Now
that Saddam Hussein is dead, a look at what was said by those
who are now some of the biggest critics of the Bush
administration’s action regarding
"If
Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is
clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by
Bill Clinton went to the Pentagon on this occasion
to be briefed by top military officials about
"Iraq is a long way
from USA but, what happens there matters a great deal here.
For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use
nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our
allies is the greatest security threat we face."
-Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998,
This is a quote from Albright during an appearance
at
"He will use those
weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since
1983." -Sandy Berger,
This was at the same
"We
urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with
the U.S. Constitution and Laws, to take necessary actions,
(including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect
Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by
Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction
programs." -Letter to President Clinton, signed by Sens.
Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others Oct. 9, 1998,
According to the U.S. Senate website, the text of
this letter was signed by several Senators, both Democrat and
Republican, including Senator John McCain and Joseph
Lieberman.
"Saddam
Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass
destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the
region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection
process." -Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998,
The text of this statement by Nancy Pelosi is
posted on her congressional website.
"There is
no doubt that ... Saddam Hussein has invigorated his weapons
programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and
nuclear programs continue a pace and may be back to pre-Gulf
War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery
systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile
program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten
the
The only letter with this quote from December 5,
2001 that we could find did not include the participation of
Senator Bob Graham, but it was signed nine other senators
including Democrat Joe Lieberman. It urged President Bush to
take quicker action against
"We
begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant
and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has
ignored the mandated of the United Nations and is building
weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering
them." -Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002,
These were remarks from Senator Levin to a Senate
committee on that date.
"We
know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and
chemical weapons throughout his country.
This and the quote below was part of prepared
remarks for a speech in
"We
have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and
developing weapons of mass destruction." -Sen. Ted
Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002,
Part of a speech he gave at Johns Hopkins.
"The last
UN weapons inspectors left
On the floor of the Senate during debate over the
resolution that would authorize using force against
"I
will be voting to give the President of the United States the
authority to use force-- if necessary-- to disarm Saddam
Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of
mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to
our security." -Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002,
Senator
Kerry's comments were made to the Senate as part of the same
debate over the resolution to use force against Saddam
Hussein.
"There
is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working
aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have
nuclear weapons within the next five years ... We also should
remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has
made in development of weapons of mass destruction."
-Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002,
Senator Rockefeller's statements were a part of the
debate over using force against Saddam Hussein.
"He
has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11
years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that
he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and
any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do" -Rep.
Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002,
Senator Waxman's contribution to the Senate debate
over going to war.
"In
the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports
show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical
and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability,
and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and
sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members. It
is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will
continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and
chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear
weapons." -Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002,
Senator Clinton acknowledged the threat of Saddam
Hussein but said she did not feel that using force at that
time was a good option.
"Without
question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal,
murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime He presents a
particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently
prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating
-Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan.23.2003,
In a speech to
Sharon Hughes
is Founder and President of The Center for Changing Worldviews
and a radio talk show host on KDIA AM1640 in San
Francisco, RIGHTALK.com, and
online at Oneplace.com. Her column appears in many
recognized news sites and publications, most recently FRONTPAGEMAG.
She also writes for
NewsBusters.org.,
a division of The Media Research Center. For
further information visit her Websites www.changingworldviews.com,
WOMANTalk.us,
and Blog http://changingworldviews.blogspot.com.
Radio Talk Show Changing Worldviews, KDIA AM1640 San
Francisco Bay Area and Around the world Online at Oneplace.com
http://www.ediblog.com