Bush’s Iraq War:
An Historic Crime

Since last Thursday, I have been wondering how to express my horror at my friend Bill Markle’s comments on the Bush administration’s invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Markle’s letter is even-handed, usually a good thing, but not always. When discussing those who sell drugs to children, you should condemn them, with hardly any "on the other hand…". Here is some editorial comment that appeared, by coincidence, on the same day, last Thursday, in the New York Times:

"After four years of occupation, untold numbers killed by death squads and suicide bombers, and searing experiences like Abu Ghraib, few Iraqis still look on American soldiers as liberators. Instead, thousands marked this week’s anniversary by burning American flags and marching through the streets of Najaf chanting ‘Death to America’."

Bill’s description of the "war"—a propaganda term for the failed occupation—leaves out Abu Ghraib, Falluja, the fascist neo-conservative philosophy and the hatred of America intensified not only in Iraq but throughout the Islamic world. This international crime ranks with major invasions of the 20^th century: Japan’s invasion of China, Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia, Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia and others.

Correcting Bill’s genial summary at the end of his letter, at the end of the day, the war in Iraq has been a failure; it has been lost, and it is easy to judge that it was not worth the price.

Ernest Wright

Randolph

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