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The Fire In The Attic

POSTED:Wed, March 19, 2008 @ 4:02PM

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Five Long Years

    On March 19, 2003, I was yet to be a resident of West Virginia. I had been accepted by Miami University and I had spent my entire life as an Ohio boy. But I can still remember, like a resounding boom, the ominous thunder that came from West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd that very afternoon five years ago. Four hours that speech, missile bay doors would open, smooth metal bombs would fall, and the United States of America would jump, headlast, into a war against the nation of Iraq. Here is Sen. Bird’s introduction to his speech below

    I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied its roots and gloried in the wisdom of its magnificent Constitution. I have marveled at the wisdom of its founders and framers. Generation after generation of Americans has understood the lofty ideals that underlie our great Republic. I have been inspired by the story of their sacrifice and their strength.
    But, today I weep for my country. I have watched the events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned.
    Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, we demand obedience or threaten recrimination. Instead of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption, which is understood by few and feared by many. We say that the United States has the right to turn its firepower on any corner of the globe which might be suspect in the war on terrorism. We assert that right without the sanction of any international body. As a result, the world has become a much more dangerous place.

To recap, five years ago.

Now.

    So, on the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq, Vice-President Dick Cheney was on ABC's Good Morning America and responded to white house correspondent Martha Raddatz with these remarks. Cheney was saing, "On the security front, I think there’s a general consensus that we’ve made major progress, that the surge has worked. That’s been a major success. Raddatz replied, "Two thirds of Americans say it's not worth fighting," to which Cheney asked, "So?"

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The Fire In The Attic

Five Long Years

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Ben Spanner