More Bush

So, then.

George W. Bush begins his new term round about now. I guess I am resigned to the inevitability of this now, although at one point I was very angry. His pledge to bring freedom to as much of the world as possible carries with it a chill which worries me considerably. I can't help but wonder exactly how free the terror-gripped nation of Iraq feels today.

During the run up to the war in Iraq, we were told of the convincing evidence of weapons of mass destruction. It has since transpired that there were no so called “WMD” in Iraq at that time. The nation of Iraq did not represent any kind of military threat to the west whatsoever. For his own reasons, Mr. Bush decided to attack Iraq and overthrow its tyrant leader.

Loyal Mr. Blair felt he had to offer support, or risk a major rift with Britain's traditional friend. So, we found ourselves at war - and throwing the first punch. It was never going to be pretty, and we find ourselves still facing the ugliness of conflict even now. Reports of suicide bombs and killings in Iraq are a daily fact of life for us these days.

When Mr. Blair and Mr. Bush are cornered on these issues, they say that whilst WMD were not found, they will never apologise for removing an evil tyrant from the world.

This is the truly scary part, for me.

What that amounts to, in my view, is saying that what happened may have been wrong and would normally be unjustifiable, but that the end justifies the means.

Isn't that what terrorists say?

I wonder if any of us can truly be comfortable with what has happened at the hands of our own government and in the name of democracy.

Does it bother you?

Comments

[Liz]

I too find it scary. Bush states that tyrannical systems are not good, that countries need democracy.He himself is not prepared to submit to democracy when it is in opposition to the views he holds, hence the war in Iraq. In other words, the only peace and political systems that are acceptable, are those condoned by Bush. To me it smacks of setting himself up as the world tyrant.

[tom]

President Bush bothers me tremendously. If prompted I would talk at length about how he's rolling back progress not only in international relations, but also domestically in civil liberties, separation of church and state, and various other areas.

He's in my opinion unfit to lead the U.S.

[Peter]

You're scared? I'm terrified.

Tom, I agree with you. And I live in the US of A.

Yes, I voted. No, I didn't vote for the shrub. I try to rationalize my terror by telling myself "it's only another four years." I hope we all can last that long.