Facts on the Table, Mr. Bush

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Facts on the Table, Mr. Bush
by J. Edward Tremlett, Columnist

September 10, 2002

"Down On the rANT Farm"

J. Edward Tremlett I think it was Will Rogers who said that the middle of the road was the surest place to get run over. If it was him, he was - as usual - absolutely right. It's a really dangerous place to be when weighty issues are at stake, and I never like to be out there for long.

But when it comes to the question of whether to invade Iraq or not, I'm sorry to say that I'm still standing right on the white stripe. Despite however much noise I've heard from both sides of story, I'm not fully convinced by either. And war is nothing to be supported, or avoided, if you're not damn sure what's going on.

Now, I'm not completely on the sidelines, here. I have made my mind up on why we SHOULDN'T do this.

We should not invade just because Saddam is trying to build up his WMDs, as we can always use various tricks to find where they're being assembled and blow them sky-high. Nor should we invade Iraq to protect Israel, as recent history has proven time and time again that Israel can take care of itself. And under no circumstances should we invade Iraq to use it as a starting point to roll back regimes that we might not want to live under, or retaliate for what various radical Muslims have done. None of that snotty, neo-con crap.

There are only two reasons that we should attack Iraq. The first is that we know, without any reasonable doubt, that Saddam is either going to use his WMDs, or give them to someone who will. The second is that he had a direct hand in 911. Either one of them will do for me, but that's my bottom line.

So here I am, waiting to get the facts instead of the noise. And so far, I haven't been satisfied with what I've been getting. I've had my fill of papers from lawsuits, rumors, suppositions other such nonsense. I want to be told the truth.

The Bush Administration's been playing it pretty cagey with that truth. We get all these great speeches about what a tyrant Saddam is, and how he did this and did that (some of which he did while we were backing him, incidentally). And we get all these interviews where we're told the sky is falling... maybe... we're sure... we think... yeah. Hey, Condi's got a doctorate - you should believe what she tells you, man.

But behind closed doors - in Congress, in the White House, and at Camp David with English PM Tony Blair - it would seem that more compelling evidence is being passed around. The sort of evidence that makes the normally-loudmouthed amongst the stallers in Congress go a little quiet and say they need to think about it. The sort of evidence that makes the Administration willing to commit troops to two theatres at once. The sort that makes them willing to screw up all the progress they've made thus far in the Middle East - if you want to call that progress - if need be in order to take Saddam out.

Those are facts that I need. Those are facts that I want. And if we're going to tell the American people that they need to be willing to shoulder another burden - to send their sons and daughters off to fight, and open their wallets just that much more - then those are facts that all Americans should be told.

Bush has a perfect opportunity to present those facts. He's planned to address the United Nations in the next few days. While he's making his final case to the world, he should also be making his final case to the American people. In fact, I'd say that he has to.

Most Americans supported what we did during Operation Desert Storm because it was the right thing to do. And most Americans supported what we did - and what we're still doing - in Afghanistan because we knew what we were doing was right. With Iraq, the American people don't seem to be as sure, and I'm willing to bet that's because they feel the same way I do.

So help us support your plans, Mr. Bush: treat us like adults. I realize that some of what you know shouldn't be told to the world due to reasons of national security. But if there's compelling proof to be found of Saddam's future plans, or his having had a direct hand in 911, and you have it, then let's see it on the table. Let's know, once and for all, that what you want to do is the right thing to do, and for all the right reasons. ***

J. Edward Tremlett is a published author, political thinker and self-described "mean-spirited crank." He lives with his wife and two cats in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

"Where do we go from here? - The words are coming out all weird - Where are you now when I need you?" - "The Bends" - Radiohead.

Photo of J. Edward Tremlett courtesy of staff files