Political Pollution

Senator Barbara Boxer in the hearing to confirm Condoleezza Rice:

"Well, you should read what we voted on when we voted to support the war, which I did not, but most of my colleagues did. It was WMD, period. That was the reason and the causation for that, you know, particular vote."

Reasonable people can disagree on whether it was right to go to war in Iraq, or the timing, or how the war has been prosecuted. There is plenty of fodder for discussion almost two years into it. There's no need to lie, and make no mistake, the quote above is a lie. It's a lie that's been repeated over and over again in an Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.

I don't think Senator Boxer is stupid or careless in her words. I think she made the above statement deliberately and cynically because she knows her words will be repeated by the mainstream press without thought or critique, and those predisposed to believe them will take them to heart. Senator Boxer cares not one whit that her support on her Iraq position is based at least in part on ignorance. That may not be a big deal to some, but I would be ashamed.

I followed the six month debate over Iraq closely. I remember three broad points that were articulated by the Bush Administration:

1. Iraq was obligated to account for all WMDs and WMD programs and had failed to do so in violation of UN resolutions.

2. Iraq was supporting and harboring terrorists, again in violation of UN resolutions.

3. Iraq was a brutal dictatorship that was guilty of torturing and murdering it's own citizens.

Personally, that was enough for me. I supported and still support the war.

For a more detailed look at the Iraq Congressional Resolution that was passed and a much harsher take on Sen. Boxer go here (via Instapundit).

I love America because here we are all entitled to our opinions. There is not a single person in this country, or anywhere for that matter, that I think is stupid, or hate, or disparage in any way simply because they are liberal, or conservative, or any other label.

But no one is entitled to their own facts. They are what they are. A big part of the problem in political discourse right now I think starts with the complete dishonesty of statements like the Senator's above. 

It's unnecessary, it's garbage, it's pissing in the political pool. Not that anyone cares but I for one am tired of it.