Prometheus 6

Kerry vs. Kerry
What does "the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time" mean?
by William Kristol
09/07/2004 12:20:00 PM

JOHN KERRY said yesterday that Iraq was "the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time." Translation: We would be better off if Saddam Hussein were still in power.

Let's assume that's a real translation for a minute.

Republicans talk about Saddam Hussein being in power like it had some…effect on Americans. They talk like he actually had power on the world stage.

Piffle.

Let me ask this question: How would Americans be worse off if Saddam Hussein were still in power?

No, worse, let me be the devil's advocate. If Saddam Hussein was still in power, Iraqi oil would still be flowing and our prices would be both lower and more stable. And don't bitch at me about Iraqis subjugated under his cruel tyranny as long as you eat fruits and vegetables picked by underpaid migrant workers, as long as you're wearing clothes marketed by Nike.

There'd be over a thousand Americans still alive, well over 10,000 uninjured, all at home with their loved ones.

Al-Qaida and the Taliban (who I have not been happy with since they smashed those ancient Buddhist relics, which is when I became aware of them) could have been totally smashed, Afghanistan properly rebuilt with the assistance of the entire world, under the leadership of America.

We would still hold the moral high ground in the world (little racist mud on our shoes, but). We would not be considered degenerate military rape monkeys by quite so many people.

Vast amounts of money could have been directed at our social problems (if you're a progressive) or simply not spent (if you're a conservative)

Would we be better off? Seriously.