The disgraced former president's rhetorical victory lap that came before protracted bloodshed deserves all of its notoriety 20 years later.
While touting the war effort as entirely noble, Bush’s “mission accomplished” speech credited the Pentagon’s “new tactics and precision weapons” for avoiding “violence against civilians.” The president added that “it is a great moral advance when the guilty have far more to fear from war than the innocent.”
By dodging inconvenient truths about the impacts of U.S. warfare on “the innocent,” Bush was reasserting the usual pretenses of presidents who elide the actual human toll of their wars while predicting successful outcomes. Both Bush and Obama would later be widely faulted for voicing undue optimism about fulfilling a war’s “mission.” But the critiques have rarely devoted much attention to scrutinizing the assumptions that propelled support for the missions.
But we might want to ask ourselves: What if Bush had been correct in May 2003—and U.S. forces really were at the end of major combat operations in Iraq? What if Obama had been correct in May 2012—and U.S. forces were able to “complete our mission” in Afghanistan? In each case, conventional wisdom would have gauged success in terms of military victory rather than such matters as adherence to international law or regard for human life.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
'2 million years of speaking, 6,000 years of writing': Mystery of 26-letter alphabetJohn McWhorter, a linguist at Columbia University, has plans to guide viewers through the intriguing evolution of writing in his new 16-part series.
Leer más »
Best Indie-Rock Venue - Larimer LoungeWhen the Larimer Lounge opened just over twenty years ago, there were hardly any businesses or storefronts on its stretch of Larimer Street.
Leer más »
The Last of Us Season 2 'Months, Not Years' From Start; Tattoo Clue?NeilDruckmann & CraigMazin offered a promising update on Season 2 of HBO's PedroPascal & BellaRamsey-starring TheLastOfUs: VIDEO / HBO Max HBOMax TLOU
Leer más »
Prince William, Kate Middleton celebrate 12 years of marriage with sweet photoThe Prince and Princess of Wales tied the knot after eight years of dating on April 29, 2011, during a ceremony held at Westminster Abbey.
Leer más »
Ex-CFO Sentenced 3 Years in Prison for Stealing from SPACs to Trade Meme Stocks, CryptoMorgenthau was fired from the African Gold in August 2022.
Leer más »