Mailvox: A fat, slow pitch hanging over home plate

Bill writes: Which resolution was that? And what did Bush mean when he said “America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people.”

The technical casus belli for the current Iraqi war is Saddam Hussein’s defiance of 17 UN resolutions. Specifically, UN Security Council Resolutions 678, 686, 687, 688, 707, 715, 979, 1051, 1060, 1115, 1134, 1147, 1154, 1194, 1205, 1284 and 1441 were cited as justification.

What did Bush mean? He meant to obscure the fact that he was, in fact, seeking a permission slip. Considering how many other things about which he’s been dishonest – compassionate conservatism, the religion of peace, etc – the notion that the man is not particularly honest with the American people in his political speeches should hardly surprise anyone at this point in time. As further proof of Bush’s obeisance to the United Nations:

October 11, 2002. In a major victory for the White House, the Senate early Friday voted 77-23 to authorize President Bush to attack Iraq if Saddam Hussein refuses to give up weapons of mass destruction as required by U.N. resolutions.

November 8, 2002: UNSCR 1441 – Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, 1. Decides that Iraq has been and remains in material breach of its obligations under relevant resolutions, including resolution 687 (1991), in particular through Iraq’s failure to cooperate with United Nations inspectors and the IAEA, and to complete the actions required under paragraphs 8 to 13 of resolution 687 (1991);

…13. Recalls, in that context, that the Council has repeatedly warned Iraq that it will face serious consequences as a result of its continued violations of its obligations;

March 20, 2003: U.S.-led forces began the major ground invasion aimed at overthrowing Saddam Hussein as Iraqis braced for the intense “awe and shock” airstrike campaign that could be launched at any time….

May 25, 2003: As the United States and Britain put forward a new UN resolution underpinning Iraq’s future government, Baghdad was rocked by more deadly blasts and US troops battled Shiite militiamen in the capital’s Sadr City slum. Britain said the resolution pledged a full transfer of sovereignty and a key role for the United Nations in Iraq.