection is unjust.
During the presidential election the American media swallowed hook, bait, and anchor the Republican charge that Senator John F. Kerry flip-flopped on the initial $87 billion package to provide the troops with requisitions and equipment. Apparently, even if he had voted for that bill, our brave troops would not---as they do not---have the necessary armor to protect themselves in battle. Who's waffling here?
And while some Americans are quick to run out and slap magnetic yellow ribbons on their cars (yellow ribbons, historically, were a symbol welcoming prisoners home by the way), how willing would those same Americans who make $100, 000 or more per year be to accept a tax increase to provide the troops with the armor they need?
The situation in Iraq is deteriorating and the inability of the United States to restore order, provide security, and prevail in the war of ideas will lead to further violence and less security. Americans are no safer for the invasion of Iraq---as the recent bombing in Saudi Arabia indicates---and the collateral damage---plummeting credibility and negative world opinion---only frustrates our efforts to protect the United States and diverts resources from the real war on terrorism.
posted by Constance Lavender at 7:37 PM
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