Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Truman's reaction to the war in Iraq
Unbelievable! My engineer and producer here at CC has lined up an interview with the former President Harry Truman, how cool is that? Ok. I know he passed away. In full disclosure... I went the way of King Saul and used a necromancer to bring back his spirit for this interview. On an administrative note, I think the late President recycled some old material seeing how similar his points were to his March 12, 1947 address before a Joint Session of Congress. In light of the national security issues we seem unable to solve today, and Truman’s inability to alter his position to reflect this, I have to say it reminds me of the old “What me worry?” attitude of MAD magazines Alfred E. Neuman, but that’s another argument.
Christian Conservative: Mr. President, in 1945 you made the decision to drop two atomic bombs on Japan which ended WWII, and today America continues to enjoy peace through superior firepower. Thank you for your leadership and for your willingness to be with me today.
Harry Truman: It is a pleasure. We are often emboldened by your strong positions, Mr. Gallaugher. It is I who thank you.
CC: Following the Iraq invasion, many people have disputed the war as we see insurgence and terrorist attacks continue to besiege the citizens. How would you respond to the critics?
HT: When forces of liberation entered [Iraq] they found that the retreating [Baath party loyalists] had destroyed virtually all the railways, roads, port facilities, communications, and merchant marine. More than a thousand villages had been burned. Eighty-five per cent of the children were tubercular. Livestock, poultry, and draft animals had almost disappeared. Inflation had wiped out practically all savings.
As a result of these tragic conditions, a militant minority, exploiting human want and misery, was able to create political chaos which, until now, has made economic recovery impossible.
The very existence of the [Iraq] state is today threatened by the terrorist activities of several thousand armed men, led by [Terrorists], who defy the government's authority at a number of points, particularly along the northern boundaries. A Commission appointed by the United Nations security Council is at present investigating disturbed conditions in northern [Iraq] and alleged border violations along the frontier between [Iraq] on the one hand and Albania, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia on the other.
Meanwhile, the [Iraq] Government is unable to cope with the situation. The [Iraq] army is small and poorly equipped. It needs supplies and equipment if it is to restore the authority of the government throughout [Iraq] territory. [Iraq] must have assistance if it is to become a self-supporting and self-respecting democracy.
The United States must supply that assistance. We have already extended to [Iraq] certain types of relief and economic aid but these are inadequate.
CC: Why America? Why should we be the ones to worry about [Iraq]?
There is no other country to which democratic [Iraq] can turn.
No other nation is willing and able to provide the necessary support for a democratic [Iraq] government.
The British Government, which has been helping [Iraq], can give no further financial or economic aid after March 31. Great Britain finds itself under the necessity of reducing or liquidating its commitments in several parts of the world, including [Iraq].
CC: Some believe we must let the UN deal with the crisis, and that we should have relied more on them from the beginning.
HT: We have considered how the United Nations might assist in this crisis. But the situation is an urgent one requiring immediate action and the United Nations and its related organizations are not in a position to extend help of the kind that is required.
CC: Who are we to impose our will on other nations? Our own country is in need of attention - why don’t we fix our own problems before solving Iraq’s?
HT: No government is perfect. One of the chief virtues of a democracy, however, is that its defects are always visible and under democratic processes can be pointed out and corrected. The Government of [Iraq] is not perfect. Nevertheless it represents eighty-five per cent of the members of the [Iraq] Parliament who were chosen in an election last year. Foreign observers, including 692 Americans, considered this election to be a fair expression of the views of the [Iraq] people.
The [Iraq] Government has been operating in an atmosphere of chaos and extremism. It has made mistakes. The extension of aid by this country does not mean that the United States condones everything that the [Iraq] Government has done or will do. We have condemned in the past, and we condemn now, extremist measures of the right or the left. We have in the past advised tolerance, and we advise tolerance now.
CC: The Middle East is a dangerous place to do business. In light of the post invasion casualties which continue to grow, how does this make America safer?
HT: One of the primary objectives of the foreign policy of the United States is the creation of conditions in which we and other nations will be able to work out a way of life free from coercion. This was a fundamental issue in the war with Germany and Japan. Our victory was won over countries which sought to impose their will, and their way of life, upon other nations.
The peoples of a number of countries of the world have recently had totalitarian regimes forced upon them against their will. The Government of the United States has made frequent protests against coercion and intimidation, in violation of the Yalta agreement, in Poland, Rumania, and Bulgaria. I must also state that in a number of other countries there have been similar developments.
CC: How would you respond to critics who believe that Iraq should chose its own destiny independently of Western influences?
HT: At the present moment in world history nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is too often not a free one.
One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression.
The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio; fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms.
I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.
I believe that we must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way.
CC: Again, Mr. President, how does a secure Iraq keep America safer?
HT: It is necessary only to glance at a map to realize that the survival and integrity of the [Iraq] nation are of grave importance in a much wider situation. If [Iraq] should fall under the control of an armed minority, the effect upon its neighbor[s], would be immediate and serious. Confusion and disorder might well spread throughout the entire Middle East.
Moreover, the disappearance of [Iraq] as an independent state would have a profound effect upon those countries in Europe whose peoples are struggling against great difficulties to maintain their freedoms and their independence while they repair the damages of war.
It would be an unspeakable tragedy if these countries, which have struggled so long against overwhelming odds, should lose that victory for which they sacrificed so much. Collapse of free institutions and loss of independence would be disastrous not only for them but for the world. Discouragement and possibly failure would quickly be the lot of neighboring peoples striving to maintain their freedom and independence.
Should we fail to aid [Iraq] in this fateful hour, the effect will be far reaching to the West as well as to the East.
We must take immediate and resolute action.
I therefore ask the Congress to provide authority for assistance to [Iraq] in the amount of $400,000,000...In addition to funds, I ask the Congress to authorize the detail of American civilian and military personnel to [Iraq], at the request of those countries, to assist in the tasks of reconstruction, and for the purpose of supervising the use of such financial and material assistance as may be furnished. I recommend that authority also be provided for the instruction and training of selected [Iraq] personnel.
Finally, I ask that the Congress provide authority which will permit the speediest and most effective use, in terms of needed commodities, supplies, and equipment, of such funds as may be authorized.
If further funds, or further authority, should be needed for purposes indicated in this message, I shall not hesitate to bring the situation before the Congress. On this subject the Executive and Legislative branches of the Government must work together.
CC: That’s a lot of money - and more Americans sent to the region might be captured or killed. Shouldn’t we spend that money on Education or Health Care?
HT: This is a serious course upon which we embark.
I would not recommend it except that the alternative is much more serious. The United States contributed $341,000,000,000 toward winning World War II. This is an investment in world freedom and world peace.
The assistance that I am recommending for [Iraq] amounts to little more than 1 tenth of 1 per cent of this investment. It is only common sense that we should safeguard this investment and make sure that it was not in vain...[t]he free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms.
If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world -- and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation.
CC: That concludes this interview. I thank you Mr. President for your service to our nation, for this interview, and for bombing Japan.
HT: Great responsibilities have been placed upon us by the swift movement of events.
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I devote the work of this Web Log to the true living LORD God, and to His Son, Jesus Christ.
May the blessing of God's hand be upon it that it might be a light in a dark place.
Christian Conservative: Mr. President, in 1945 you made the decision to drop two atomic bombs on Japan which ended WWII, and today America continues to enjoy peace through superior firepower. Thank you for your leadership and for your willingness to be with me today.
Harry Truman: It is a pleasure. We are often emboldened by your strong positions, Mr. Gallaugher. It is I who thank you.
CC: Following the Iraq invasion, many people have disputed the war as we see insurgence and terrorist attacks continue to besiege the citizens. How would you respond to the critics?
HT: When forces of liberation entered [Iraq] they found that the retreating [Baath party loyalists] had destroyed virtually all the railways, roads, port facilities, communications, and merchant marine. More than a thousand villages had been burned. Eighty-five per cent of the children were tubercular. Livestock, poultry, and draft animals had almost disappeared. Inflation had wiped out practically all savings.
As a result of these tragic conditions, a militant minority, exploiting human want and misery, was able to create political chaos which, until now, has made economic recovery impossible.
The very existence of the [Iraq] state is today threatened by the terrorist activities of several thousand armed men, led by [Terrorists], who defy the government's authority at a number of points, particularly along the northern boundaries. A Commission appointed by the United Nations security Council is at present investigating disturbed conditions in northern [Iraq] and alleged border violations along the frontier between [Iraq] on the one hand and Albania, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia on the other.
Meanwhile, the [Iraq] Government is unable to cope with the situation. The [Iraq] army is small and poorly equipped. It needs supplies and equipment if it is to restore the authority of the government throughout [Iraq] territory. [Iraq] must have assistance if it is to become a self-supporting and self-respecting democracy.
The United States must supply that assistance. We have already extended to [Iraq] certain types of relief and economic aid but these are inadequate.
CC: Why America? Why should we be the ones to worry about [Iraq]?
There is no other country to which democratic [Iraq] can turn.
No other nation is willing and able to provide the necessary support for a democratic [Iraq] government.
The British Government, which has been helping [Iraq], can give no further financial or economic aid after March 31. Great Britain finds itself under the necessity of reducing or liquidating its commitments in several parts of the world, including [Iraq].
CC: Some believe we must let the UN deal with the crisis, and that we should have relied more on them from the beginning.
HT: We have considered how the United Nations might assist in this crisis. But the situation is an urgent one requiring immediate action and the United Nations and its related organizations are not in a position to extend help of the kind that is required.
CC: Who are we to impose our will on other nations? Our own country is in need of attention - why don’t we fix our own problems before solving Iraq’s?
HT: No government is perfect. One of the chief virtues of a democracy, however, is that its defects are always visible and under democratic processes can be pointed out and corrected. The Government of [Iraq] is not perfect. Nevertheless it represents eighty-five per cent of the members of the [Iraq] Parliament who were chosen in an election last year. Foreign observers, including 692 Americans, considered this election to be a fair expression of the views of the [Iraq] people.
The [Iraq] Government has been operating in an atmosphere of chaos and extremism. It has made mistakes. The extension of aid by this country does not mean that the United States condones everything that the [Iraq] Government has done or will do. We have condemned in the past, and we condemn now, extremist measures of the right or the left. We have in the past advised tolerance, and we advise tolerance now.
CC: The Middle East is a dangerous place to do business. In light of the post invasion casualties which continue to grow, how does this make America safer?
HT: One of the primary objectives of the foreign policy of the United States is the creation of conditions in which we and other nations will be able to work out a way of life free from coercion. This was a fundamental issue in the war with Germany and Japan. Our victory was won over countries which sought to impose their will, and their way of life, upon other nations.
The peoples of a number of countries of the world have recently had totalitarian regimes forced upon them against their will. The Government of the United States has made frequent protests against coercion and intimidation, in violation of the Yalta agreement, in Poland, Rumania, and Bulgaria. I must also state that in a number of other countries there have been similar developments.
CC: How would you respond to critics who believe that Iraq should chose its own destiny independently of Western influences?
HT: At the present moment in world history nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is too often not a free one.
One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression.
The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio; fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms.
I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.
I believe that we must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way.
CC: Again, Mr. President, how does a secure Iraq keep America safer?
HT: It is necessary only to glance at a map to realize that the survival and integrity of the [Iraq] nation are of grave importance in a much wider situation. If [Iraq] should fall under the control of an armed minority, the effect upon its neighbor[s], would be immediate and serious. Confusion and disorder might well spread throughout the entire Middle East.
Moreover, the disappearance of [Iraq] as an independent state would have a profound effect upon those countries in Europe whose peoples are struggling against great difficulties to maintain their freedoms and their independence while they repair the damages of war.
It would be an unspeakable tragedy if these countries, which have struggled so long against overwhelming odds, should lose that victory for which they sacrificed so much. Collapse of free institutions and loss of independence would be disastrous not only for them but for the world. Discouragement and possibly failure would quickly be the lot of neighboring peoples striving to maintain their freedom and independence.
Should we fail to aid [Iraq] in this fateful hour, the effect will be far reaching to the West as well as to the East.
We must take immediate and resolute action.
I therefore ask the Congress to provide authority for assistance to [Iraq] in the amount of $400,000,000...In addition to funds, I ask the Congress to authorize the detail of American civilian and military personnel to [Iraq], at the request of those countries, to assist in the tasks of reconstruction, and for the purpose of supervising the use of such financial and material assistance as may be furnished. I recommend that authority also be provided for the instruction and training of selected [Iraq] personnel.
Finally, I ask that the Congress provide authority which will permit the speediest and most effective use, in terms of needed commodities, supplies, and equipment, of such funds as may be authorized.
If further funds, or further authority, should be needed for purposes indicated in this message, I shall not hesitate to bring the situation before the Congress. On this subject the Executive and Legislative branches of the Government must work together.
CC: That’s a lot of money - and more Americans sent to the region might be captured or killed. Shouldn’t we spend that money on Education or Health Care?
HT: This is a serious course upon which we embark.
I would not recommend it except that the alternative is much more serious. The United States contributed $341,000,000,000 toward winning World War II. This is an investment in world freedom and world peace.
The assistance that I am recommending for [Iraq] amounts to little more than 1 tenth of 1 per cent of this investment. It is only common sense that we should safeguard this investment and make sure that it was not in vain...[t]he free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms.
If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world -- and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation.
CC: That concludes this interview. I thank you Mr. President for your service to our nation, for this interview, and for bombing Japan.
HT: Great responsibilities have been placed upon us by the swift movement of events.
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