The Temptation of War The

The Temptation of War

The arguments of most, indeed, almost all, opponents of war with Iraq are so childish and absurd that it takes an effort of will to avoid being pushed into support for a war. But each of us has a moral obligation to make a real effort to focus on the serious arguments pro and con, and not to be pushed one way or another by the inanity of the opponents or proponents of war. (At the present time, the prominent opponents hold the edge in childish arguments, but we’re starting to see foolish and childish arguments emerge among those who support going to war, as well, especially in the “liberate Iraq” rallies of recent weeks.)

Let’s take the argument of the sappy and self absorbed actors, the Martin Sheens and Susan Sarandons, who tell us that we can “win without war” and that we should support inspectors rather than war. Why are the inspectors there in the first place? Isn’t it because of the credible threat of war? If you support a rigorous inspections regime, which such folks insist they do support, then you must support the credible threat of war. You can’t have one without the other. Their claim simply shouldn’t be taken seriously. It’s childish.

Or consider the sentimental invocations of principles of national self determination. Are the millions of people victimized by a brutal one-party state enjoying “self determination”? I’m pretty sure that, if a war is undertaken (and it seems almost certain to start soon), there will be jubliation on the part of huge numbers of people who will consider themselves liberated from a despotic regime that relies on torture, genocide, and terror.

Finally, there is the invocation of international law, an argument I just had pushed at me this evening. Without the support of the UN Security Council, it is alleged, any war against the Iraqi state is illegal. Was that true of the war against the Yugoslav state? Where was the UN Security Council resolution in that case? Where were the millions of people marching when President Clinton attacked and invaded a state that had not attacked the U.S? Where were Susan Sarandon and Martin Sheen? (When Democrats murder innocent people by sending cruise missiles to blow up pharmaceutical factories in Africa, who among that crowd even notices? It seems that party affiliation means more than one might expect.)

Anyone interested in actually adult arguments against war with the Iraqi state should check out “Why the United States Should Not Attack Iraq,” by Ivan Eland and Bernard Gourley. The arguments make sense and don’t rely on childishness or sentimentality. They’re the foundation for an adult discussion of very adult issues.