People's History: Bush 1 and Gulf War, 1988-92 (Chap 21)
Only Time, EnyaAgainst the Wind, Bob Seger
The Accentus Choir
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Summary The needs were two for Mister Bush: cheap oil and some political repair. The foil, Saddam Hussein, would serve to guarantee the President's defining victory. Chapter The Cold War ended, but the military sought to justify itself, so naturally it fought some wars. First Noriega, brutal Panama oppressor, long an ally of America, became expendable. And then Iraq: Saddam Hussein, the perfect enemy for Bush to bomb with honor. Yes, Saddam had overthrown Kuwait, but sanctions had been working. But to demonstrate our power was the most inviting strategy, politically and also as a guarantee of Middle Eastern oil. Of course, the "free Kuwait" entreaty and the "building secret nukes" debate were used to stir a balking Congress and 'inform' the public. Soon the whirlwind "Desert Storm" was raging. Laser bombs consoled the public: 'smart' and accurate attacks would serve to take apart their government and spare the citizens. Except it wasn't true. Conventional explosives swept the towns and countryside, and many thousands died. And all the slaughter happened from the US side, and all the media observed in doe-like awe as soldiers of Iraq attempted to withdraw but felt the firestorm from behind. With each report of victory the public cried, "We must support the troops!" And then we left. Saddam was still in charge, Iraqi military backers still at large to massacre the Kurds and other enemies. A hundred thousand children perished from disease and hunger. Thanks to Bush and US government and business needs we swept aside the argument of weakness in America. For Vietnam the ghost was gone, eradicated with the bomb and surge of Desert Storm, 'proportionality' an unimportant concept in our victory. |