By Dan Lenard
Buffalo, NY – Walter Simpson's commentary last week generated much response. Many of the respondents agreed with Simpson that a war over oil is not worth the cost. But listener-commentator Dan Lenard has this opposing point of view. Click the "listen" icon above to hear it.
In response to Walter Simpson's commentary last Tuesday about "The War for Oil", I continue to be amazed at the in-depth knowledge of many liberals about what this war is about. It's as if he, Walter Simpson, is in the Oval Office, hearing, first hand the secret deals, between George W, the president of Exxon and Saudi Arabia's Prince Abdullah. It's fine to speculate. However stating speculation as fact can be quite dangerous. In a free society, we do need voices of opposition. But of opposition that brings up facts. Walter and other Liberal commentators like Jim Wittabols, continue however to bathe us with "Just supposes."
Let's look at some facts. And we'll just suppose Walter is right. What is wrong with a quick surgical elimination of the cancer that is Saadam Hussien? The left is once again throwing fear into the American public about body bags and a protracted conflict. In Gulf war I, 233 Americans did lose their lives. They were all volunteers. There was no draft. And there is none now. If you don't want your son or daughter dying in defense of our way of life. Don't let them join. War is war. People die. But the peaceniks are again stirring up unfounded images of Armageddon.
Is this about oil? You bet! In fact, I have heard intense discussion in the media about this. America is a successful industrial nation. We drive the cars of our choice I don't want the rest of us have to rely on cardboard boxes powered by wind power. My choice for me and for my precious family is to drive a safe vehicle, even if it is not the liberals' choice.
Yes, we all know this is about oil. I keep hearing from many sources that we will use the oil we gain from Iraq to stabilize the world oil market. This is a good thing, Consider that many union members, who generally vote liberal, might be out of jobs as the world oil market continues to spiral out of control.
Yes, This is about oil. And it is about a ruthless dictator who does threaten our security. The Iraqi regime poses a threat not just to the U.S. but to global order. The removal of Saddam Hussein would advance the task of containing the spread of weapons of mass destruction to rogue states.
Saddam Hussein also threatens our security by flaunting UN resolutions. This is not a fantasy. Here's more facts. As pointed out by Secretary of State Colin Powell last Wednesday. It is clear that Iraq has not complied with UN Resolution 1441, which offered it a "final opportunity" to voluntarily disarm. Neither the UN weapons inspectors nor any permanent member of the council contends that Iraq has "fully" cooperated, as the resolution requires. UN resolution 1441 says that Iraq has to prove that they have destroyed the horrible weapons they admitted to have. It is not for us to prove that they have them - they admitted they had them! So far they have provided no proof that these weapons were destroyed. Those who advocate containment through inspections ignore that strategy's costly failure during the 1990's. It would be a mistake for the United States and its allies, confronted with continued intransigence, to shrink again from decisive action in Iraq.
Walter, I am not a fly on the wall of the oval office either. Come back with facts, not speculation. Show me why doing the right thing and eliminating this evil from the Middle East and putting the other evil forces of the region on notice that we will not tolerate their threats, is wrong. The Arab world already hates us no matter what we do. Here's our chance to show the world the power of American personal freedom vs. authoritarian rule.
The success of a nation depend s on its ability to protect its interests. As President Bush said in his state of the union address, and according to the Constitution, It's his job to protect us, including those who's constant mantra is "Blame America First," and those who would let down our defenses at the drop of a risin laced hanky.
Dan Lenard is a former social studies teacher and broadcaster who is studying for his Master's degree.