Collation of the Willing
If there has ever been a more
laughable phrase designed to invoke union, it is “The Coalition of the
Willing.” Upon pronouncing backing for
the US led invasion on Iraq,
Bush’s administration comforts the American people with this phrase on a daily
basis. After researching exactly who the
coalition of the willing is, it is fair to believe we are flying solo.
There are over 47 nations listed
as part of the coalition against Iraq. Half of which, 99% of Americans could not find
on a map. Of the 47 nations only eleven
(wait! Spain
backed out…make that ten) countries have provided troupes. Of those ten nations, only two have provided
more then 3,000 troupes, The United States and The United Kingdom.(1) The United States
also has sent six times the number of soldiers of The United Kingdom.
Who really is the Coalition of the Willing? Us.
Dana Milbank of the Washington Post
writes, “There must have been shock in Baghdad
and awe in Paris last week when
the White House announced the news that Palau
had joined the "coalition of the willing." Palau,
an island group of nearly 20,000 souls in the North Pacific, has much to contribute.
It has some of the world's best scuba diving, delectable coconuts and tapioca.
One thing Palau
cannot contribute, however, is military support: It does not have a military.”(2) Even Morocco
has offered to contribute. Morocco's
weekly al Usbu' al-Siyassi claimed that Morocco
has offered 2,000 monkeys to help detonate land mines.(3)
Bush uses manipulative phrases to
create the idea that we are not challenging Iraq
alone; however, nothing could be further from the truth. We have generated a pre-emptive strike
without proper justification. In the
course of our rash decision we have alienated various allies. Our president has ventured from post 9-11,
where the world was unified fighting terror in Afghanistan,
to fighting an enemy who has no proven ties to Al Queda or threatens the United
States.