I’ve spent a couple of days now trying to sum up my thoughts on the Iraq disaster, pulling together dozens of links and quotes as I am wont to do. But the topic is so big and so ugly that I’ve gotten bogged down in the details. Luckily for me, someone else has already written the piece I meant to write — and much better than I would’ve. Over at Lotus – Surviving a Dark Time, Whoviating has a thorough and clear-eyed summary of the Year of War.
He even answers that question — that showstopper question I’m asked nearly every time I voice my opposition to the war: “Would you prefer if Saddam Hussein was still in power?” Each time I’m asked, I fall into that reflexive, politically correct answer which leaves me feeling weak and full of self-disgust: “Of course it’s better that we took him out, but…” Whoviating doesn’t give in, though. He says:
Yes! I would be happier if Saddam Hussein was still in power if it meant we valued justice over jingoism.
The simple fact is, the war on Iraq was not about our security and safety, it was about our power and privilege. There is a vast chasm, both practical and ethical, between those paired premises – and we as a nation have been on the wrong side. And frankly, yes! I would be happier, I would feel more hopeful for the future of the world and all its peoples – including those of Iraq – if Saddam Hussein still being in power meant that was not true.
Go read the whole thing.
