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Democrats in Self-Destruct Mode CCXXVIII

A house editorial in yesterday's Seattle Past Intelligence Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Hold on to your breakfast.

The numbers are eerie. We say, "9/11." In most of the world that same number is known as "11/9" — and now burned into memory is the companion, "11/3." Simple dates. Numbers on a calendar, a mark when terrorists have attacked on a mass scale. This is what war looks like in the 21st century.

As we look back on the year since the United States invaded Iraq, it's important to consider what that battle has meant to the larger campaign against terrorism. We have to ask, are we safer? Or, better, will we be safer soon?

America must ask careful questions about our past and future — something Vice President Dick Cheney told the Veterans of Foreign Wars in August 2002. After ticking off a list of the sins of Saddam Hussein, Cheney said, "In the face of such a threat, we must proceed with care, deliberation and consultation with our allies."

Indeed. President Bush deserves credit for his initial response to the challenges of terrorism. He built support, he got support and help from such countries as Iran. But then the focus shifted to Iraq and it was as if the war on terror was isolated to a far-off front. If nothing else, consider how much money the United States is spending "fighting terrorism" versus how much has been spent on the Iraq invasion and rebuilding efforts.

The Iraq war has not made us safer. It's been a diversion from the real war, a war that continues. Last week's terrorism in Spain is one more reminder that only a concerted global effort will make us all safer one day.

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Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Tue. 03/16/04 05:41:30 AM
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