George Putnam
Friday, Oct. 11, 2002

We speak of democracy, yet it is questionable that the U.S. can build a democratic Iraq or that other nations would follow such a model. Since it became independent in 1932, Iraq's political life has been defined by military coups, palace intrigues, assassinations and ethnic strife. Would Turkey and Iran stand idly by and watch this new influence? Surely they know that one of the invasion's long-term purposes is to erode the legitimacy of their own fragile regimes.

Already there is resentment of the Bush doctrine – a first-strike war approach to achieve peace. Many of the Arab nations look upon Bush as a bull in a china shop. They ask what kind of multilateralism is it that demands all major decisions must go the American way: "Either play the game 'my way' or I'll take my bat and ball and go home."

Are we to adopt the attitude that if you don't like a foreign government, its leadership, its politics, its religion ... you make the decision to eliminate it? Is this the American way? Is this the democracy that our founding fathers had in mind?

They ask what became of Bush's campaign promise that America needs to wield its clout with humility. The words "pre-emptive strike," "imperial presidency" and "hegemony" (meaning the all-powerful taking over; history is littered with the wreckage of states that sought hegemony) are being used more frequently when referring to our administration's behavior.

There are serious concerns about the Bush doctrine of unilateral pre-emptive attack, which is an incredibly dangerous precedent that could get America involved in countless shooting wars throughout the world. As Chris Ruddy, our NewsMax.com chief, puts it, "This pre-emptive-attack doctrine is downright un-American. Never in our history has this nation been the first to attack another without direct provocation. Changing that policy could bring the wrath of the world down upon us and result in far more devastating terrorist attacks against America." (See: Rethinking the Bush Doctrine.)

While Bush might like to reserve the right of pre-emptive attack for cases of clear and present danger to America, the reality of world politics is that other nations – communist China, North Korea and other troublemakers – might quickly follow our new "moral" lead. India, Pakistan and Russia come to mind when one considers this new pre-emptive Bush doctrine.

As we rush toward war, it is time to take a hard look at a post–Saddam Hussein Iraq and the world that would emerge. We are unanimous in our determination to rid the world of this scourge of humanity, but as we go about the business of finishing him off, let's give serious thought to what will follow – a better Iraq and a better Middle East, yes; but everything we destroy must be rebuilt, and it's going to require the complete cooperation of the Arab nations.

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The legendary George Putnam is 88 years young and a veteran of 68 years as a reporter, broadcaster and commentator ... and is still going strong. George is part of the all-star line-up of Southern California's KPLS Radio – Hot Talk AM 830. Click Here for George's complete bio.

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Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Bush Administration
Saddam Hussein/Iraq
War on Terrorism

Editor's note:
Saddam Hussein's race to make a nuclear bomb