quote:

"One way or the other, we are determined to
deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass
destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That
is our bottom line."
- President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998

"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use
force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously
diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass
destruction program."
- President Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998

"Iraq is a long way from [here], but what
happens there matters a great deal here. For the
risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use
nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us
or our allies is the greatest security threat we
face."
- Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998

"He will use those weapons of mass destruction
again, as he has ten times since 1983."
- Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998

"We urge you, after consulting with Congress,
and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws,
to take necessary actions (including, if
appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect
Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat
posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass
destruction programs."
- Letter to President Clinton, signed by Sens. Carl Levin (D-MI),
Tom Daschle (D-SD), John Kerry ( D - MA), and others Oct. 9, 1998


"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the
development of weapons of mass destruction
technology which is a threat to countries in the
region and he has made a mockery of the weapons
inspection process."
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998

"Hussein has ... chosen to spend his money on
building weapons of mass destruction and palaces
for his cronies."
- Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999

"There is no doubt that .. Saddam Hussein has
invigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate
that biological, chemical and nuclear programs
continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War
status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine
delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of
a licit missile program to develop longer-range
missiles that will threaten the United States and
our allies."
- Letter to President Bush, Signed by Sen. Bob
Graham (D, FL,) and others, December 5, 2001

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam
Hussein is a tyrant and threat to the peace and
stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate
of the United Nations and is building weapons of
mass destruction and the means of delivering them."
- Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of
biological and chemical weapons throughout his country."
- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002


"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction
has proven impossible to deter and we should assume
that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power."
- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam
Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass
destruction."
- Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in
October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam
Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and
biological weapons, and that he has since embarked
on a crash course to build up his chemical and
biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence
reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear
weapons..."
- Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002

"I will be voting to give the President! of
the United States the authority to use force-- if
necessary-- to disarm Saddam Hussein because I
believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass
destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat
to our security."
- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam
Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear
weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within
the next five years ... We also should remember we
have always underestimated the progress Saddam has
made in development of weapons of mass destruction."
- Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002


"He has systematically violated, over the
course of the past 11 years, every significant UN
resolution that has demanded that he disarm and
destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any
nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do."
- Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002

"In the four years since the inspectors left,
intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has
worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapon
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."
- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002


"We are in possession of what I think to be
compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has
had for a number of years, a developing capacity for
the production and storage of weapons of mass
destruction."
- Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec.! 8, 2002

"Without question, we need to disarm Saddam
Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading
an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly
grievous threat because he is so consistently prone
to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating
America's response to his continued deceit and his
consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction...
So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass
destruction is real."
- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003

quote:

ORIGINAL: Goodwill

please lets remember that we are all (supposed to be) christians here so lets handle our selves like so...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Goodwill

quote:

"One way or the other, we are determined to
deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass
destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That
is our bottom line."
- President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998

"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use
force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously
diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass
destruction program."
- President Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998

"Iraq is a long way from [here], but what
happens there matters a great deal here. For the
risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use
nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us
or our allies is the greatest security threat we
face."
- Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998

"He will use those weapons of mass destruction
again, as he has ten times since 1983."
- Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998

"We urge you, after consulting with Congress,
and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws,
to take necessary actions (including, if
appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect
Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat
posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass
destruction programs."
- Letter to President Clinton, signed by Sens. Carl Levin (D-MI),
Tom Daschle (D-SD), John Kerry ( D - MA), and others Oct. 9, 1998


"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the
development of weapons of mass destruction
technology which is a threat to countries in the
region and he has made a mockery of the weapons
inspection process."
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998

"Hussein has ... chosen to spend his money on
building weapons of mass destruction and palaces
for his cronies."
- Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999

"There is no doubt that .. Saddam Hussein has
invigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate
that biological, chemical and nuclear programs
continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War
status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine
delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of
a licit missile program to develop longer-range
missiles that will threaten the United States and
our allies."
- Letter to President Bush, Signed by Sen. Bob
Graham (D, FL,) and others, December 5, 2001

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam
Hussein is a tyrant and threat to the peace and
stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate
of the United Nations and is building weapons of
mass destruction and the means of delivering them."
- Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of
biological and chemical weapons throughout his country."
- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002


"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction
has proven impossible to deter and we should assume
that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power."
- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam
Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass
destruction."
- Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in
October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam
Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and
biological weapons, and that he has since embarked
on a crash course to build up his chemical and
biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence
reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear
weapons..."
- Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002

"I will be voting to give the President! of
the United States the authority to use force-- if
necessary-- to disarm Saddam Hussein because I
believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass
destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat
to our security."
- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam
Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear
weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within
the next five years ... We also should remember we
have always underestimated the progress Saddam has
made in development of weapons of mass destruction."
- Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002


"He has systematically violated, over the
course of the past 11 years, every significant UN
resolution that has demanded that he disarm and
destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any
nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do."
- Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002

"In the four years since the inspectors left,
intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has
worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapon
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."
- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002


"We are in possession of what I think to be
compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has
had for a number of years, a developing capacity for
the production and storage of weapons of mass
destruction."
- Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec.! 8, 2002

"Without question, we need to disarm Saddam
Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading
an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly
grievous threat because he is so consistently prone
to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating
America's response to his continued deceit and his
consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction...
So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass
destruction is real."
- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003

So now these same democrats say that bush lied to us and there never were any wmd's and that he took us to war for nothing.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Goodwill
please lets remember that we are all (supposed to be) christians here so lets handle our selves like so...I love debate but hate arguing

quote:

ORIGINAL: Walker311

I was shocked beyond words the other night as I watched a documentary on the history channel of the atrocities committed by Saddam, his 2 sons, and his regime on the people of Iraq. If these things went on without much of the world knowing then imagine what goes on in other countries. With the wealth that Saddam had accumulated and continued to accumulate, and the fear that he had created among the people, it would have been just a matter of time before the nut would have had WMD with intention to use them wherever he desired. He did a very good job of getting rid of them.

The world allowed it to happen once before with Hitler and thank God America intervened this time.

quote:

With the wealth that Saddam had accumulated and continued to accumulate, and the fear that he had created among the people, it would have been just a matter of time before the nut would have had WMD with intention to use them wherever he desired. He did a very good job of getting rid of them.

The world allowed it to happen once before with Hitler and thank God America intervened this time.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Goodwill

Well i expected more anti war liberal remarks but I guess not....

quote:

ORIGINAL: Walker311

This documentary showed how one son of Saddam saw a newly married couple getting off an elevator and he favored the bride and had his men escort her to his room. Her new husband protested and he had him killed. You know I can't help but believe that at some point God gets so sick of this and brings down judgement. They showed the mass of women and children that were killed by his use of chemical weapons.

quote:

Months ago, President Bush announced victory in Iraq. Yet our own violence has spawned hatred against us, death of our soldiers, and our own carelessness has led to innocent deaths of civilians. Although there were no weapons of mass destruction, I strongly believe that the people of Iraq needed to be liberated. But the question that comes to mind is: Should we have used violence? I do not believe so.

Being a pacifist, some may believe that I feel the best course of action is inaction. Thus is far from the truth. To be a pacifist, one must be completely active... but it is through actions of love, not actions of hate, that change should be made. We drop our swords and give ourselves over to love if we truly want world peace. It is the basic concept that we should not only have fought the Iraqi government nonviolently to tear down a dictatorship, but also to tear down the hatred in their hearts. When that is accomplished, then we have reached true victory.

It is commonly argued, "But Iraq was much more brutal than places such as India, it would never work in Iraq." Yet, nine different brutal totalitarian nations in South America freed themselves from their brutish governments using nonviolence, including the people of Chile whom suffered under Augusto Pinochet, one of the most brutal dictators in history. Even the Nazis could not control the nonviolent resistance in Norway until the activists turned violent.

Sometimes it seems illogical, or impractical, but when kept nonviolent every single organized large-scale peaceful revolution has worked. Success is difficult, but when organized well, it has not failed in even the most atrocious regimes.

What should we have done then? I believe we should have assembled a Nonviolent Army, one which would aide the Iraqi people in civil disobedience in a movement for peace. With millions upon millions worldwide aiding this, Iraq simply would have lost control. When a human injures another human that consistently shows love and forgiveness, in 99 out of 100 times, the aggressors hatred decreases and respect increases. When people continuously refuse to comply, even to the death, then you can not achieve their obedience. Through nonviolent, non-cooperation with evil, that evil simply cannot control you if you persist, as it is impossible for governments to function without the general obedience of the people. I believe it could have, and would have worked against the Iraqi government, if attempted with international support.

Iraq is not the only government we should have gone after nonviolently. By sitting by idly, we allow China, Cuba, among countless others to oppress their people. Apathy is the worst form of violence, and we must turn our apathy into love if we wish to turn away from the depths of violence into which we are falling. There is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence, the choice is now between nonviolence and the end of our existance. We are committing suicide upon ourselves, and this is our last chance.

It still astounds me that the possibility of nonviolence failing prevents us from attempting it, but violence has failed us for millennia (it has always lead to more violence later on) and it has always been our first option. The great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. put it best when he said:

"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: Only love can do that."

I sincerely hope that humanity can at least attempt such a method of compassion for change. Otherwise, we are doomed.

quote:

I personally cannot see how anyone who is truly following the teachings of Christ can truly support any war. Jesus said, "Love your enemies," "turn the other cheek," and "blessed are the peacemakers." The second greatest commandment of all, according to Jesus, is to love our neighbors as ourselves. We cannot do such things while being in the act of killing other humans. We just can't. It is my belief that Jesus would have advocated for nonviolent means to just ends.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Walker311

quote:

I personally cannot see how anyone who is truly following the teachings of Christ can truly support any war. Jesus said, "Love your enemies," "turn the other cheek," and "blessed are the peacemakers." The second greatest commandment of all, according to Jesus, is to love our neighbors as ourselves. We cannot do such things while being in the act of killing other humans. We just can't. It is my belief that Jesus would have advocated for nonviolent means to just ends.

You must consider that if 200 million Americans had been passive as yourself, the American language would now either be Japanese or Russian.