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2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Sec. Clinton says that she trusted W... [View all]beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)11. Bernie never supported military intervention in Iraq, and Hillary is "misremembering" her support:
"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members...
It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well, effects American security.
This is a very difficult vote, this is probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make. Any vote that might lead to war should be hard, but I cast it with conviction."
It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well, effects American security.
This is a very difficult vote, this is probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make. Any vote that might lead to war should be hard, but I cast it with conviction."
In March 2003 she fully endorsed the invasion:
There is a very easy way to prevent anyone from being put into harm's way, and that is for Saddam Hussein to disarm, and I have absolutely no belief that he will. I have to say that this is something I have followed for more than a decade.
For now nearly 20 years, the principal reason why women and children in Iraq have suffered, is because of Saddam's leadership.
The very difficult question for all of us, is how does one bring about the disarmament of someone with such a proven track record of a commitment, if not an obsession, with weapons of mass destruction.
I ended up voting for the Resolution after carefully reviewing the information and intelligence I had available, talking with people whose opinions I trusted, trying to discount political or other factors that I didn't believe should be in any way a part of this decision, and it is unfortunate that we are at the point of a potential military action to enforce the resolution. That is not my preference, it would be far preferable if we had legitimate cooperation from Saddam Hussein, and a willingness on his part to disarm, and to account for his chemical and biological storehouses.
With respect to whose responsibility it is to disarm Saddam Hussein, I do not believe that given the attitudes of many people in the world community today that there would be a willingness to take on very difficult problems were it not for United States leadership.
For now nearly 20 years, the principal reason why women and children in Iraq have suffered, is because of Saddam's leadership.
The very difficult question for all of us, is how does one bring about the disarmament of someone with such a proven track record of a commitment, if not an obsession, with weapons of mass destruction.
I ended up voting for the Resolution after carefully reviewing the information and intelligence I had available, talking with people whose opinions I trusted, trying to discount political or other factors that I didn't believe should be in any way a part of this decision, and it is unfortunate that we are at the point of a potential military action to enforce the resolution. That is not my preference, it would be far preferable if we had legitimate cooperation from Saddam Hussein, and a willingness on his part to disarm, and to account for his chemical and biological storehouses.
With respect to whose responsibility it is to disarm Saddam Hussein, I do not believe that given the attitudes of many people in the world community today that there would be a willingness to take on very difficult problems were it not for United States leadership.
She even claimed that what we did to Iraq was a gift:
Hillary Goes Orwellian on Iraq
Hillary Clinton may fancy she opposes the war in Iraq, but she has a funny way of showing it. On Monday night in Austin, she had this to say about what the United States military has done over the past five years:
There was nothing accidental about this line. She delivered it in response to two Iraq veterans introduced at a town hall meeting at the Austin Convention Center by her friend and campaign surrogate Ted Danson. She liked the line enough that she delivered it again a couple of hours later, at a campaign-closing rally at a basketball arena in south Austin.
"The gift of freedom" is, of course, a curious way to describe an unprovoked invasion and occupation causing hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths and leaving just about every aspect of life chaotic and fraught with daily dangers. To then lay responsibility for the mess on the Iraqis -- we did our bit, now you do yours -- is the worst kind of dishonesty, a complete abdication of moral principles. It's the sort of thing George Bush has said to justify his decision both to launch the invasion in the first place and then stay the course -- a course Hillary Clinton has spent many months telling primary and caucus voters she thinks was misconceived from the start.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-gumbel/hillary-goes-orwellian-on_b_89729.html
Hillary Clinton may fancy she opposes the war in Iraq, but she has a funny way of showing it. On Monday night in Austin, she had this to say about what the United States military has done over the past five years:
"We have given them the gift of freedom, the greatest gift you can give someone. Now it is really up to them to determine whether they will take that gift."
There was nothing accidental about this line. She delivered it in response to two Iraq veterans introduced at a town hall meeting at the Austin Convention Center by her friend and campaign surrogate Ted Danson. She liked the line enough that she delivered it again a couple of hours later, at a campaign-closing rally at a basketball arena in south Austin.
"The gift of freedom" is, of course, a curious way to describe an unprovoked invasion and occupation causing hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths and leaving just about every aspect of life chaotic and fraught with daily dangers. To then lay responsibility for the mess on the Iraqis -- we did our bit, now you do yours -- is the worst kind of dishonesty, a complete abdication of moral principles. It's the sort of thing George Bush has said to justify his decision both to launch the invasion in the first place and then stay the course -- a course Hillary Clinton has spent many months telling primary and caucus voters she thinks was misconceived from the start.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-gumbel/hillary-goes-orwellian-on_b_89729.html
Bernie knew what would happen if we invaded Iraq and tried to warn others:
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She did not say that. She did say she thought the resolution would let Hans Blix finish his study
Hoyt
Mar 2016
#3
She knew that giving W the authority that he would take advantage of it. She is personal friends
rhett o rick
Mar 2016
#5
Really? If needed as determined by the fucking Republicans? She voted to give
rhett o rick
Mar 2016
#15
She made it crystal clear that she supported the actions of the Republicons.
rhett o rick
Mar 2016
#41
The resolution before the Senate is not as strong as I would like in requiring the diplomatic route
BlueStateLib
Mar 2016
#42
Please explain your point. Are you trying to rationalize her speech and vote?
rhett o rick
Mar 2016
#43
If it was a vote for war why was Iraq invaded by Hans Blix and the U.N. Weapons Inspectors
BlueStateLib
Mar 2016
#44
Why did she acknowledge that her vote might lead to war? You still haven't made your point.
rhett o rick
Mar 2016
#46
Bernie never supported military intervention in Iraq, and Hillary is "misremembering" her support:
beam me up scottie
Mar 2016
#11
Well, this says you are wrong. Fact is, she didn't vote for george war bush's invasion.
Hoyt
Mar 2016
#14
In your dreams, that's an op-ed which is short on facts and long on bullshit.
beam me up scottie
Mar 2016
#17
Funny how I missed that in the article you linked to. She did vote to give
rhett o rick
Mar 2016
#23
I suspect Hillary knows that picture of her and GWB from Nancy Reagan funeral got out
BernieforPres2016
Mar 2016
#16
I see. So THAT'S what she traded for the $20 billion to cement her cred in NY--
Peace Patriot
Mar 2016
#25
What's not to trust about George W. Bush? They counted the votes in Florida and recounted them
Uncle Joe
Mar 2016
#26
In any other country, this would be corruption - and / or an impeachable offense
Betty Karlson
Mar 2016
#35