2009-06-03

Iraq was invaded because of 9/11

While Bush and Cheney may have prevaricated in saying outright that Iraq should be invaded because they were involved in 9/11, the text of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 makes it very, very clear:

*Whereas members of al Qaida, an organization bearing responsibility for attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests, including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, are known to be in Iraq;

*Whereas Iraq continues to aid and harbor other international terrorist organizations, including organizations that threaten the lives and safety of United States citizens;

*Whereas the attacks on the United States of September 11, 2001, underscored the gravity of the threat posed by the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction by international terrorist organizations;

*Whereas Congress has taken steps to pursue vigorously the war on terrorism through the provision of authorities and funding requested by the President to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such persons or organizations;

*(2) acting pursuant to this joint resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.


Of course, this resolution was passed by a Republican congress and signed off by George Bush. Could it be any clearer?

Public Debt exceeds 50% of GDP

For those who were following my public debt watch:

GDP = $14.0897 Trillion (source)
Public Debt = $7.09786167767201 Trillion (2009-06-01)
Debt/GDP ratio = 50.38%
Population = 306,749,445 (Resident Population + Armed Forces Overseas, 2009-05-01)
Public Debt / person = $23,138.96