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They tried to assassinate an American President, for one. They also gassed their own people and had a history of developing WMDs- that economic sanctions had sl
by colinplamondon 16y ago
They tried to assassinate an American President, for one. They also gassed their own people and had a history of developing WMDs- that economic sanctions had slowed that development didn't materially change the intent.
- hugh3 16y agoAnd don't forget that Saddam wasn't abiding by the conditions of the 1991 ceasefire, which ought to be an immediate justification for resuming fire, since that's how ceasefire agreements work. Lack of legalistic justification was never lacking for the Iraq war. Whether it was morally the right thing to do, or whether it was a worthwhile thing to do from a US-interests standpoint, are genuine questions. (Which I don't feel like discussing today.)
- vacri 16y agoAnd don't forget that the US' allies were all saying "Just wait a few months until the weapons inspections agenda is complete, then we'll all go in as planned and sanctioned by the UN". No, the US had to accelerate the timetable, replacing "worthless weapons inspections" with Powell's equally worthless poster project showing "structures".
- guelo 16y agoAfter 9/11? ah, these arguments are giving me fond memories of wanting to pull my hair out back in 2003.