Lick Your Finger, Senator Daschle

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Lick Your Finger, Senator Daschle
by Linda A. Prussen-Razzano, Dallas Bureau Chief

September 16, 2002

"Candidly Yours"

Linda A. Prussen-Razzano "If force proves necessary to resolve the crisis, we will do everything we can to prevent innocent people from getting hurt. But make no mistake: Saddam Hussein must bear full responsibility for every casualty that results." - Former President Clinton, February 1998.

With the appalling amount of misinformation being spread recently by the mainstream media and Senator Daschle (right), it's time to set the record straight.

First, the mainstream media implies President Bush has a personal vendetta against Saddam and wants to clean up former President Bush's "mess" in Iraq. President Bush may have a personal vendetta against Saddam for the thwarted assassination attempt against his father's life, but the decision not to take out Saddam Hussein was made by the United Nations, not President Bush. Lest we forget, it was the Democrats in Congress who hamstrung former President Bush on this issue. Moreover, we won the Persian Gulf War. Only in the mainstream media would a resounding victory be declared otherwise.

Second, the mainstream media claims President Bush has changed national nuclear policy by implementing a "first strike" posture. President Clinton, in November of 1997, signed Presidential Decision Directive #60 which changed America's nuclear policy to include a "first strike" posture in the event of a perceived threat, not President Bush. The only caterwauling heard during that time came from the "no nukes" groups.

Third, Senator Daschle insists President Bush needs to consult Congress. The drumbeat has started for a formal declaration of war from Congress before invading a foreign country. Obviously, he's forgotten the precedent set by his beloved mentor, Clinton, in Kosovo, who rolled into Serbia without any such blessing and committed troops even before Congress authorized the spending for it. Senator Daschle had strong words for those who questioned the wisdom of attacking a former ally who had not, in any way, shape, or form, threatened the United States, but has "concerns" over attacking a present and known enemy that has threatened the United States, repeatedly lied about its capabilities, repeatedly violated numerous resolutions, repeatedly attacked American forces patrolling the area, and is presumed to be harboring terrorists?

Fourth, Senator Daschle claims he is still not convinced we need to attack Iraq. Pray, tell, which one his staffers didn't forward all the Congressional Research Service Issue Briefs on Iraq detailing the thousands of tons of chemicals and precursors Iraq has in their possession, the General Accounting Office reports on unauthorized dual-use transfers that violate the International Atomic Energy Association's safeguards, etc.? Obviously, he missed the one which advised that the United Nations has refused to officially sanction Iraq for years for attacks against American patrols in the area because doing so would authorize the United States to retaliate militarily. Just because the United Nations chooses not to recognize it, Senator Daschle, doesn't mean it isn't happening. Ah, yes, and why was he so gun-ho to support Clinton in 1998 during Clinton's bombing campaign, threatening the use of force to ensure compliance, but is suddenly experiencing great trepidation now?

Fifth, America should turn its attention to abuses taking place elsewhere, as some of our present "allies" are committing atrocities greater than those taking place in Iraq. Let's be perfectly clear, here. The President declared a war the terrorists who initiated September 11, and those that support them. He is doing something his predecessor didn't have the courage or moral fortitude to do; he's systematically eliminating anyone who poses an immediate threat to the United States. This is not a call to be the world's policeman; it's a call to do whatever is necessary to prevent another September 11.

Lick your fingers, Senator Daschle and the mainstream media, and stick them in the wind. You don't get it. After all this time and all that's happened, you still don't get it. For the first time in nearly a decade, we have a President who is putting America first, telling the United Nations to kiss our collective backsides, blatantly ignoring your furious scribbling, and thumbing his nose at the pretentious European Union. President Bush didn't start this war, but he's sure as heck going to end it, whether you support him or not. ***

Photo of Linda Prussen-Razzano courtesy of staff files
Photo of Senate Majority Tom Daschle (D-SD) courtesy of his Official Web Site