After months of telling everyone our specific intentions regarding Iraq and after the national media has detailed as much specific information on our military assets, possible targets for Iraqi retaliation and details on who supports and who doesn’t support American military and political aims in Iraq, the House Thursday voted to authorize the President to use force against Iraq.

One wonders if anyone will be surprised.

Would Poland have sat on its hands if that government had known Nazi intentions, as World War II opened in Europe? Would we have done nothing, if Japan announced their plans to attack Pearl Harbor? Does anyone believe Saddam Hussein does not watch CNN?

Back in ElderBush’s day, we had Saddam Hussein on the ropes. His vaunted army was deserting in droves. We had total dominance over Iraqi skies and on its land. Kuwait was freed, and all we had to do was roll in and take charge.

We didn’t do it, allowing Saddam Hussein to spend another 10 years, rebuilding his military program, pump oil money toward terrorists such as Osama bin-Laden and watch with glee as Sept. 11 came crashing down around our national consciousness.

During Desert Storm, American support for its military was at a high point not seen since World War II. The American people rallied, waved flags and cheered the returning veterans, even extending overdue olive branches to Vietnam veterans at the same time. One can only hope such support for our military can be reborn 10 years later against the same foe.

We would have preferred a quick, decisive and final resolution to the problem of Saddam Hussein and such similar threats to America and its people. So far, we wonder if “Desert Storm II” will allow such threats to linger, awaiting yet another solution.

Hopefully, we will still be around to have that option.

L’Observateur