Thursday, March 18, 2004

More Kerry Krap

I found on PBS' website, this TIMELINE of events leading up to the first Gulf War - highlights below. Senator John Kerry voted against authorizing the use of force in the Persian Gulf (S.J. Res. 2, Roll Call Vote #2: Passed 52-47: R 42-2; D 10-45, January 12, 1991). Kerry has stated he voted against the use of force, in order to allow more time for economic sanctions to force the ouster of Hussein from Kuwait.

He is now speaking out against President Bush's decision to go to war against Saddam Hussein, despite having voted FOR the resolution authorizing the use of force. I'm certain the fact that that vote took place right before mid-term elections had NOTHING to do with it. He says the President failed to build an international coalition, as if one more country (France) on the list would have made everything OK.

Let's see what the international community thought of Hussein's annexation of Kuwait back in August of 1990.

    August 2: Iraq invades Kuwait and seizes Kuwaiti oil fields. Kuwait's emir flees. Iraq masses troops along the Saudi border. U.N. condemns Iraq's invasion and demands withdrawal.

    August 6: U.N. imposes trade embargo on Iraq.

    August 7: Saudi Arabia requests U.S. troops to defend against possible Iraqi attack.

    August 9: First U.S. military forces arrive in Saudi Arabia. U.N. declares Iraqi annexation of Kuwait void.

    September 14-15: United Kingdom and France announce deployment of 10,000 troops to Gulf.

    December 17: U.N. sets deadline for Iraqi withdrawal on January 15, 1991. Hussein rejects all U.N. resolutions.

    January 9: Talks between U.S. Secretary of State Baker and Iraqi Foreign Minister Aziz end in stalemate.

    January 12: Congress grants President Bush authority to wage war.

So, Saddam's forces invade a sovereign (US ally) nation. This action is condemned by the UN. Saudi Arabia requests protection from the US. The UN declares the annexation of Kuwait void. England and France send troops to the region to support the US and its allies. The UN sets a deadline for Iraqi withdrawal and is laughed at by the oh-so rational Saddam Hussein. Dimplomatic efforts by the US State Department and the Iraqi Government prove fruitless (what a shocker!).

The UN and France were solidly on board, and all the distinguished Junior Senator from Massachusetts could muster was something to the effect of "Hey, I have an idea, lets try more economic sanctions! That'll teach him a lesson!"

Needless to say, once the war was over in a matter of days, with Kuwaiti sovereignty restored, Kerry trumpeted his support for the entire operation. This man is a joke.

Let's see what the real JFK had to say on similar matters: "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. This much we pledge - and more."

Nope, no swing to the left for the Democrat Party here. None at all.