Legionnaire's Disease
The American Legion convention has been plagued this week by both Fearmaster Cheney and the most unknowing of unknowns, Donald Rumsfeld. Rummy babbled about appeasing a "new kind of fascism." To which Juan Cole offers the perfect response:
Herr Rumsfeld complains that "the former CNN Baghdad bureau chief admits he concealed reports of Saddam Hussein’s crimes when he was in power so CNN could stay in Iraq," when of course that's exactly what Rummy was doing when that picture was taken, and which the US continued to do for several years, including after the brutal Anfal campaign against the Kurds for which we are trying Saddam Hussein at the moment. I guess the problem for Rummy isn't that CNN concealed Saddam's crimes--it's that they have admitted doing so. Juan Cole also responds to Herr Rumsfeld's old canard about appeasement.
And, of course, Rummy complains about "the old mentality of 'Blame America First.'" Stop starting pointless wars, committing countless war crimes, and being such brutal hypocrites, and we'll stop blaming you for it all. Simple as that.
Rummy concludes with a story dear to his "heart:"
I must say I am thoroughly sick of people pretending that America's wars have anything to do with protecting America's freedoms. Generally, it is exactly the opposite, from Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus during the Civil War to Roosevelt's imprisoning of Japanese-Americans during World War II, right up to aWol's Patriot Act.
Herr Rumsfeld complains that "the former CNN Baghdad bureau chief admits he concealed reports of Saddam Hussein’s crimes when he was in power so CNN could stay in Iraq," when of course that's exactly what Rummy was doing when that picture was taken, and which the US continued to do for several years, including after the brutal Anfal campaign against the Kurds for which we are trying Saddam Hussein at the moment. I guess the problem for Rummy isn't that CNN concealed Saddam's crimes--it's that they have admitted doing so. Juan Cole also responds to Herr Rumsfeld's old canard about appeasement.
And, of course, Rummy complains about "the old mentality of 'Blame America First.'" Stop starting pointless wars, committing countless war crimes, and being such brutal hypocrites, and we'll stop blaming you for it all. Simple as that.
Rummy concludes with a story dear to his "heart:"
A Soldier who recently volunteered for a second tour in Iraq, captured the feelings of many of his peers. In an e-mail to friends he wrote:"Never take advantage of the liberties." I say, that soldier hates us for our freedom!
"I ask that you never take advantage of the liberties guaranteed by the shedding of free blood, never take for granted the freedoms granted by our Constitution. For those liberties would be merely ink on paper were it not for the sacrifice of generations of Americans who heard the call of duty and responded heart, mind and soul with 'Yes, I will.'"
I must say I am thoroughly sick of people pretending that America's wars have anything to do with protecting America's freedoms. Generally, it is exactly the opposite, from Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus during the Civil War to Roosevelt's imprisoning of Japanese-Americans during World War II, right up to aWol's Patriot Act.
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