A Commentary: War Rhetoric Aside… As the conflict with Iraq fast approaches, despite UN indecision and world-wide demonstrations against this war, it seems that something has been forgotten. It is simply this: The United States of America is already at war. On September 11th of the year 2001, this country was attacked by suicidal murdering terrorists. More than 2800 innocent people were maliciously killed, deliberately and without approval of the United Nations Organization. War was thereby declared by terrorist enemies of our civilized society. Americans have every right to respond to that attack on our nation, and shame on those other civilized nations that are too venal or self-absorbed to see it that way. Immediately after this horrific event, our president vowed that terrorists and nations that supported terrorism would be held equally accountable. He assured us that there would be retaliation against these barbaric enemies of our nation and civilization. The president’s words were well received and applauded by true Americans, in full agreement that this cowardly act should be forcefully addressed. Such a heinous attack could not go unpunished. We were at war! In all of the recent rhetoric spouted in UN chambers and elsewhere, it seems that this fact has been lost. We are at war! We aren’t required to validate our stance against our enemies, nor are we under any obligation to turn to the UN for permission to protect ourselves in this war. It is in self-defense that we now act to squelch the Iraq regime that supports terrorism. This point has not been well made by our president, a politician used to diplomacy, even when tactful words work against his goals. Buried in the rhetoric about ridding Hussein of weapons of mass destruction, and the need to free Iraqi’s people from his brutal rule, and the violation of UN dictates, the salient fact is that we are at war with vicious enemies, who seek to destroy our civilized way of life. We have every right to act in self-defense, and if we know what is good for us, we will never hesitate to act. There will be those muddled thinkers clamoring for proof that Iraq’s leaders have aided and abetted terrorism. I remind them that it is documented that Saddam Hussein has offered and has sent $25,000 to families of Palestinian suicide murderers terrorizing citizens of Israel. Yes, these are terrorists, despite their grievances. These are the types of uncivilized creatures, killers of innocent people, who, by the words of our president, have been declared our enemies. Recall the president stated that all supporters of terrorism would be treated exactly as terrorists, themselves. By rewarding murdering terrorists’ families, Saddam Hussein promotes and supports terror. This is akin to hiring "hit men". And what American can forget the glee in the faces and voices of Palestinian children in the wake of the World Trade Center atrocity? Here a new crop of terrorists is being nurtured. Further, the Iraqi regime permits, and fully endorses, the presence of terrorist training camps within its borders. Hussein has used brutal terrorist tactics in disposing of thousands of Kurds and others that displeased him. Certainly, there is much more viable intelligence in our government’s hands offering proof of Hussein’s acts of terror and further complicity with terrorists. The only questions to be asked are these: Why have we not attacked the Iraqi regime long before this? Why have we let the ineffectual UN interminably stall the process? Why have many other civilized nations failed to back us, without being bribed or cajoled? Yes, Iraq’s regime is not the only supporter of terrorism, but it’s in our best interests to deal with one rogue nation at a time. Perhaps, a lesson will be learned by other potential targets in our show of determination to remove Hussein’s regime from tyrannical power. Again, we are at war! Terrorists and the Iraqi regime are our enemies. We, if true and clear thinking Americans, must support this martial response against our enemies. We are honor bound to avenge the 2800 plus innocents murdered in New York City. We are within our rights to ignore rhetoric of the snail-paced UN and that of the uninformed demonstrators that seek to weaken our resolve. Be assured that, when terrorists inflict massive casualties elsewhere, perhaps in Paris, Berlin, Mexico City, or Santiago, we will gain staunch allies among those under attack, some of whom now block our efforts, and, in that regard, abet terrorists, themselves. No sane civilized person wants war, but only an obtuse or cowardly person would stand and do nothing when threatened, or attacked. The difficulty is finding, recognizing and thwarting our dangerous enemies. Once more I remind all that we have been at war since the fateful day of September 11, 2001. Is this news to many people in this country? © RICKMACK (jotoma@bellsouth.net(RICHARD MCCUSKER)) ~INDEX PAGE~