He stated very clearly that he would attempt to make the war in Iraq a true international effort. This means that instead of the US shouldering 90% of the war, we would have help, and in the mean time take a stride towards regaining the trust and respect of the rest of the world. Even in these so-called "willing" coalition countries that were with us when we went in, such as Italy, a majority of the public was against this war. It just happens that the leaders realized that their countries could not suffer the brunt of Bush screwing them over for not jumping on our side. The majority of the world does not support this war. Now... on to the reason why Kerry would make a difference....
By getting Bush out, and putting Kerry in, we would have a chance at bringing alot of these non-coalition countries back to the table. Kerry said he would make this his priority. Its become clear that our so-called "coalition of the willing" isn't doing a great job of making Iraq any more stable. Actually, it would appear Iraq was much more stable when Saddam was in power. I think America needs to wake up and realize that we need the support of the majority of the world if we are going to run around acting like the damn world police. Just like any leader, you need the support of the majority. If you want to be the leaders of the free-world, you need the support of the majority of the free-world. This is exactly what we don't have under Bush. Everyone says that Kerry is no better than Bush, well at least it will be someone new that can bring people back to the table, and try and do some damage control on the tainted image Bush has given America and it's people. I don't know about you, but I one day would like to travel the world, and at this rate it isn't looking like a safe trip.
Bush has basically told the rest of the world to go screw themselves if they aren't behind him. This is not good foreign policy. This kind of behavior is the reason why Kim Jong-Il in N. Korea has a nuclear program, because he realizes that that is the only thing that will make Bush and his cronies respect his country, and trust me, other countries sick of being bullied will follow suit. Bush's policies are going to lead to nuclear proliferation and WMDs in other countries. It has become clear that Bush and his administration have no respect for international law, so these countries are clearly going to find other ways to keep him out of their countries. Bush says that we have the right to pre-emptive war to protect this country, yet it is clear that Iraq was no threat to this country. They had no WMDs, and they had no visible link to terrorism or Al Qaeda. When you are rushing into countries without the support of the world or even the majority of your own damn country, expect things to go wrong.
Now since we've figured out that Iraq was not handled correctly, do you really think Bush will be the one more able to clean it up and get our troops home? Hell no.... he still won't even admit that he made any mistakes. Do you know what a slap in the face that is to other countries and most importantly the American people? How can you fix a problem if you pretend it's not there??? At least with Kerry we have a clean slate and a chance to bring support from the rest of the world behind us to try and bring some stability to the Middle East, which is the only way we can effectively combat terrorism.
As long as we are seen as "occupiers", middle easterners are going to fight to get us out. Realize that alot of the people we are killing in Iraq and the Middle East are not actually terrorists like the government rams down our throats, but people who live there and want us out of their country. Does that automatically make them terrorists? Ask yourself, who are the real terrorists? Read into some of the "wars on terrorism" we've had in the past, such as Nicaragua and East Timor, and ask yourselves who are the real terrorists.
Oct. 6
For all those finding themselves believing Bush's main criticism of Kerry, that he is a "flip-flopper", take a look at this quote from Kerry as he stood on the Senate floor before giving Bush the ability to go to war, it sounds remarkably on point with what he said during the debate and what he has been saying all along:
Kerry (Oct. 9, 2002) "Let there be no doubt or confusion about where we stand on this. I will support a multilateral effort to disarm him (Saddam) by force, if we ever exhaust those other options, as the President has promised, but I will not support a unilateral U.S. war against Iraq unless that threat is imminent and the multilateral effort has not proven possible under any circumstances."
Stay posted for future opinions... whether you agree or disagree... at least research and decide for yourself.
Some interesting articles by Noam Chomsky, a prominent writer on foreign policy
Chuck D still bringing the noise...
Independent News Site the Guardian
Fact checking site for this election, shows the ways both parties have been misleading voters
Another interesting opinion on Bush and the Iraq situation
