unprecedented access to any site in Iraq that they requested, as they searched for those ‘weapons of mass destruction’. They were finding none.
• Some of the US’s closest allies, including Russia, Canada and France, refused to participate in any invasion, wanting the weapons inspectors to continue their work, and finding dubious US proclamations about the risk Iraq posed to the world.
• Throughout the world, millions of people protested against the coming invasion.
So based on those three facts, there are some questions Mrs Clinton has never adequately answered:
• Why authorize a war, when the reason for it, in this case to remove weapons of mass destruction, was doubtful at best? If one is going to start a war shouldn’t one at least wait to see if the reason is valid?
• Is there no value in listening to the thoughtful consideration of trusted allies? If many other countries, especially those that don’t rely on US foreign aid, and are therefore somewhat freer to express an honest opinion, oppose a major US policy, one fraught with risks, shouldn’t some attention be paid to them?
• Lastly, if US elected representatives want to ignore world opinion, that is one thing. But with massive opposition to the invasion demonstrated in the streets of the US, does that not call perhaps for a delay in the war process, so more information can be obtained, and the worries of the populace considered?
Apparently, such trivial considerations as there not being a real reason for war, opposition by allies, and the voice of the citizenry, were not worthy of Mrs Clinton’s notice. Rather, she may have thought, don’t risk appearing to be weak on terrorism.
Mrs Clinton may have been short-sighted, and missed an important opportunity. It can be argued that she, and not that upstart senator from Illinois, would have been nominated for president in 2008, had she voted against that authorization for war. And while the Democratic base may have a short memory, she will need whatever remains of the real left in order to win; too many people on the right despise her, so she will need the votes of everyone left of center.
But can she rely on them? This writer sincerely hopes not. While the Republican nominating circus has just begun, with the expected clowns performing for their base, it is time for Democrats to see Mrs Clinton for the opportunist she is, and look for a viable alternative. That such a person will emerge is unlikely, and this is indicative of the sad state of political and governmental affairs in the US.
Excerpted from: ‘Hillary Clinton: the Savior That Wasn’t’. Courtesy: Counterpunch.org