We need a candidate with wisdom
Congratulations to Lincoln D. Chafee for his co-ed contribution to New York Times on March 1st. A very interesting and revealing article about an event which will, unfortunately, penalize us for generations to come.
As we mentioned a few times in previous articles, we are realizing how our Senate and Congress have missed the boat in protecting our image abroad, and defending our interests in the Real World. The goodwill we have built since WW2 is now gone forever, and our children will pay a heavy price.
According to Mr. Chafee, there was a third alternative to Senators in October 2002. Senator James Jeffords, Vermont, was right by talking about the extreme importance of that vote.
Only 24 Senators voted for the Amendment proposed by Carl Levin, Michigan, (no rush to war, and no “go it alone"), especially without the Arab States.
As explained by Mr. Chafee, the other 75 Senators simply ignored the possible negative consequences to our friendly nations in the region, including Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey. They also ignored the warning of King Abdullah of Jordan that a miscalculation in Iraq would throw the whole area into turmoil.
Mr. Chafee forgot to mention a major important factor: our closest allies, Canada, France, Germany, (the Old Europe according to an incompetent and irresponsible ex-Secretary) also warned us against an invasion of Iraq. Of course, we did not listen.
It happens that Canada, France, Germany, and others were smarter than us, wiser than us. We must admit that they can not afford to waste $700 billion, create more enemies, kill half a million people, and force the evacuation of a million more.
We fully agree with Mr. Chafee that Senators who voted against the Levin Amendment should be accountable, and remembered by those who will write our future history.
Not only we lost the war, but we lost our credibility, and prestige with the rest of the world. We are no more a social factor, and economic force in Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Other nations will not trust us as a deal maker or honest peace broker.
According to Mr. Chafee, there was a third alternative to Senators in October 2002. Senator James Jeffords, Vermont, was right by talking about the extreme importance of that vote.
Only 24 Senators voted for the Amendment proposed by Carl Levin, Michigan, (no rush to war, and no “go it alone"), especially without the Arab States.
As explained by Mr. Chafee, the other 75 Senators simply ignored the possible negative consequences to our friendly nations in the region, including Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey. They also ignored the warning of King Abdullah of Jordan that a miscalculation in Iraq would throw the whole area into turmoil.
Mr. Chafee forgot to mention a major important factor: our closest allies, Canada, France, Germany, (the Old Europe according to an incompetent and irresponsible ex-Secretary) also warned us against an invasion of Iraq. Of course, we did not listen.
It happens that Canada, France, Germany, and others were smarter than us, wiser than us. We must admit that they can not afford to waste $700 billion, create more enemies, kill half a million people, and force the evacuation of a million more.
We fully agree with Mr. Chafee that Senators who voted against the Levin Amendment should be accountable, and remembered by those who will write our future history.
Not only we lost the war, but we lost our credibility, and prestige with the rest of the world. We are no more a social factor, and economic force in Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Other nations will not trust us as a deal maker or honest peace broker.
Those Senators who can not admit their mistakes are no better than the present White House Staff. The few who recognize their poor judgment, have a lot to do for convincing us that they are wiser, and less ignorant about the world.
The world has changed, and is getting stronger. We are weaker, and will not be welcomed as before. We need a President who has enough wisdom to understand that, and be able to re-establish a willing, long lasting relationship with strategic countries.
Ignorance, insults, intimidations and arrogance will not do it. "Sorry, Cheney-Bolton and Co. You did enough damage already". It will take a generation, or more, to recover, if we ever succeed to. The whole White House staff should also be held accountable.
Anyone in the Congress with enough guts and stomach to initiate a required public hearing?
The Facilitator
posted by The Facilitator @ 9:18 AM
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