It's so small
Mar. 19th, 2003 02:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thebratqueenI read Bush's letter to Congress about the war.
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), and based on information available to me, including that in the enclosed document, I determine that:
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither (A) adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and
(2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
It's... so small. And so bureaucratic. I'm surprised there isn't a form he could fill out with a checkbox for "Are you declaring war? Yes ___ No ___" I mean yeah, sure, enclosed documents but still - that's it? Two paragraphs of buzzword bingo which is so emotionally unattached to the magnitude of the content that it might as well have a PS of "Also I am ordering some new staples"?
This is what we allow presidents to declare war with? I mean seriously, that's it?
It doesn't work for me. I think we need something a little more like this:
Dear Mr Speaker: (Dear Mr President:)
Consistent with [name of relevant laws and resolutions] I am declaring war against [name of country] because of [specific actions, complete with documentation].
In doing so, I am fully aware that I have ordered human beings, both American and otherwise, to die. I am also aware that I have ordered others to be horribly injured, possibly with no hope of recovery. As nothing is controllable, I realize I have also taken the risk that this command will result in the deaths and/or injury of children.
I, personally, will be causing the destruction of property. I will be destroying people's livelihoods. I will be creating chaos.
I am aware of this, and proceed anyway, because I have been given cause to believe that there is no other recourse.
Furthermore, I swear on my office and to the American people that:
1) I am declaring this war in good cause, and not because I hope to further my own agenda, to falsely increase my popularity, or to distract from problems here at home.
2) I am declaring this war in good, provable cause, and not because of some phantom link to 9-11.
3) I am declaring this war, and fully believe that years from now I will be able to look into the eyes of a four year old child and say with all truth and sincerity that the horrible things that occurred during this war, for war is always horrible no matter how good the cause, were necessary and unavoidable.
Finally, though I may not personally hold the guns, drive the machines, or push the buttons, I will recognize that each and every single death, every single loss of life on both our side and theirs, is my fault. I take responsibility and willingly make myself a murderer for what I believe is a just cause.
Sincerely,
The President of the United States
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), and based on information available to me, including that in the enclosed document, I determine that:
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither (A) adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and
(2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
It's... so small. And so bureaucratic. I'm surprised there isn't a form he could fill out with a checkbox for "Are you declaring war? Yes ___ No ___" I mean yeah, sure, enclosed documents but still - that's it? Two paragraphs of buzzword bingo which is so emotionally unattached to the magnitude of the content that it might as well have a PS of "Also I am ordering some new staples"?
This is what we allow presidents to declare war with? I mean seriously, that's it?
It doesn't work for me. I think we need something a little more like this:
Dear Mr Speaker: (Dear Mr President:)
Consistent with [name of relevant laws and resolutions] I am declaring war against [name of country] because of [specific actions, complete with documentation].
In doing so, I am fully aware that I have ordered human beings, both American and otherwise, to die. I am also aware that I have ordered others to be horribly injured, possibly with no hope of recovery. As nothing is controllable, I realize I have also taken the risk that this command will result in the deaths and/or injury of children.
I, personally, will be causing the destruction of property. I will be destroying people's livelihoods. I will be creating chaos.
I am aware of this, and proceed anyway, because I have been given cause to believe that there is no other recourse.
Furthermore, I swear on my office and to the American people that:
1) I am declaring this war in good cause, and not because I hope to further my own agenda, to falsely increase my popularity, or to distract from problems here at home.
2) I am declaring this war in good, provable cause, and not because of some phantom link to 9-11.
3) I am declaring this war, and fully believe that years from now I will be able to look into the eyes of a four year old child and say with all truth and sincerity that the horrible things that occurred during this war, for war is always horrible no matter how good the cause, were necessary and unavoidable.
Finally, though I may not personally hold the guns, drive the machines, or push the buttons, I will recognize that each and every single death, every single loss of life on both our side and theirs, is my fault. I take responsibility and willingly make myself a murderer for what I believe is a just cause.
Sincerely,
The President of the United States
