By Steve Rhodes
“Russia has pointed to America’s decision to go into Iraq as an example of Western hypocrisy,” the president said on Wednesday.
“Now, it is true that the Iraq war was a subject of vigorous debate, not just around the world but in the United States, as well. I participated in that debate, and I opposed our military intervention there. But even in Iraq, America sought to work within the international system.”
History says differently:
“The United Nations secretary general, Kofi Annan, declared explicitly for the first time last night that the US-led war on Iraq was illegal,” the Guardian reported in 2004.
“Mr Annan said that the invasion was not sanctioned by the UN security council or in accordance with the UN’s founding charter. In an interview with the BBC World Service broadcast last night, he was asked outright if the war was illegal. He replied: ‘Yes, if you wish.’
“He then added unequivocally: ‘I have indicated it was not in conformity with the UN charter. From our point of view and from the charter point of view it was illegal.'”
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That’s besides the obvious that lying a world into war violates the international system.
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But that’s not all that’s wrong with Obama’s statement.
1. “The Iraq war was a subject of vigorous debate.”
So vigorous that both the New York Times and Washington Post have since apologized for one-sided coverage that relied on the falsities of the Bush administration.
2. “I participated in that debate.”
Not true.
Consider:
“Obama gave the speech not just because of a desire to speak out about the coming war, [the book’s author asserts] but also to try to curry favor with a potential political patron, Bettylu Saltzman, a stalwart among Chicago’s liberal elite, and to win over political adviser David Axelrod, who was close to Saltzman.
“‘Obama, still an unannounced candidate for the U.S. Senate, did not immediately agree to speak [at the rally],’ according to an advance copy of the book obtained by the Tribune. ‘But he told Saltzman that he would think it over.’
“After consulting with a political aide, Obama, who was personally opposed to the invasion, agreed to make the speech.”
And then:
“In October 2002, Barack Obama gave his now-vaunted anti-war speech. Neither the Tribune nor the Sun-Times covered it. The Defender mentioned Obama’s presence at the anti-war rally where the speech took place, but did not mention the speech itself.”
So Obama reluctantly gave a speech that few people heard and went unreported.
There is no record of Obama ever mentioning Iraq again before the U.S. invasion in March 2003.
3. “I opposed our military intervention there.”
Once. In that speech.
And: “Obama Did Hedge His Iraq War Opposition At Times.”
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Bonus Lie: “It’s not America that filled the Maidan with protesters. It was Ukrainians.”
Maybe try taking credit when it’s due.
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Comments welcome.
Posted on March 27, 2014