My View on Iraq

As I once said, Andrew Sullivan is one of my favorite commentators. He has an article for The Sunday Times that pretty much sums up my view of the Bush administration's bungling in Iraq. I am less certain about the initial rightness of the war but I am not uncertain at all about this: having decided to go to war, the only intelligent (and moral) course was to use every resource available. Instead the Bush White House decided that the war could be fought on the cheap, without its full attention. I believe the administration thought of it simply as another political problem, one susceptible to spin and obfuscation until the next election was over. Something like painting Kerry, the veteran of a real war, as a non-hero, and Bush, a veteran of nothing more serious than partying in New Orleans, as a jet-flying hero. If the immediate perception of the American public is what it is all about, no problem. But, "the enemy has a vote" as any real military man might have told them.

Under the circumstances, when Bush was willing to risk his personal credit, his place in the history books, the security of his nation, and the lives of millions, the decision to cheap out was pathological. This is especially true if you believe that the reasons for going after Saddam justified the war. The better Bush's reasons, the greater his failing.

Nota Bene! If the above link doesn't get you anything try Andrew Sullivan's link under Sunday, Jan 15 "Bremer's Bomb-shell".