When Bush sent American soldiers to die in Iraq

/
The recently declassified 28 pages of the 9/11 Commission Report have added to ongoing foreign policy debates because of the bombshell revelations about Saudi Arabia. While the Saudis have long denied any connection to the tragic attacks, the 28 pages, complete with references to FBI reports and CIA memos, paint a different picture. There are connections to ministry officials, diplomatic figures, and even close Bush family friend Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the former Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States.
imgres

After 9/11, America was in a dark position. Despite the renewed patriotism and unity, there was great fear. The strength of the United States was challenged when a group of foreigners slipped past security, hijacked airplanes with boxcutters, and turned them into a living suicide bomb. It was the final flight for many people. The debris would be the final resting place for many and become the spot where first responders were made widows and widowers out of spouses.

The final result was thousands of innocent lives dead.

Because of this, the Bush Administration naturally responded as any other political leadership would. There was firm rhetoric and promises of revenge. We as a nation would not be broken.  Afghanistan was invaded, terrorists hunted and then either killed or captured. The “War on Terror” became the name of a new era in foreign policy. Because of fear, Americans consented to the interventionist foreign policy abroad and erosion of liberties at home.
 
The Bush Administration had a brilliant political opportunity. Fear gripped a nation and as a result, a scared nation looked to the President and his leadership team for security and hope.
 
To Iraq we went.
 
imgres
 
The result was almost five thousand soldiers dying. Think of all those families deprived of a parent, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, or even children? The U.S. Department of Defense also estimates almost 32,000 soldiers were wounded in action. This sacrifice made by almost 40,000 soldiers being either killed or injured was because the Bush Administration deemed Iraq a threat. Those stating Iraq was an imminent threat included spokespeople for the President and the Pentagon, multiple Press Secretaries, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney and President George W. Bush.
 
Over the years, the purpose of the intervention has been haunted by growing scrutiny. Questions about supposed Al Qaeda connections and alleged Weapons of Mass Destruction have come to light, bringing the Bush Administration’s honesty in question.
 
Had all these brave soldiers died for a lie?
 
The declassified 28 pages of the 9/11 Commission Report suggest that may be the case. While we were led to believe that the invasion of Iraq was to fight terrorism, the United States Government was actually protecting a nation with proven terrorist ties. Saudi Arabia, according to the CIA and FBI as shown in the 9/11 Commission Report, had a lot of connections.
 
Where was the invasion of Saudi Arabia? There was more reason to put boots on the ground there, if anywhere at all, than in Iraq.
 
But soldiers were sent to die in Iraq, instead. In retrospect, given the revelations of the 9/11 Commission Report, former President George W. Bush’s Administration was less concerned with chasing terrorism and more about fighting a political battle.
 
Soldiers died. And for what purpose?

Chris Dixon is a liberty activist and writer from Maine. In addition to being Managing Editor for the Liberty Conservative, he also writes the Bangor Daily News blog "Undercover Porcupine" and for sports website Cleatgeeks.

Latest from Politics

Thanks for visiting our site! Stay in touch with us by subscribing to our newsletter. You will receive all of our latest updates, articles, endorsements, interviews, and videos direct to your inbox.