Anti-War Protests, Round Two
By Jon Alvarez (07/15/03)
They're back! Actually, they never went anywhere, those annoying anti-war activists and their conspiracy theories. They have now begun a second wave in their assault on President Bush and the War on Terror. They and their cohorts in the liberal media have based their new round of attacks on the State of the Union Speech given by President Bush. According to these critics, they would have the American public believe that Operation Iraqi Freedom was based on a lie. One note of interest about this second wave assault that makes it different: The radical anti-war movement has garnered public support from the Democrats.
If you recall the events leading up to Operation Iraqi Freedom, mainstream Democrats did not dare oppose the war with Iraq simply for political reasons. They knew it would be vastly unpopular with the American public and they did not want to appear to be weak on defense. Democrats are now showing their true colors as they jump on the anti-war bandwagon in an attempt to ride it to political victory here at home.
All of this has nothing to do with Operation Iraqi Freedom and everything to do with the anti-Bush agenda of the liberal left. It is ridiculous to believe their claims that President Bush purposely lied to the American public by including a reference to British intel that may or not have been faulty. At this point, we aren't even sure if the intel is faulty as the British claim to stand by it and somehow the French are involved. President Bush, unlike the preceding president, has done nothing to make the American public believe that he would deceive us. Besides, the case for war with Iraq was not based on whether or not Saddam was trying to acquire nuclear material from Africa. Rather, it was based on the fact that he refused to comply with U.N. resolutions and at any time could provide terrorists with chemical or biological weapons. What proof has been given that he was not seeking to rebuild his nuclear program? Saddam Hussein gave the United States no option but to remove him from power. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Yet here we are, witnessing a new assault on President Bush as the anti-war left and the Democrats attempt to discredit President Bush and the war with Iraq. Despite the justifications for war, despite the good it has accomplished on several fronts, the enemies of President Bush would have the American public believe that it was all based on a so-called lie. They are willing to throw away our accomplishments, the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers, and tarnish our reputation around the world simply for the stated goal of defeating President Bush in the 2004 campaign. These Bush-haters will grasp at any straw if they feel it will help to destroy President Bush. Seems Saddam loyalists are not only still on the attack in Iraq, but here at home, too.
For some reason, these people don't understand the significance of their actions. We are in the midst of a war with terrorism and we need the support of the rest of the world if we are to defeat this evil that seeks our destruction. Yet the anti-war left and their supporters continue to portray our own president as the evil one. We read their signs and heard their rhetoric of hate during the initial round of protests. We are now seeing this again as they continue to attack and condemn President Bush. These same ''peace'' protesters are so filled with hatred for President Bush that they would rejoice at news of his assassination were that to ever occur. Don't believe me? Just visit some of the internet discussion forums like BillMaher.com or bartcop.com to name a few that are truly "out there". It continues to baffle me as to how such people can claim to be Americans and yet have such hatred for our very own president. Their hatred is reprehensible and their actions are irresponsible.
What's ironic is that throughout this conflict the left bristled at any anti-American labels that were placed on them. They claimed to support the troops, just not the president. The anti-war left claimed to be as patriotic as those on the right. Yet it may be appropriate to now call into question what they have done to show their support for the troops. Have they donated to any of the funds for the children of those killed in action? Did they send care packages to the troops? Have they joined in any welcome home ceremonies? Have any of the Hollywood activists joined the USO Tour? If one visits the USO.org website, you won't see Martin Sheen, Jeanine Garofalo, or Mike Farrell on the list of celebrities that have donated their time to visit the troops and show their support.
These humanitarians of the left and their allies in the Democratic Party hate President Bush so much that they would side with Saddam Hussein over him. On numerous occasions we heard their cries of outrage as they protested the war. Each time they were proven wrong as they sought to castigate our war effort. It wasn't a bloodbath as they predicted. We didn't get bogged down in a quagmire of fighting. The Iraqi National Museum wasn't actually looted. There was no recognition or thanks given for efforts to protect the oil wells, and thus, the environment. We've since discovered several links to Al Quada. We haven't found any WMD yet, but they were a part of Saddam's arsenal, and everyone is in agreement on that. We can also agree that Saddam Hussein was intent on obtaining nuclear weapons and would have used them if he were successful. It's time to move past this perpetual argument and focus on the mission at hand: rebuilding a democratic Iraq.
We are committed to rebuilding Iraq. It has not been easy, but when in history has war and the necessary rebuilding afterwards ever been? Despite the claims of the anti-war left that this was a war for oil and empire, we've proven otherwise. Just this week the Iraqi Governing Council will meet to begin working on taking over control of Iraq. This, coupled with the fact that American troops have begun handing over some control of policing the country to Iraqis, confirms the success of our operations. This is good news, unless you are a Saddam loyalist. The last thing they wish to see is a free Iraq; enjoying freedom, as all people should be able to enjoy. Sadly, it appears that the opposition groups here in America feel the same way.
''Isn't someone who opposes his own country less patriotic than someone who loves his country?'' - Ann Coulter.
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