Stories from 2002-10-10

"I have heard from tens of thousands of Americans — people from all across this country of ours — who have urged me to keep up the fight. I am only one Senator from a small state, yet in the past week I have received nearly 20,000 telephone calls and nearly 50,000 e-mails supporting my position. I want all of those people across America who took the time to contact me to know how their words have heartened me and sustained me in my efforts to turn the tide of opinion in the Senate. They are my heroes, and I will never forget the remarkable courage and patriotism that reverberated in the fervor of their messages." [more]

"A letter to Congress from the director of central intelligence has brought into public view divisions within the administration over what intelligence shows about Iraq's intentions and its willingness to ally itself with Al Qaeda." [more]

"The House of Representatives approved Bush war powers — the step will let Bush unilaterally declare war on Iraq. It also stipulates that he reports to Congress every 60 days if he does take action." [more]

"A sudden appetite for war with Iraq seems to have consumed the Bush administration and Congress. The debate that began in the Senate last week is centered not on the fundamental and monumental questions of whether and why the United States should go to war with Iraq, but rather on the mechanics of how best to wordsmith the president's use-of-force resolution in order to give him virtually unchecked authority to commit the nation's military to an unprovoked attack on a sovereign nation." [more]

" 'Our liberal base wants us to stand up and challenge Bush on the war,' said Donna Brazile, who runs the Democratic National Committee's Voting Rights Institute. She said loyal Democrats in low-income areas and black neighborhoods, along with many women and liberal suburbanites, are bitterly complaining that 'no one is talking to us, no one is addressing our issues' on the economy and preparation for war." [more]

Bringing the United States a step closer to the possibility of war, the House voted 296 to 133 this afternoon to give President Bush the authority to use military force against Iraq. Earlier in the day, the Senate voted, 75 to 25, to limit debate on the resolution, meaning a vote could come as early as this evening or by early Friday. [more]

"Despite a media blackout, a nascent US peace movement has gradually been gathering momentum. In September, at least 300 peace events were being held weekly in cities from Pensacola to Fairbanks. Organizers say they're attracting many who oppose the war in Iraq but were ambivalent about, or supported, war in Afghanistan." [more]

"Forced deportation of Palestinians from the occupied territories — "transfer," as it is widely described inside Israeli society — is the most horrifying possibility being discussed. It is also the option that, unless vigorously and consistently opposed by Washington, would do the most harm to America's broader interests in the Middle East — and that includes America's ability to bring the campaign against Saddam Hussein to a successful conclusion." [more]

"For months, whenever President Bush spoke of "regime change" in Iraq, the assumption was he meant Saddam Hussein had to go. Now, Mr. Bush is signaling he could accept a world where Mr. Hussein — though a fully disarmed Hussein — remains the man in charge in Iraq." [more]

"Polls signal that a majority of the public still supports the possibility of an invasion of Iraq — but that support drops significantly if the US goes in alone. If casualties reach 5,000, most Americans would oppose the war, [and] that concern gives Democrats an opening to back force, yet distance themselves from the president by insisting on the need to build coalitions." [more]

"Behind the blizzard of claims and counterclaims of the last two months — about whether Iraq has nuclear weapons; about whether United Nations inspectors should be trusted to uncover them; about whether America should heed the views of allies or the international community at all — a more important and subtler drama is being played, about the character of American power and its proper role in the world." [more]

International students "still worry about being assaulted, though they're even more wary of new U.S. government roadblocks to their education in the name of national security. So, some have decided to study in Europe or Australia." [more]

" 'Your ticket has been randomly flagged,' they insist. Call it what you will. But I literally can't remember the last time I made it on to an airplane without being quietly pulled aside and asked to open all my bags." [more]

"The former commander of U.S. forces in the Gulf spoke out on Thursday against attacking Iraq, saying a policy of containment would work and Washington had at least five higher priorities in the Middle East." [more]