The truth is non-partisan

I was against an invasion of Iraq before it occurred. (This is one reason I see John Kerry lacking in judgment. He voted with all but five U.S. Senators for giving President Bush the power to invade Iraq as a last resort.) I sensed that an invasion over the longterm would lead to disaster. Part of my reasoning was based on other countries' hesitancy to support the U.S. and also a belief that negotiation and further inspections were needed. I also felt that Iraq was not a real danger to the U.S. I believe a policy of pre-emption is contrary to my own personal and religious beliefs of defending one's country only if attacked. Iraq did not attack us. It was Al Quida terrorists.

We can see now the seeds of disaster in Iraq. The Shiite majority would like nothing better than to form a fundamentalist Islamic nation like in Iran. In that case Sunnis and Kurds would be the oppressed. No wonder the Sunnis are fighting the American occupational forces. No wonder they do not want an election. Life in an Iran-style theocracy would be genocidal. As Americans we assume that all peace-loving peoples would want democracy. Most just want to live without fear and want enough food to feed themselves.

The United States has created a mess in Iraq which only will get worse. We need to get out of Iraq as fast as possible. Support our troops by bringing them home. Save our own troops lives and let the Iraqis solve their own internal problems. If we stay thousands, even ten of thousands will die. If we leave, thousands, even tens of thousands will die. Ultimately whether we stay or leave, the result will be the same. Peace will come only after a long drawn out war. And the nation will be partitioned into at least three sectors - Sunni, Shiite and Kurd. This is Bush's legacy for Iraq.

I am concerned that the absolute sense of infallibility many people witness existing in George W. Bush will lead to greater disasters in a second Bush administration. See this quote from Ron Suskind as well as read his complete column publiished in the New York Times.

"The disdainful smirks and grimaces that many viewers were surprised to see in the first presidential debate are familiar expressions to those in the administration or in Congress who have simply asked the president to explain his positions. Since 9/11, those requests have grown scarce; Bush's intolerance of doubters has, if anything, increased, and few dare to question him now. A writ of infallibility - a premise beneath the powerful Bushian certainty that has, in many ways, moved mountains - is not just for public consumption: it has guided the inner life of the White House."

Quote from Ron Suskind. (2004, October 17). "Without a Doubt." The New York Times. Retrieved October 27, 2004 from http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/printer_101704A.shtml

The Senate version of the 9/11 legislation bill S. 2845 passed on October 6 by an overwhelming 96-2 vote. The House version passed two days later with a vote of 282 to 134. S. 2845 provides that the U.S. Secretaries of Transportation and Homeland Security establish “standards for driver's licenses or personal identification cards.” Each state would be required to certify that it is in compliance with these mandates. The House bill, H.R. 10, contains similar requirements, also requiring the linking of State DMV databases into a national database. In addition, both the Senate and House bills call for national identification documents employing biometric technology, such as fingerprints and iris scans. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) opposes the measure, warning: “Nationalizing standards for drivers’ licenses and birth certificates, and linking them together via a national database, creates a national ID system pure and simple. Proponents of the national ID understand that the public remains wary of the scheme, so they attempt to claim they’re merely creating new standards for existing state IDs. Nonsense! This legislation imposes federal standards in a federal bill, and it creates a federal ID regardless of whether the ID itself is still stamped with the name of your state. It’s just a matter of time until those who refuse to carry the new licenses will be denied the ability to drive or board an airplane. Domestic travel restrictions are the hallmark of authoritarian states, not free republics.”

William F. Jasper. (2004, October 22).9/11 Legislation: Making Matters Worse. The New American. Retrieved October 26, 2004 from http://www.jbs.org/visitor/congress/911legislation.htm