War Against Iraq: Declared or Not, It's Gonna Be Hell

America has launched into another undeclared war, this time against Iraq. Like the War on Terrorism, it will never be officially declared, and it will engage thousands of US troops; unlike the War on Terrorism, it has defined geographical boundaries.

You had to have seen it coming...

For two years, and particularly since September 11, 2001, the inevitability of a US action against what is perceived as a growing threat from Iraq's insane leader, Saddam Hussein, has been on the DoD's front burner. With a warm-up and weapons-testing session in Afghanistan, the Administration felt the time was right to stop a nationalistic threat, before it could do major damage to the USA.

After the UN passed Resolution 1441 last Fall, Saddam's fate was sealed. Even though big-mouthed members of the UN have since backed away from their commitment, the "bullet was fired;" no one could stop it.

Over the weekend, the UN's impotent inspectors were pulled out of harm's way; a Monday deadline passed; and the US declared that the diplomatic window was closed. Presidential spokesman Ari Fleischer said, Monday morning, "The diplomatic window has closed as a result of the UN’s failure to enforce its own resolutions for Saddam to disarm."

Monday morning, all UN personnel were ordered out of Baghdad -- not by Saddam, but by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

President Bush made a speech Monday night in which he warned Hussein that he basically had 48 hours to "get outta town," or to expect hostilities, adding that, "The tyrant will soon be gone."

The President said that, "Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours... Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict to commence at a time of our choosing." Bush also voiced disappointment in the UN... “The United Nations Security Council has not lived up to its responsibilities so we will rise to ours."

FMI: www.whitehouse.gov