As time goes on, the media continues to be content with spinning the WMD tale...that there were none, even when information has been disclosed to indicate that Saddam Hussein, in fact, had WMDs in his possession.
Recently, tapes have been released with Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi leader talking with Iraqi officials on how to throw off the U.N. Weapons Inspectors, keeping his real intentions under wraps. According to CNN:
U.S. officials who have reviewed the tapes said Hussein was "fixated" on acquiring weapons of mass destruction and preventing U.N. inspectors from finding out.
If Iraq wasn't intending to use any WMDs, why then was Saddam Hussein so secretive?
The article goes on to say:
Hussein also said on one of the tapes that he warned British and U.S. officials of an imminent attack employing weapons of mass destruction.
"Terrorism is coming. I told the Americans a long time before August 2 and I told the British as well, I think," Hussein tells then-Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz. "I told them that in the future there will be terrorism with weapons of mass destruction."
(see CNN article below)
Well isn't that nice. A threat from Saddam, no matter if he said it wouldn't be from Iraq or not (which I highly find it hard to believe) isn't up for debate. The fact is, Saddam Hussein was a threat to America.
Let's go back and review his reign, shall we?
Saddam Hussein was a dictator, not the President of Iraq. Saddam was not elected by his people, he seized power in 1979, and ruled with bloody force, intimidation, and fear.
People forget that Saddam provoked the US many times throughout the 1990's. He threatened the US with "the mother of all wars" comment before the Gulf War. It was a warning to American and international soldiers not to enter Iraq, or all hell would break loose. And after the Gulf War, American pilots were regularly fired upon in the No Fly Zones in Northern and Southern Iraq.
President Clinton took action against Saddam Hussein in 1998 because of Iraq's "nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs." Knowing that former President Clinton made such a pressing case to attack Iraq... I am wondering, then, why when President Bush decides to get rid of Saddam, do we hear such railing from the left about Bush being the aggressor? Were all these politicians lying about Saddam? Why are some politicians who supported President Bush in the beginning, changing like the winds, and are against the War in Iraq?
Over the years, the evidence has been there to support a very difficult to deal with Saddam Hussein...the fact that he has brushed off UN weapons inspectors, and refused to fully comply with WMD searches. So fearing the repercussions of what would happen if Saddam was left unchecked, President Bush decided to remove him from power. If I think back, President Bush did give him a chance. But, Saddam Hussein was stubborn.
So now, we are dealing with his trial, and people who say Iraq had no WMDs. What about the people who have recently come forward to say that Iraq moved their WMDs, are they lying? I am inclined to believe them:
"The short answer to the question of where the WMD Saddam bought from the Russians went was that they went to Syria and Lebanon," former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense John A. Shaw told an audience Saturday at a privately sponsored "Intelligence Summit" in Alexandria, Va. (www.intelligencesummit.org).
"They were moved by Russian Spetsnaz (special forces) units out of uniform, that were specifically sent to Iraq to move the weaponry and eradicate any evidence of its existence," he said.
(see article below: Russia moved Saddam's WMDs)
Another stunning development came as it is now said that Syria has passed on to Al-Qaida the WMDs that Saddam possessed. An admission such as that definitely deserves some investigation and second thought.
Little by little, the truth is starting to come out. Surely Saddam Hussein had WMDs and was going to use them eventually.
As the Saddam Hussein trial continues, I wonder why this man, who is on trial for some very serious crimes, is allowed to yell and rant like he has done nothing. Lately, the outbursts in court have become more regular. I believe that Saddam Hussein thinks that he owns the courtroom. His antics have had me shaking my head in disgust and astonishment, and wondering when this insanity will be over. I am wondering how he continues to get away with all he does... lashing out at the judge, threatening to walk out, refusing to even show up, and his defense team calling the trial illegitimate.
In court, Saddam also screams "Down with Bush!," President Bush, who removed him on suspicion of harboring WMDs, and the fact that Saddam was a brutal dictator.
Saddam only needs to put the blame on himself. President Bush was only doing what he felt necessary to defend our country. Imagine what would have happened if Saddam were given more time in power, and the US did not act? It's a scary thought.
Numerous atrocities committed at the hand of Saddam's regime
If WMDs weren't enough of a reason to topple Saddam Hussein, consider the fact that he has murdered, tortured, and maimed thousands of his own people. Witnesses during the trial tell of the horrors they've seen and endured during Saddam's reign. Rapes, beatings, torture... people put through meat grinders, etc. Mass graves of Saddam's victims continue to be uncovered in Iraq by US soldiers. Yes, it's time that Saddam Hussein faces justice!
Just as former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic faced trial for war crimes and genocide, so should Saddam Hussein for his many atrocities against humanity. Saddam should be glad that he is not 6 ft. under by now. The Iraqi people had no love for him, especially the Kurds.
Right now, I have no sympathy for him. In order to get this trial moving along, I wish someone would tape Saddam's mouth shut and bar him from leaving the courtroom.
Chief Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin, one of the 5 judges who has presided over the court since the beginning of the trial, stepped down in January over Iraqi disappointment that he has been too easy on Saddam Hussein. Raouf Rasheed Abdel-Rahman replaced Judge Amin. Let's just hope that Abdel-Rahman will be more strict in how he handles Saddam's courtroom antics.
Remember why we are in Iraq
Yes people die during war. There are going to be casualties. The effort to remove Saddam was well worth it than letting him remain and continue to terrorize his own people, and eventually, challenge the U.S. Just think...how many more people would have to die under his tyrannical regime? Saddam committed many horrible atrocities during a time of peace.
To try to turn things around to make President Bush look like the bad guy is laughable. I really believe that President Bush saved a nation from evil, and gave the Iraqi people a chance for freedom. And no matter how hard the challenge seems, we must continue our job in Iraq to help the people get on their feet and govern themselves, then we can leave.
The U.S., with our allies, are trying to help the Iraqi people. The troublemakers come from other countries, trying to disrupt anything good that is transpiring in Iraq.
Instead of tearing apart the President because of his actions to go to war with Iraq, it's wise to stay motivated with him, so that our troops can finish their job and come home. Feeling sorry for Saddam Hussein is a no-win situation. Saddam needs to hear what devastation he has caused to so many people, and get ready to face the consequences.
Let's not give him any leverage or lend him an ear as he rants in court. It's time for him to finally face the music, as I hope this trial ends very soon.
Let's stay focused and continue to back our troops and their Commander in Chief!
Related Reading:
CNN.com-On tape, Hussein talks of WMDs (Feb.19,2006):
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/18/hussein.tapes/index.html?section=cnn_latest
Tapes: Saddam Hussein Had Secret Uranium Enrichment Program:
http://newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?s=pf&page=http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/2/16/90042.shtml?s=lh&s=lh
Politicians in favor of taking action against Saddam Hussein:
President Clinton (Dec. 16, 1998):
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/july-dec98/clinton_12-16.html
Albright: 'All options open' on Iraq (Feb. 1, 1998):
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9802/01/iraq/
In U.S., Calls Grow Louder for Saddam Hussein's Removal (Feb. 5, 1998):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/iraq/stories/policy020598.htm
Statement of Senator Rockefeller on the Senate Floor (Oct. 10, 2002):
http://www.senate.gov/~rockefeller/news/2002/flrstmt0102002.html
Ex-Official: Russia Moved Saddam's WMD:
http://newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?s=pf&page=http://newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/2/18/233023.shtml?s=lh
Iraqi General: Syria Gave Al-Qaida Saddam's WMDs:
http://www.newsmax.com/scripts/printer_friendly.pl?s=pf&page=http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/1/29/133526.shtml
Saddam Atrocities:
http://www.defenddemocracy.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=308933
*Latest News:
Newly released document links Saddam to Al-Qaida:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49297
Saddam's Philippines Terror Connection:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/011/990ieqmb.asp
*Felicia (Fee) Benamon is a political columnist who writes for various conservative sites including RenewAmerica.us, Daley-Times Post, RealityCheck.org, Capitolhillcoffeehouse.com, TheConservativeVoice.com, Mensnewsdaily.com, and many more. Felicia is currently branching out, and hopes to do more freelance writing, and eventually carry a column in her local newspaper. She hails from a military background, and has been politically active since the 2000 elections. Felicia is also an occasional guest speaker on KYAL2K, conservative talk radio (www.k-talk.com), Salt Lake City, UT.
You may email Felicia: Feereports@aol.com
