10/9/2002 5:00:00 PM PERRY / Iraq’s American loyal opposition
By Brian Perry
Reasonably Right
A healthy organization always contains a loyal opposition that serves as balance to the current leading and mainstream forces. These voices of dissent often are the loudest at the most crucial times, and it is these times in which they are needed most. Government is no exception. America is at one of those crucial times as we prepare for war with Iraq.
I support President George W. Bush’s vision for dealing with the Iraq situation as both part of our ongoing war with terrorism, as well as in and of itself a threat to our national security. But I approach with hesitation some decisions his administration makes, with my ear toward the protests of libertarians. Immediate pragmatism in the halls of government often trumps the more proper but difficult methods of conservatism.
So though I tend to disagree with those Democrats opposing the Bush Administration’s plan for Iraq, and will argue fervently with those of that opinion in an attempt (often vainly so) to persuade them to my position, I am not unsympathetic to their concerns. Often I believe their concerns are legitimate, just not applicable to the current debate.
If Democrats want to argue foreign policy and national security to score political points before an election, I will not question their patriotism, just their priorities. I believe they, if faced with the realization it could damage our nation, would not stoop to those tactics.
Just in their arrogance of power, they do not believe the manipulation of the electorate has real impact on the movement of nations in history, or could cause vulnerability for American soldiers on the battlefield.
If Democrats want to argue foreign policy and national security because of their ideology, again I will not question their patriotism. Americans enjoy the freedom of thought and political expression. Our tree of democracy grows strong with roots in robust debate.
If Democrats want to argue foreign policy and national security to differentiate themselves from President Bush for a potential White House drive in 2004, I still will not question their patriotism. But again, it is foolishness to treat war as a political opportunity.
I may disagree with the loyal opposition. I may be disappointed with the loyal opposition. I may denounce the ideology of the loyal opposition. But I know that when the time comes to speak with one American voice to the international community, and to our solders, we will do so. Whether the loyal opposition is Democrat one year or Republican the next, the important feature is not that they are the opposition, but that they are loyal.
So here comes then three Democratic Congressmen: David Bonior of Michigan, Jim McDermott of Washington and Mike Thompson of California. These are no Democratic lightweights, until recently Bonior was the second ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives.
These three elected officials, termed by the Weekly Standard as the Baghdad Democrats, recently toured Iraq and served either willingly or foolishly as propaganda tools by Saddam Hussein’s regime. Pictured in the Iraqi press and television, the trio toured hospitals and viewed the suffering of the Iraqi children, caused allegedly by the cruelty of American foreign policy.
They appeared from Baghdad on ABC’s “This Week,” where McDermott reiterated his belief that the American people can not trust President Bush, that he is lying to the American people in order to start a war. If you wonder whom you can trust, McDermott suggests Saddam Hussein. We should take him at his word and give him the benefit of the doubt, according to McDermott.
McDermott and Bonior are both veterans of the Vietnam War and have attempted to use that service to insulate themselves from criticism. Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, who spent years as a prisoner of war, said he could forgive Jane Fonda for appearing with the North Vietnamese Communists during the war. He said she was just a misguided and confused young girl. What these congressmen did, he believes, is much worse. When asked if he believed they gave aid and comfort to the enemy, he reluctantly said yes.
Aid and comfort to the enemy is the Constitutional definition of treason. There is no loyalty in that opposition.
Democratic leaders have distanced themselves from the Baghdad Boys, either saying their comments and actions crossed the line, were inappropriate, or simply refusing to comment. Good for them, though they could stand to be more courageous in their denouncements.
As if he hadn’t said enough, upon McDermott’s return, he held a town hall meeting where he said that President Bush is attempting “a kind of bloodless, silent coup.” He continued saying, “This president is trying to bring to himself all the power to become an emperor — to create Empire America.”
I don’t know if I should question his patriotism. I think I should just question his sanity.
Brian Perry is a columnist for the Madison County Journal and editor of MagnoliaReport.com.
