Three Republican politicians against Iraq War

Henry Kissinger says, "The notion of justified pre-emption runs counter to modern international law, which sanctions the use of force in self-defense only against actual -- not potential -- threats." Kissinger also says, "American military intervention in Iraq would be supported only grudgingly, if at all, by most European allies."

Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) says the CIA has "absolutely no evidence" that Iraq possesses or will soon possess nuclear weapons.

Dick Armey, the House (Republican) Majority Leader, says, "I don't believe that America will justifiably make an unprovoked attack on another nation." He also says, "It would not be consistent with what we have been as a nation or what we should be as a nation."

Originally posted by Electric Cowboy
Henry Kissinger says, "The notion of justified pre-emption runs counter to modern international law, which sanctions the use of force in self-defense only against actual -- not potential -- threats." Kissinger also says, "American military intervention in Iraq would be supported only grudgingly, if at all, by most European allies."

Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) says the CIA has "absolutely no evidence" that Iraq possesses or will soon possess nuclear weapons.

Dick Armey, the House (Republican) Majority Leader, says, "I don't believe that America will justifiably make an unprovoked attack on another nation." He also says, "It would not be consistent with what we have been as a nation or what we should be as a nation."

Why are all these quotes from 08/02? I believe many opinions have changed since then...

Some people think Kissinger's a war criminal...

Dick Armey was expressing his honest opinion at that time, in 08/02 when he was quoted as saying that... I don't believe that had much of an impact then, and it really doesn't now. In fact, he's resigned since then. In his farewell speech, he made mention of the loss of freedoms, which is true to his conservative viewpoint.

Why are all these quotes from 08/02? I believe many opinions have changed since then...

Many of those people you refer to still think this war is the wrong way to go about handling Saddam, but feel they might as well get behind Bush since he's already dragged us into it and they feel there's no turning back now.

Some people think Kissinger's a war criminal...

Alot of people would say that gives the case against war even more leverage when even an infamous warhawk during the Vietnam War says that a war on Iraq right now would a mistake.

Dick Armey was expressing his honest opinion at that time, in 08/02 when he was quoted as saying that... I don't believe that had much of an impact then, and it really doesn't now.

Well I don't think people simply shrug such comments off. If it's a liberal democrat that perhaps such comment would be seen as typical, but when a strong conservative declares such views people do listen.

I'm not arguing the validity of the comments, nor their merit (okay, well maybe Kissinger's) - just that they were all made over 6 months ago, while not all information was known, and while no determinate course of action was laid out... How about some more recent commentary that speaks to the current situation - wouldn't that better illustrate the point I think you are trying to make with this post?

I respect Armey's view, for sure. He's a war veteran, and he stated his opinion (although I can't remember seeing a recent quote from him).

There's a whole lot of buzz on the net right now around these comments - people are stating when they were made. Opinions change over time, and people change their views... it's not as powerful a statement when you know the timeline involved.