Stephen F. Kislock, III – 8/13/08

This page was last updated on August 13, 2008.

Russia doing what U.S. did to Iraq; Stephen F. Kislock, III; Beaver County Times; August 13, 2008.

Most of Mr. Kislock’s 30+ letters over the last four years have been Republican-bashing exercises.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“The Russian humanitarian military operation in Georgia is reminiscent of the United States’ Iraqi Freedom.”

[RWC] Is Mr. Kislock telling us our involvement in Iraq is a “humanitarian military operation?” I could be wrong, but I don’t believe that was Mr. Kislock’s intent. <g>

“Russia’s reason for its military operation is more straightforward, ‘war crimes’ against civilians in the capital of South Ossetia, whereas in Iraq you have any number of reasons for the U.S. invasion — weapons of mass destruction, ignoring United Nations resolutions, Saddam’s involvement in Sept. 11, 2001, oil, Saddam’s crimes against humanity, pick your reason.”

[RWC] The list of reasons for invading Iraq is contained in the Iraq War Resolution passed by Congress.

I’m glad Mr. Kislock is so certain of the reasons behind the Georgia/Russia conflict. Personally, I’ve heard conflicting stories.

“The U.S. invasion of Iraq opened the Pandora’s box for wars of aggression. Geo-political-energy wars will be all the rage in the 21st century.”

[RWC] Aren’t all wars “wars of aggression?” So let me get this straight, Hitler invading Poland, France, etc.; Japan attacking the U.S.; Red China invading Korea; the USSR invading Afghanistan; et cetera didn’t open “the Pandora’s box for wars of aggression,” but our action in Iraq did?

“Bush II made promises to the president of Georgia, in effect saying, ‘Poke the Bear in the eye, we are with you.’ Bush I promised the Kurds that if they rebelled against Saddam that we were with them. Empty promises and many thousands died.”

[RWC] I know Mr. Kislock would like us to believe otherwise, but the U.S. had a close relationship with Georgia long before President Bush II took office.

“The United States, as a debtor nation, must get money from foreign governments to fulfill its 21st century world Manifest Destiny and continue warring.”

[RWC] Huh?