Bush, allies beat drum for war

“Don’t Blame Bush” says the letter writer (Don’t Blame Bush for Congress’ War,” Aug. 27). No, sorry, it is the letter writer who isn’t recalling the facts. Throughout 2002 and into the spring of 2003, President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and the “Neocons” relentlessly beat the drum for war, speculating way beyond the facts, which were equivocal and inconclusive. Pushing Congress hard, Cheney later said, ‘Do we wait for the mushroom cloud?’ Bush and his key leaders wanted war; a PBS/Frontline 2008 installment is named “Bush’s War” for good reason. The Iraq war was a colossal error and massive financial damage was done to the nation’s budget, meaning to the taxpayers. A detailed 2013 study put the cost at $1.7 trillion, likely an underestimate. Congress did vote for it, but many who approved have since admitted their mistake. It seems likely history will not let President Bush off the hook so easily. RALPH HOWARD, How to submit an Opinion column: Submissions should be 600 words or less. Email columns to Opinion Editor Tom Sabulis at tsabulis@ajc.com. Columns submitted to the AJC may be published, republished and made available in the AJC or other databases and electronic formats. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 150 words and must include a daytime phone number for verification. They may be edited for length and clarity, and may be published in print or other formats. Email submissions are preferred. Email: letters@ajc.com.