August 29, 2002
Who Needs a War?
by Larry Hawes
Many times a battle of our supposed foes will serve more than one purpose. The first and obvious is to destroy the demon de jour before he, or it, can destroy all of America. The second purpose is to redirect attention away from current, potentially politically damaging issues and into fearful, attention getting, non-issues.
In today's climate of debate concerning our impending war with Iraq, the second purpose has been served perhaps better than an actual war ever could.
What happened to Enron? "Warning, look over here, Saddam is like Hitler."
What about the investigation into 9/11? "Warning, look over here, weapons of mass destruction."
How did Saddam get those weapons of mass destruction? "Warning, look over here, NUCLEAR threat from Saddam"
What about the many people currently detained in the 'war on terror' without legal representation? "Warning, look over here, Al Qaeda has moved to Iraq."
What about the energy task force documents being sought by the Judicial committee? "Warning, look over here, Al Qaeda kills little puppies, and they live in Iraq."
What about the oil pipeline currently set for construction through Afghanistan? "Warning look over here, we are going to have another war, against Hitler, before he gets us."
But in reality who needs a war, when the rumors of war may be so much more effective?
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