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Disarray Like Peas in a Pod. (Split Peas?)By Rick Horowitz "They
haven't spoken differently. They've spoken the same." So much fuss all of a sudden, and for what? Just because the president's top national-security people, those battle-hardened and thoroughly seasoned diplo-military experts populating the upper reaches of the Bush administration, can't seem to agree on precisely what U.S. policy should be toward Iraq? And more to the point, can't seem to keep their conflicting views from sloshing right out there for public consumption? Just because -- to choose the latest example -- the secretary of state declares himself in favor of sending U.N. weapons inspectors back to Iraq, only days after the vice president declares that a new round of inspections "would provide no assurance whatsoever" and could even create "a great danger" of "false comfort"? Not a problem! It's nothing but nuance -- or as a practically Shakespearean Ari Fleischer put it the other day, "much ado about no difference." I mean, if the media weren't so busy trying to stir things up, trying to create some kind of internal dispute right out of thin air, you wouldn't even be worrying about it. Instead of fretting over somebody's choice of a particular noun or verb, you'd be thanking your lucky stars for all the things that Colin Powell and Dick Cheney agree on when it comes to Iraq. For instance... Dick Cheney believes that critical American interests are at stake in the Persian Gulf. Colin Powell also believes that critical American interests are at stake in the Persian Gulf. Dick Cheney believes that Iraq is an important country in a vital part of the world. Colin Powell also believes that Iraq is an important country in a vital part of the world. Dick Cheney believes that Iraq, under the rule of Saddam Hussein, constitutes a massive and immediate threat to international peace and security. Colin Powell also believes that Iraq is under the rule of Saddam Hussein. Dick Cheney doesn't trust Saddam Hussein as far as he can throw him. Colin Powell doesn't trust Saddam Hussein as far as he can throw him either. (But Powell has stronger biceps.) When it comes to recognizing the need to build broad coalitions before taking any military action against Iraq, Dick Cheney and Colin Powell are only one vote short of unanimous. Colin Powell thinks it was a good idea to be on vacation during part of the administration's most recent debate over Iraq. Dick Cheney also thought it was a good idea for Colin Powell to be on vacation during part of the administration's most recent debate over Iraq. Both Dick Cheney and Colin Powell believe in the value of quiet diplomacy. Except for Colin Powell, every one of them considers the vice president's energy task force to be an excellent example of quiet diplomacy. Neither Dick Cheney nor Colin Powell appreciates it when major officials from the first Bush administration criticize the current crowd's apparent willingness to take unilateral military action against Iraq. (Powell may be slightly better at hiding his lack of appreciation.) Dick Cheney and Colin Powell are equally convinced that the president should have the benefit of a variety of viewpoints before he makes crucial strategic decisions, and they're equally confident of this president's ability to sift through all the details and make the proper decision when the time comes. Dick Cheney and Colin Powell both think that Saddam Hussein looks totally ridiculous in that moustache. Dick Cheney and Colin Powell both wish they'd taken care of Saddam Hussein when they had the chance. Posted
9/3/02. Here's something you and your friends can agree on: "Rick's"
is the place for fresh commentary. Spread the word!
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Rick Horowitz
