2003-03-24 10:59:24Mr愛丁不拉 ＆ Ms小愛
愚蠢的戰爭
美、英聯手攻打伊拉克，在美國內部得到為數不少「內心單純」的美國民眾的支持？Why？因為小布希政府一直向民眾洗腦，把海珊政權和美國立即的安全威脅劃上等號，這樣的論證大有問題，但善良的美國民眾哪有能力分辨（大部分的美國民眾對國際新聞並不關心）？
美國在歐洲以往的盟友，除了英國、西班牙外，對美國的作法大多不以為然。即使在英、西兩國，國內的民意調查也呈現出反戰的多數，簡而言之，整個歐洲大致上是反戰的，某些惱怒的美國人因此向法國人開罵，「要不是我們當初在諾曼弟登陸，哪有今天的法國？」
英國首相布萊爾對美國的熱烈支持，無非是想擴增在國際上的影響力，但布萊爾選擇和小布希「雙布連線」，其代價就是與僅隔一個海峽的歐陸更加疏離，惡化英國和歐盟的關係。好笑的是，最近有許多英國人寫信給法國總統席哈克，對席哈克表達欽佩之意。席哈克更在最近的民調躍升為歷代民調最高的法國領袖。在目前「一超強、多極」的國際體系當中，席哈克選擇的反戰姿態，讓他在國內、外獲得空前的支持，席哈克莫名其妙地當了英雄（法國政府還竊喜地公布一些英國人寫給席哈克的仰慕信）。布萊爾先生不曉得會不會有些嫉妒？
布萊爾所屬的工黨內的左派、中間派的國會議員大多不贊成布萊爾的姿態，布萊爾之所以有恃無恐的其中一個原因是，保守黨（國會最大的反對黨）比布萊爾更「哈美」，這陣子保守黨的黨魁史密斯先生，反而成了布萊爾最佳的辯護者。
根據小布希的開戰演說（如後），攻打伊拉克的理由是，解除海珊政權的武裝能力、使世界免於恐懼，解放伊拉克人民於獨裁統治之下。原文為：「to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.」用軍事的力量可以達成解除海珊軍備的目的，但後面的那兩個目的似乎只是寫出來好聽，以增加行動的正當性。
類似911這樣子的恐怖主義根本無法用軍事的力量摧毀，911帶給世人的教訓是，即使欠缺國家在背後撐腰，只要找到一群敢死隊，恐怖主義永遠無法被消滅。同樣的道理，嚴刑峻法永遠無法消滅一個國家的犯罪（比方在中國販毒會被槍斃，但無法改善中國日益嚴重的毒品問題）。
美、英這次欠缺正當性的行動，賓拉登(Osama bin Laden)之類的激進份子一定鼓掌叫好。想當初911那時美國獲得全世界的普遍同情，出兵阿富汗才能得到許多國家的支持（包括這次反對的法國），回教激進份子有如過街老鼠、人類的公敵。曾幾何時，國際上對美國的同情已被小布希揮霍殆盡，此刻全球一片反美聲浪快速崛起，賓拉登之流怎能不暗爽偷笑乎？
愛丁不拉
2003.3.22
圖片來源：AP
Full text: George Bush’s address on the start of war
Thursday March 20, 2003
My fellow citizens. At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.
On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein’s ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign.
More than 35 countries are giving crucial support from the use of naval and air bases to help with intelligence and logistics to deployment of combat units.
Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honour of serving in our common defence.
To all the men and women of the United States armed forces now in the Middle East, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you. That trust is well placed.
The enemies you confront will come to know your skill and bravery. The people you liberate will witness the honourable and decent spirit of the American military.
In this conflict America faces an enemy that has no regard for conventions of war or rules of morality.
Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas, attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military. A final atrocity against his people.
I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm.
A campaign on the harsh terrain of the nation as large as California could be longer and more difficult than some predict and helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country will require our sustained commitment.
We come to Iraq with respect for its citizens, for their great civilisation and for the religious faiths they practise.
We have no ambition in Iraq except to remove a threat and restore control of that country to its own people.
I know that the families of our military are praying that all those who serve will return safely and soon.
Millions of Americans are praying with you for the safety of your loved ones and for the protection of the innocent.
For your sacrifice you have the gratitude and respect of the American people and you can know that our forces will be coming home as soon as their work is done.
Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly, yet our purpose is sure. The people of the United States and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder.
We will meet that threat now with our army, air force, navy, coastguard and marines so that we do not have to meet it later with armies of firefighters and police and doctors on the streets of our cities.
Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force and I assure you this will not be a campaign of half measures and we will accept no outcome but victory.
My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others and we will prevail.
May God bless our country and all who defend her.
Mr Blair and President Chirac had earlier spent an hour, with the 13 other EU leaders, wrangling over the wording of a joint declaration on Iraq.
At the summit, France, Germany and Belgium criticised the US-led war, but Britain and five other nations - Spain, Italy, Portugal, Denmark and the Netherlands - supported it.
美國在歐洲以往的盟友，除了英國、西班牙外，對美國的作法大多不以為然。即使在英、西兩國，國內的民意調查也呈現出反戰的多數，簡而言之，整個歐洲大致上是反戰的，某些惱怒的美國人因此向法國人開罵，「要不是我們當初在諾曼弟登陸，哪有今天的法國？」
英國首相布萊爾對美國的熱烈支持，無非是想擴增在國際上的影響力，但布萊爾選擇和小布希「雙布連線」，其代價就是與僅隔一個海峽的歐陸更加疏離，惡化英國和歐盟的關係。好笑的是，最近有許多英國人寫信給法國總統席哈克，對席哈克表達欽佩之意。席哈克更在最近的民調躍升為歷代民調最高的法國領袖。在目前「一超強、多極」的國際體系當中，席哈克選擇的反戰姿態，讓他在國內、外獲得空前的支持，席哈克莫名其妙地當了英雄（法國政府還竊喜地公布一些英國人寫給席哈克的仰慕信）。布萊爾先生不曉得會不會有些嫉妒？
布萊爾所屬的工黨內的左派、中間派的國會議員大多不贊成布萊爾的姿態，布萊爾之所以有恃無恐的其中一個原因是，保守黨（國會最大的反對黨）比布萊爾更「哈美」，這陣子保守黨的黨魁史密斯先生，反而成了布萊爾最佳的辯護者。
根據小布希的開戰演說（如後），攻打伊拉克的理由是，解除海珊政權的武裝能力、使世界免於恐懼，解放伊拉克人民於獨裁統治之下。原文為：「to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.」用軍事的力量可以達成解除海珊軍備的目的，但後面的那兩個目的似乎只是寫出來好聽，以增加行動的正當性。
類似911這樣子的恐怖主義根本無法用軍事的力量摧毀，911帶給世人的教訓是，即使欠缺國家在背後撐腰，只要找到一群敢死隊，恐怖主義永遠無法被消滅。同樣的道理，嚴刑峻法永遠無法消滅一個國家的犯罪（比方在中國販毒會被槍斃，但無法改善中國日益嚴重的毒品問題）。
美、英這次欠缺正當性的行動，賓拉登(Osama bin Laden)之類的激進份子一定鼓掌叫好。想當初911那時美國獲得全世界的普遍同情，出兵阿富汗才能得到許多國家的支持（包括這次反對的法國），回教激進份子有如過街老鼠、人類的公敵。曾幾何時，國際上對美國的同情已被小布希揮霍殆盡，此刻全球一片反美聲浪快速崛起，賓拉登之流怎能不暗爽偷笑乎？
愛丁不拉
2003.3.22
圖片來源：AP
Full text: George Bush’s address on the start of war
Thursday March 20, 2003
My fellow citizens. At this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.
On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein’s ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign.
More than 35 countries are giving crucial support from the use of naval and air bases to help with intelligence and logistics to deployment of combat units.
Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honour of serving in our common defence.
To all the men and women of the United States armed forces now in the Middle East, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you. That trust is well placed.
The enemies you confront will come to know your skill and bravery. The people you liberate will witness the honourable and decent spirit of the American military.
In this conflict America faces an enemy that has no regard for conventions of war or rules of morality.
Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas, attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military. A final atrocity against his people.
I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm.
A campaign on the harsh terrain of the nation as large as California could be longer and more difficult than some predict and helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country will require our sustained commitment.
We come to Iraq with respect for its citizens, for their great civilisation and for the religious faiths they practise.
We have no ambition in Iraq except to remove a threat and restore control of that country to its own people.
I know that the families of our military are praying that all those who serve will return safely and soon.
Millions of Americans are praying with you for the safety of your loved ones and for the protection of the innocent.
For your sacrifice you have the gratitude and respect of the American people and you can know that our forces will be coming home as soon as their work is done.
Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly, yet our purpose is sure. The people of the United States and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder.
We will meet that threat now with our army, air force, navy, coastguard and marines so that we do not have to meet it later with armies of firefighters and police and doctors on the streets of our cities.
Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force and I assure you this will not be a campaign of half measures and we will accept no outcome but victory.
My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others and we will prevail.
May God bless our country and all who defend her.
Mr Blair and President Chirac had earlier spent an hour, with the 13 other EU leaders, wrangling over the wording of a joint declaration on Iraq.
At the summit, France, Germany and Belgium criticised the US-led war, but Britain and five other nations - Spain, Italy, Portugal, Denmark and the Netherlands - supported it.
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