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Be Careful of What You Wish for, Mr. PresidentAccording to Bob Woodward, in his soon to be published new book, “Plan of Attack”, President George W. Bush ordered Donald Rumsfeld to draw up war plans for Iraq less than two months after the start of U.S. operations in Afghanistan. Woodward also reports that the President was so concerned that this decision would lead to controversy that he chose not to inform a number of key Administration staffers - including Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and George Tenet. Woodward quotes Bush as stating: ``I knew what would happen if people thought we were developing a potential war plan for Iraq. It was such a high-stakes moment and it would look like that I was anxious to go to war. And I'm not anxious to go to war.''Coupled to the revelations in Richard Clarke's “Against All Enemies”, Woodward's reporting, if accurate, paints an ugly portrait that refutes the President's protestation that “I'm not anxious to go to war”. It is obvious that George W. Bush was completely obsessed with Saddam Hussein. It is obvious that the then Congressman's son who conspicuously avoided service in Vietnam was, as President, eager to thrust United States military forces in harm's way, in support of an ill conceived, inadequately planned, utterly premature, spectacularly divisive, optional military adventure – that most objective observers believe has only strengthened Osama Bin Laden's ability to attract new recruits to his cause. Our glorious, brash, self-styled “war” President got the battle he wished for. In my opinion, with Saturn nearing its climactic conjunction in June 2004 with the natal Suns of the Commander-in-Chief, and the Nation itself, it is increasing likely that Bush's war will cost him his Presidency. It is also my opinion that the Founding Fathers will rest easier knowing that an authentic American soldier, statesman and patriot, John Forbes Kerry, will restore their characteristic blend of sanity and restraint to the direction of American foreign policy in the new year. Kerry-America 2004, The Founding Fathers' Faith Restored Matthew Carnicelli © 2004. All rights reserved. Originally published April 16, 2004. |