Commentary on the Iraq War

Mistakes and foolish errors have been made throughout the history of the United States of America. These include slavery, the Great Depression, Isolationism, and reconstruction to name a few. America also had its share of idiot presidents. Buchanan, Harding, Carter, and Garfield are the names that come to mind when it comes to the politicians that never should have been in the oval office. But never in American history has there been a blunder so erroneous and a president too damn stupid and too damn arrogant to realize that it was a mistake. The error I am speaking of is the war in Iraq. The president I am speaking of is George Walker Bush.

The Iraq War got started on the idea that Iraq under Saddam Hussien had weapons of mass destruction. It also got started on the premise that Saddam was linked to Al Qeada and Osama Bin Laden, the world's most wanted man who was behind the horrifying attacks on September 11, 2001. When President Bush announced that a war with Iraq will result if Saddam does not disarm his weapons of mass destruction, most of the country and the world was behind him. Those who were in favor of the war in Iraq were viewed as patriotic while those who were opposed to it were viewed as anti-American. When France objected to the war, they were seen as anti-American and an ally of the enemy. Boycotts on French products were underway. When the country-music trio "The Dixie Chicks" made the infamous statement, the statement that said "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas", their fans burned their CDs or threw them in the trash. Those who backed the war and President Bush were seen as loyal to their nation while dissenters were treated like modern-day Benedict Arnolds. The president told the American People that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. The president told the American People Saddam was linked to Osama and 9/11.

It was all a lie.

No weapons of destruction were ever found. No link was found between Saddam Hussien and Osama Bin Laden. Al Qeada was never in Iraq. President Bush told the American People one lie after another. He and Vice President Cheney lied us into this war. He lied to congress about Iraq and 9/11. He lied to congress about the WMDs.

It has been five years ago yesterday when this war began. Five whole years have now been spent in Iraq. Although Saddam was captured, his sons Uday and Qusay were killed in a fire fight, and Al Zarqary was killed in an airstrike, more bad has been done than good. At least 3,990 American soldiers lost their lives. About 29,000 American Troops were wounded.

All of this for what? There were no weapons of mass destruction. There was no link between Saddam and Bin Laden. There was no link between Saddam and 9/11. There was no Al Qeada in Iraq before American Troops invaded. In fact, Saddam was not even a threat to the United States. However, the president and the vice president do not wish to listen to the critics of this war. When the generals told President Bush that his strategy would not work, they were fired. Valerie Plame's name was leaked when her husband, Joe Wilson, criticized Bush's war plans and she had to leave the CIA.

The actions of this administration are nothing short of irresponsible and alarming. President Bush and Vice President Cheney are responsible for the mess that is Iraq. They are responsible for the loss of nearly 4,000 soldiers. They are responsible for the many lies that got this nation into Iraq. And what did this all do? This war made Al Qeada stronger. This war distracted us from the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, who is still roaming about the planet as a free man instead of being brought to justice. Iraq is a total mess. It is a bottomless pit. Even though the surge may have lowered the violence in Iraq, it has failed its main goal: political reconciliation.

But is this war all Bush's fault? It may sound like it, but it really is not. It is also the fault of the representatives and senators, both Republicans and Democrats, that voted in favor of the use of force. Although they were lied to, it does not change the fact that the politicians who voted for the use of force in Iraq still voted for it. I can not take back my support for the use of force in Iraq. Neither should they. America has been through mistakes and the arrogant presidents who made them. None of them were as bad as the war in Iraq and no president was so stubborn as President Bush. The many errors made by this president and its consequences will be felt for quite some time. Hopefully our next president, whether it be Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), or Senator John McCain (R-AZ) will correct the severe errors made by President Bush and .

The war in Iraq was a mistake...and President Bush may go down in American history as the worst president ever.

Good night, and good luck.