Cassus Belli

I have had a rather eye-opening discussion of late regarding the reason the United States went to war with Saddam Husseing in 2003, now known as Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Left claims that President Bush has "deceived" them into supporting the war in Iraq. There were many reasons for the invasion of Iraq, one of them being that Saddam Hussein was developing WMD's and was prepared to use them. Since a full blown and active nuclear or chemical weapon was not located in this ancient land in 2003 with the direct advent of US Forces the Left has taken up the cause of disavowing our reasons for being there but cheifly their main qualm being the lack of an operational WMD weapon or program which can only mean that "Bush Lied; People Died".

Are they right to be so defensive and reactionary? The answer: No. As you will note UN weapons, that's right, WEAPONS inspectors were in Iraq since the end of the First Gulf War in 1991. Saddam Hussein's regime had a number of stockpiles of chemical and biological agents which could easily be "weaponized", that is placed onto SCUD missles, delivered by aircraft and fired from artillery. It is a historical fact that Iraq used WMD's in this fashion, missles, aircraft and artillery during the Iranian conflict from 1981 -1989. And in fact, it was a real fear that during the First Gulf War when SCUD missles rained down upon Riyahd and Jerusalem that they were laced with chemical or biological agents. Considering what Saddam did to both Iranians and Kurds, it was not without concern and trepidation that both of these capitols faced the horrific scenario of thousands perishing by chemical or biological agents released by these bombardments.

We must also consider the fact, and it is fact, that Iraq had an OPERATIONAL NUCLEAR FACILITY at Osirak just outside of Baghdad by 1981! Nearly 25 years ago, Iraq was on the verge of nuclear parity with both Israel and the United States in that region of the world. Israel, no doubt with US blessings, destroyed this facility in a daring and bold move which resolved this nuclear picadello for the short term. However, like Egypt, Saudi Arabi and Pakistan, Iraq continued to develop these weapons in utmost secrecy. Clearly, Saddam couldn't just build another facility only to see it destroyed again by the Israeli Air Force. He simply went underground.

UN Weapons Inspectors are to this day unable to account for Saddam's chemical and biological stockpiles as recorded after the First Gulf War. It appears they have vanished. It is my contention they are in another country perhaps Syria and maybe even Iran. Once again, history has shown when the going gets tough the Baathist run and hide! In the First Gulf War, Iraqi air force fighter aircraft were flown to Iran for safe keeping knowing the Americans would cut them in half in midflight should they have contested us in the skies over Baghdad. They are still there to this day. In Operation Iraqi Freedom several Mig-25's were discovered buried directly in the desert and were later dug out by US Navy Seabees. If the Baathists buried whole aircraft in the deep desert, could they not bury their forbidden stockpiles of weapons as well? Of course they may have or they may have moved them to another country. Desparate times demand desparate measures.

America's declarations of war have historically been based on more flimsier "evidence". The Spanish-American War was started over the sinking of the Maine in Cuba. Did Spain plant a bomb or was it an overactive boiler? Who knows. American involvement in World War I began because Americans were on board a BRITISH vessel in war torn waters off of Britain when it came under atttack by a German submarine. The Lusitania went down along with the Americans. That was considered enough "evidence" that the Germans had to be dealt with in 1917. Then there is the famous Gulf of Tonkin incident in the early '60's that brought America to war against North Vietnam. Even today, it is considered an "over-reaction" by the Americans as Congress was eager for war with this communist nation. And on and on and on.

It is true, as Patton would say, all true Americans love the sting of battle. We are a war-faring nation and have been since 1775. It is only with this current generation of democrats and leftists who are defying our historical adherence to Manifest Destiny that places them at odds with our own history of war. We were born by war, we have lived by war and may very well die by war. Iraq is but the latest chapter of American military dominance and really our only cassus belli need be the doctrine of Manifest Destiny. Woe to them who are on the receiving end of the United States military.

Long live the Republic.