James Taranto
(second item) reminds us of predictions gone wrong by Ted Kennedy and
others about casualties in Iraq. The statements also serve as a
reminder that fear of Saddam’s lunacy and weapons led some to oppose an
invasion.
- “In launching a war against Iraq now, the United States may
precipitate the very threat that we are intent on preventing–weapons
of mass destruction in the hands of terrorists. If Saddam’s regime and
his very survival are threatened, then his view of his interests may be
profoundly altered: He may decide he has nothing to lose by using weapons of mass destruction himself or by sharing them with terrorists. . . .
Saddam may well hide his most lethal weapons in mosques, schools and
hospitals. If our forces attempt to strike such targets, untold numbers
of Iraqi civilians could be killed.“–Ted Kennedy, Sept. 27, 2002
- “Up to four million people could die in a war on Iraq involving nuclear weapons.
A more contained conflict could cause half a million deaths and have a
devastating impact on the lives, health and environment of the
combatants, Iraqi civilians, and people in neighbouring countries and
beyond. It could also damage the global economy and thus indirectly
harm the health and well-being of millions more people across the
world.”–executive summary, “A New Gulf War: The Real Cost,” Medact (“a
UK-based charity taking action on key global health issues”),
Nov. 13, 2002
