How many different reasons have we been given as justification for the Iraq war?

Question

let's see... first it was WMD, then an Al Qaeda/Saddam connection, lack of WMD's made Bush point to the food for oil "scam", and the biggest lie.... democracy for Iraqis.

Have I missed anything?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7634313

Answer 1

As usual Kieth Olbermann has quite a list os several here is the a piece of his "cried wolf" speech

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Many of us are as inclined to believe you just shuffled the director of national intelligence over to the State Department because he thought you were wrong about Iran.

Many of us are as inclined to believe you just put a pilot in charge of ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan because he would be truly useful in an air war next door in Iran.

Your assurances, sir, and your demands that we trust you, have lost all shape and texture.

They are now merely fertilizer for conspiracy theories.

They are now fertilizer, indeed.

The pile has been built slowly and with seeming care.

Before Mr. Bush was elected, he said nation-building was wrong for America.

Now he says it is vital.

He said he would never put U.S. troops under foreign control.

Last night he promised to embed them in Iraqi units.

He told us about WMD.

Mobile labs.

Secret sources.

Aluminum tubes.

Yellow-cake.

He has told us the war is necessary:

Because Saddam was a material threat.

Because of 9/11.

Because of Osama Bin Laden. Al-Qaida. Terrorism in general.

To liberate Iraq. To spread freedom. To spread Democracy. To prevent terrorism by gas price increases.

Because this was a guy who tried to kill his dad.

Because — 439 words in to the speech last night — he trotted out 9/11 again.

In advocating and prosecuting this war he passed on a chance to get Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi.

To get Muqtada Al-Sadr. To get Bin Laden.

He sent in fewer troops than the generals told him to. He ordered the Iraqi army disbanded and the Iraqi government “de-Baathified.”

He short-changed Iraqi training. He neglected to plan for widespread looting. He did not anticipate sectarian violence.

He sent in troops without life-saving equipment. He gave jobs to foreign contractors, and not Iraqis. He staffed U.S. positions there, based on partisanship, not professionalism.

He and his government told us: America had prevailed, mission accomplished, the resistance was in its last throes.

He has insisted more troops were not necessary. He has now insisted more troops are necessary.

He has insisted it’s up to the generals, and then removed some of the generals who said more troops would not be necessary.

He has trumpeted the turning points:

The fall of Baghdad, the death of Uday and Qusay, the capture of Saddam. A provisional government, a charter, a constitution, the trial of Saddam. Elections, purple fingers, another government, the death of Saddam.

He has assured us: We would be greeted as liberators — with flowers;

As they stood up, we would stand down. We would stay the course; we were never about “stay the course.”

We would never have to go door-to-door in Baghdad. And, last night, that to gain Iraqis’ trust, we would go door-to-door in Baghdad.

He told us the enemy was al-Qaida, foreign fighters, terrorists, Baathists, and now Iran and Syria.

He told us the war would pay for itself. It would cost $1.7 billion. $100 billion. $400 billion. Half a trillion. Last night’s speech alone cost another $6 billion.

And after all of that, now it is his credibility versus that of generals, diplomats, allies, Democrats, Republicans, the Iraq Study Group, past presidents, voters last November and the majority of the American people.

Oh, and one more to add, tonight: Oceania has always been at war with East Asia.

Mr. Bush, this is madness.

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Answer 2

So you're on the bandwagon fad that the war was unjustified, huh? Well, this will inform you of reality.

1) At the end of Gulf War 1, in 1991, Saddam signed a ceasefire, and the northern and southern no-fly zones were established.
Starting in 1993 and continuing periodically through 1999 Saddam's anti-aircraft guns targeted and fired on US and British aircraft patrolling the no-fly zones over Iraq. Thus, Saddam broke the ceasefire and thereby justified her removal from power via force as a continuation of Gulf War 1.

2) Saddam had stockpiles of WMD which he shipped up just before and during the coalition's invasion of 2003, according to the UN. Remember, this is the UN that said "there are no WMD" while the oil-for-food scam was going on (pre-2004), but they had to tell the truth after the crooks were caught making deals with Saddam.
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2004/me_iraq_06_11.html

3) And of course, removing Saddam allows us to establish a democratic government that will be an ally and give us a foothold to maintain anti-terrorism activity in the Middle East.

So you see, invading Iraq had to happen because of reasons 1 and 2, with reason 3 being a bonus.

Now you know the facts.

Answer 3

Saddam paid every family of a suicide bomber $10,000. Though he wasn't the largest supporter of terrorism he certainly backed them.
He was the easiest target to beat and save American lives by making Iraq the catalyst for political change throughout the Middle East.

A free Iraq with all Iraqi citizens receiving their fare share of oil revenue checks (as in Kuwait) will destabilize the Iranian government causing a thereat from within their own country.

Destabilizing Iran automatically weakens the foundation of the Syrian government.

These are the 2 largest contributors to terrorists. This has been the strategy from day one but the current administration cannot come right out and speak these words.

This will cause the monies flowing like a river to Al-Quaeda, Hezbollah, and Ham mas to be reduced to a dripping faucet.

The war in Iraq has been about undermining the terrorist supporting countries of the entire Middle East and is a logical step to end the source of money to terrorist organizations.

Once again...a free Iraq is their worst nightmare.

God Bless

Answer 4

How stupid are we. Do we have to see it on CNN to know that they need not be best friends to have a mutual hatred for the USA. Since they allow our population to smoke, drink, read, write, women can leave the house, whatever. They hate us because their jealous fool. If you have ever travel led the world you would see that almost everyone wants to be like the USA.
That's why everyone hates the Yankees. Their the best! Just like us. And all you European folks that think your heading in the right direction... It will be just a matter of time when we have to come save your pathetic socialist wannabee butts once again. You'd think you'd get tired of that. (France) But I and most Americans are just sitting back waiting for the poop to hit the fan. Don't listen to our LEFTWINGED media. They have a misguided approach to this war.
USA is just like your big brother, we'll be there when you need us but you'll still hate us in the end.

Love, Mike in the great USA

Answer 5

everybody knew it was once unlawful while Blair twisted it and Conservatives supported the conflict on the 2nd. This was once the view of Lib-Dems for in any respect cases. Lord Goldsmith admitted it substitute into now not approved on the 2nd despite if he substitute into silenced Few right politicians like Robin prepare dinner, Clair short and Galloway attempt to protest despite if each and each guy or woman, British fools listened to Blair. yet reality could be triumphant.

Answer 6

Violation of UN resolutions
Dicator who used gas on Kurds and Iranians
Harboring terrorist- some found there
Establishing a democracy they have 3 free elections and wrote their own consitution. btw: They stood in line to vote in fear of getting shot. Yet here liberals cry because some had to stand in line to vote.
Food for oil was funding saddam's lifestyle while his people went hungry. Fund sucide bombers.

Yes you miss a few thing too.

Answer 7

Removing an evil dictator for humanitarian reasons - Guffaw!
The Iraqis want us there, and greet us as liberators - Guffaw squared!

Answer 8

As far as I know, or can discern from the politicians, they have been adamant about the WMD and nothing else, consistently

Answer 9

You missed the hidden reason - oil wells.

But we can stay busy from now on if we want to remove evil dictators and we can start with China. What say ye?

Answer 10

ONE. It's the RIGHT THING TO DO.

Remember when liberals supported freedom?

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." -- JFK.