Gen. Hugh Shelton: Bush Officials Pushed For Iraq War 'Almost To The Point Of Insubordination'

Again we have more information coming out about the push for a war that lacked evidence. There were a lot of people who knew it was bull to go to war with Iraq but they were silenced. Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame, along with Scott Ritter.

Former Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Hugh Shelton says that, during the Bush administration, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, his deputy, Paul Wolfowitz, and other Pentagon officials pushed to go to war with Iraq "almost to the point of insubordination."

Seems there is more and more damaging information coming out from ex administration officials. I'm sure there will be even more to come.

I know there will be a lot of people who say "lets move on", "stop blaming bush", etc. But this information needs to be out there and analyzed.

I honestly believe that several members of this administration should be tried for war crimes. It is becoming more and more clear that they deliberately lied to the American people

This was by far the most corrupt administration in American history and while its probably too late now, I'm glad the truth is coming out.

Bush Officials Push for Iraq War

"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line."
--President Bill Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998

"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program."
--President Bill Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998

"Iraq is a long way from [here], but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face."
--Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998

"He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983."
--Sandy Bergler, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998

"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."
Letter to President Clinton, signed by:
-- Democratic Senators Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others, Oct. 9, 1998

"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process."
-Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998

"Hussein has ... chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies."
-- Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999

"There is no doubt that ... Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies."
Letter to President Bush, Signed by:
-- Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), and others, Dec 5, 2001

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and th! e means of delivering them."
-- Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country."
-- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power."
-- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction."
-- Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons..."
-- Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002

"I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force -- if necessary -- to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security."
-- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years ... We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction."
-- Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002

"He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do"
-- Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."
-- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002

"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction."
-- Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec. 8, 2002

"Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real..."
-- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003

Were these people insubordinate also???

Originally posted by Carseller4
"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line."
--President Bill Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998

"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program."
--President Bill Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998

"Iraq is a long way from [here], but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face."
--Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998

"He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983."
--Sandy Bergler, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998

"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."
Letter to President Clinton, signed by:
-- Democratic Senators Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others, Oct. 9, 1998

"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process."
-Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998

"Hussein has ... chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies."
-- Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999

"There is no doubt that ... Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies."
Letter to President Bush, Signed by:
-- Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), and others, Dec 5, 2001

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and th! e means of delivering them."
-- Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country."
-- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power."
-- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction."
-- Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons..."
-- Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002

"I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force -- if necessary -- to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security."
-- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years ... We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction."
-- Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002

"He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do"
-- Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."
-- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002

"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction."
-- Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec. 8, 2002

"Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real..."
-- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003

Were these people insubordinate also???

Yes, I think they were. It seems like you are only concentrating on the Democrat vs Republican theme here. Time to step outside the box. Glad to know there is a General out there who actually isn't afraid to tell what really happened.

reply to post by Carseller4

Were these people insubordinate also???

in a way it's apples and oranges.
did any of those you quoted have the power to instigate and begin the war in the same way the bush admin did?

reply to post by Big Trouble in Little Chi


sorry man but conviction based on hearsay doesnt fly.

shelton is trying to cash in on the bush hatred and thats all this is.

bush hate sells and thats is deep as this goes.


the good general can say whatever he wants and people will believe no matter cause most people base facts on mere words or opinions.

reply to post by rubbertramp


every single day we hear about the republican party of no.

during the iraq war at any time before 2006 the left could have stopped bush and after 2006 the left did nothing to stop bush.

to blame iraq on the right and bush doesnt fly the left echoed bush and the right and its on record for anyone to see

reply to post by neo96


I like the way ventura put it. Politics is like the WWE, both sides pretending to fight and bicker for the public, but most are really good friends behind the scenes. Puts it in terms most of the public will understand too

reply to post by TKDRL


dont like ventura myself but in a way your right.

the way i see this is all the animosity towards bush was the creation of the left so they could get into power in 2006 and 2008.

they wanted the keys to the kingdom and they got them what better tool to get where you want to go than to use its best weapon hatred.

Originally posted by neo96
reply to post by rubbertramp

 

every single day we hear about the republican party of no.

during the iraq war at any time before 2006 the left could have stopped bush and after 2006 the left did nothing to stop bush.

to blame iraq on the right and bush doesnt fly the left echoed bush and the right and its on record for anyone to see

now i agree, both sides are guilty. this i agree with. yet, putting forth only quotes from one side would make one believe that was your point.
there really is no difference between the parties, the end game is the same.

Actually, I've been trying to think through what the part of the headline that says - 'Almost To The Point Of Insubordination' - really means.

The people mentioned weren't military people, they were civilian members of the Bush administration. So if they were "insubordinate" in their push for war with iraq, the only person that would/or could consider them insubordinate would be their boss - Bush. But if Bush did feel that way about them, they would have been fired and there would have been no war.

You see, it doesn't really make any sense ...

I"m calling BS on this.

reply to post by Carseller4


I agree that there were people on both sides that were responsible for this and at fault. But the buck stops at the top and what congressmen say means nothing. The experts with regards to intelligence said otherwise regarding Iraq.

Scott Ritter(Iraq weapons inspector) had been in Iraq for a decade searching and documenting what Iraq had. He stated many times that Iraq did not have WMD. Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson refuted the claims that Iraq had WMD. And even the CIA will not back up that Saddam had WMD. The only "lead" they had was a testimony from an informant titled "screwball" and that was regarding the yellow cake uranium situation which was proved to be false by Plame/Wilson.

I could really care less what a Dem or Rep congressmen was saying with regards to this. They were not the experts. Both dems and reps were hyping Iraq, fact is they were all wrong and most crucified anyone who said otherwise. Lets also make note that several of the people who quoted in your post, ultimately voted against the Iraq resolution. So no, they are not insubordinate.

Here is a list of the individuals who voted against it.

* Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) * Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) * Barbara Boxer (D-California) * Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia) * Lincoln Chaffee (R-Rhode Island) * Kent Conrad (D-North Dakota) * Jon Corzine (D-New Jersey) * Mark Dayton (D-Minnesota) * Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) * Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) * Bob Graham (D-Florida) * Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) * Jim Jeffords (I-Vermont) * Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) * Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) * Carl Levin (D-Michigan) * Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) * Patty Murray (D-Washington) * Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) * Paul Sarbanes (D-Maryland) * Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) * The late Paul Wellstone (D-Minnesota) * Ron Wyden (D-Oregon)

Now its coming out that the people pushing war with Iraq were not "mis-informed" but deliberately lying.

Lets also not forget that at the time we had a Republican congress and a Republican President. There wasnt much the Dems could do to stop war. You may have forgotten that the Dems did everything they could to prevent war with Iraq. They exhausted their filibusters. In the end the vote passed 77-23. There were 21 Dems, 1 Republican and 1 Independent that voted against it. And then it was Bush who had the final say and approved the vote.

There is a lot of blame to spread around but when you are in power, you are ultimately responsible for the choice you make and the decisions that are made.

Iraq War Vote

We need to make an example of the people reponsible for starting this SICK war.

That example needs to start with BUSH.

That seems simple enough !!

Bush and Cheney's actions have been nothing but traitorous to this country. It amazes me people still defend what has been the most corrupt regime in American history.

Wait a minute FOLKS.

Wikileaks: Saddam's WMD program existed in Iraq

So what do we have here? Hmmmmmmmmmm!

Could it all be a PLOT?

So, this must PROVE that wikileaks is a CIA operation huh? That is what the Democrats will say.
Because we all know that Democrats do not like war correct? Because if the Democrats did not like war, they would be out there protesting the wars correct? Can anyone point me to an Anti War rally since January 2009 that has been covered by the MSM and had more than 50 people.

Or is it just-Now that the Democrats are in Power, "War is good".

reply to post by centurion1211


I see by the stars that some people agree with my previous post, but I'm sort of amazed that no one wants to discuss the point that the headline and basic premise of the OP and article do not make logical sense. That people are ignoring this to just try and use the article as a hammer without even understanding their choice of "hammer".

Sad.

Of course, this is something that most of us already knew and although I appreciate Gen. Shelton coming about this now, it surely doesn't take his testimony to see the obvious.

Bush and his cronies are so corrupted that it is almost unbelievable that anyone can not see it for what it is. It was this same group of people who were involved with the Iran/Contra/coc aine/hostage scandal and it's cover up. That incident indicates that certain influences behind and in the government were not only involved with coc aine and imprisonment of American hostages, but also the cover-up of the same.

If you look at the names and faces of those involved with the incident and its subsequent cover-up, they are many of the same names and faces behind the Bush I and Bush II admins (as well as the 9/11 Commission), so it is only expected that they would do something as small and relatively minor as send thousands of our troops to die on foreign soil for business intrests.


--airspoon