About the war against Iran, most polls find it especially unpopular among Democrats, independents and even some Republicans who feel double-crossed because President Donald Trump campaigned against “endless wars” and promised not to start a new one.
As to Trump’s criticism of “endless wars,” supporters should not have taken it seriously for several reasons. First, we have “endless wars” because we have endless enemies. And they have a vote. Second, one could argue that the war against Iran is not new. After all, Iran’s leaders have been calling for America’s annihilation for 47 years. Third, presidents make decisions based upon events, many of which are unforeseen.
Woodrow Wilson campaigned in 1914 to keep America out of World War I. He ultimately took the country to war. Before our entry into World War II, several Americans supported an anti-war movement called America First. A couple of college students named Gerald R. Ford and John F. Kennedy supported this movement. Then came Pearl Harbor.
Assuming Iran was on the brink of acquiring the ability to make a nuclear bomb — their own negotiators admitted Iran had enough enriched uranium to make 11 bombs — this left Trump a couple of options: do nothing, the route taken by previous presidents, or stop them. Rather than kick the can down the road, Trump chose to stomp on it.
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, prominent lawyer David Boies chastised fellow Democrats for opposing the war and letting their animosity against Trump cloud their judgment:
“If (Trump) hadn’t acted, his successor would have been left with an even more dangerous choice than his predecessors left him. … What is harder to understand, and particularly troubling for our country, is opposition rooted simply in antipathy toward Mr. Trump himself.”
As for the war’s unpopularity, opponents call Trump a liar as to the intel purporting to show Iran is an imminent threat. Critics say he failed to consult, let alone get support from, our allies.
But consider the decision President George W. Bush made to go to war. Many now call the Iraq War a blunder of epic proportions. Much of the country believes Bush “lied us into the war.”
Let’s revisit. At first, 72% of Americans, according to Gallup, supported that war. Bush obtained resolutions in support of the war from both the House and the Senate. The widely held belief that Iraq had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction was only one of the many reasons set forth in the resolution. The resolution also noted that Iraq used chemical weapons on its own people and on the Iranians; that Iraq was stealing from the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme and likely using the money for military purposes; that Iraq was shooting at the British and American planes patrolling the southern and northern no-fly zones; and that Saddam Hussein had attempted to assassinate President George H.W. Bush.
George W. Bush formed a “coalition of the willing” consisting of 48 nations, including the U.S., U.K., Australia and Poland, that committed troops to the effort.
The war became unpopular. Many denounced Bush as a liar and a war criminal, despite his pre-war effort to form a coalition, to get buy-in from both Democrats and Republicans and to obtain a unanimous resolution from the U.N.
Trump did none of this before going to war against Iran. He is as excoriated as viciously as was Bush, who did all the things critics accuse Trump of not doing. So the real issue comes down to whether Trump is doing the right thing.
During the Iran-Iraq war, the Iranian regime used children to clear minefields — costing tens of thousands of young lives. There was a term for this. It is a war crime.
Iran is now mobilizing boys as young as 12 to fight the U.S. and Israel. There’s a term for this. It is a war crime.
And it is forcing citizens to form human chains to stand in front of military targets. There is a term for this. It is a war crime.
This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.
This is why this fanatical regime cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. This is why Trump is correct to implore the civilized world to join the fight.
Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an “Elderado,” visit here. Follow Larry on X @larryelder. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage.
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As always, since President Trump is not one of the political favorites in the political realm, his enemies will continue to throw out false rhetoric to as to mislead the populace. The President is only doing what he feels is correct with available intelligence and advise from his cabinet and military advisors. MSM will continue to stir the pot of discontent. The Democrats are only pi$$ed off because their stocks in China and Russia are in turmoil. They will continue to attack the President and hope for a victory in the midterms where they can try impeachment against the President and VP to put a Democrat back at the helm in the WH.
Because politicians typically do nothing, it always ends up with someone having to do something. In this case only President Trump has the guts and conviction to challenge those regimes, that no one has the courage to challenge. All these UN/NATO countries sit on their hands while nutjob scorched earth fanatics want to kill complete strangers. Does anyone care that these evil people are on record for their declarations?
Iran deserves what’s happening, end of discussion.
So what’s actually happening besides the world’s going to be a safer place?
Instead of creating a bunch of useless work from home government bureaucrat jobs that waste taxpayer money. Trump is exercising our military complex by creating a need for new ordinance. He’s creating wealth through the compound effect of industry where money spent for arms creates jobs and compounds it’s effect when companies make purchases and employees spend those dollars.
Additionally, our military supply chains need to be refreshed at times to keep them viable. They need to be ready to supply this country with means to defend itself. Exercising this industrial muscle is a notice to our enemies that we’re up to date and ready should any of them be dumb enough to try something.
Yeah, America First!
Press , public opinion and UN were quiet when Somali used 12 years old soldiers, when Palestinian braves use women, who use children as shields.The list goes on, the hypocrisy is endless.
How would they explain an American city or base nuked by Iran?
The same Denouncers would criticize DJT if Iran sent a nuclear missile to the USA for for him not seeing the danger and stopping the attack. The Democrat-Marxist-Mafia Party andRINOs are so full of hate
Not the Pope or anyone else spoke up about Iran exporting terror all over the Middle East and world. Military and former military that I know are all for ending the Iranian Regime!
And the world including the Pope is oblivious to what the Iranian Regime has done for decades. No
One thought about stopping them except Donald Trump!
Avoiding war at all cost is the goal. When that goal isn’t able to be reached after intense negotiations you go to war to win – to win. And it’s not over until it’s over. Something we seem to have a great deal of trouble with.
Only by those who don’t know history and want a nuke up their posterior!
Such cruelty by Iran, and it’s sympathetic nations. Trump is a genuine hero.
Those who want a nuke on the USA are against Trump!