The Iraqi Pissing Match
May 28,2006

Bush and Blair were downright conversational at their press conference this week. It was refreshing to hear that mistakes were made (shocker) and that the war has not been “as smooth as hoped” (double-shocker). This is the same George Bush that couldn’t think of a single mistake made during his presidency when asked during the 2004 campaign. Perhaps Tony Snow is not only the new Press Secretary, but also a new advisor.

Some believe these admissions are the result of declining poll numbers in the U.S. and Britain coupled with an increasing need for international support to ensure the success of the new Iraqi government. Perhaps, but these truths have been evident for quite some time. We PurpleThinkers believe the timing is more calculated and goes back to the very reason for the war itself.

War critics say Bush lied about WMDs, the al Qaeda connection, and threats to neighbors. This may or may not be true. If true, to what end? What did Bush and Blair seek to gain with a trumped-up case against Saddam? Conspiracy theories focusing on oil, Halliburton, and Paris Hilton just don’t add-up.

The neo-cons in the Pentagon, along with their allies in London conveyed a very dim world-view after 9/11. The hypothesis was that radical Islam was testing the will of the West. Was America still impotent from Vietnam and simply a paper dragon? The case was made for strong and decisive military action against Islamic adversaries that defy the will of the West. To the neo-cons, anything less would be an invitation for multiple 9/11s.

Afghanistan was an obvious target, but not nearly strong enough an adversary to send the necessary message. Saddam, however, was the poster-child for Western defiance. And while he was hardly an icon in the Islamic movement, he led a predominantly Muslim state in the middle of all the action. Saddam dared the West into a game of Chicken and Bush and Blair were told they could not be the first to flinch in a post-9/11 world lest they abdicate Western security for generations to come.

Whether or not Bush lied about WMDs, there was most certainly a 9/11 connection – just not the one we were led to believe. Bush and Blair couldn’t come-out and say Iraq was a giant pissing match, but that is the only logical answer given what was to be gained.

Bush and Blair didn’t lie when they admitted the war hasn’t gone as planned. However, they may not be that far from the intended mark. Iran, North Korea, and others do not doubt Bush and Blair will indeed act militarily. We will never know if future conflicts will be confronted from a position of Western strength as a result of the Iraqi war, but we do not doubt that this was the intent.

Now, Bush and Blair can hold their press conference and begin to confront reality, comforted that their point has been made and that going forward no one should doubt their convictions.

We PurpleThinkers hope it’s all been worth it.

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