A dossier released by "Iraqi Body Count", a project of the UK non-governmental non-violent and disarmament organization Oxford Research Group, attributed approximately 6,616 civilian deaths to the actions of US led forces during the "Invasion Phase", including the "Shock and Awe" bombing campaign on Baghdad. Of course, this finding was immediately dismissed by the US government as being erroneous, however their own attempts at enumerating civilian losses was obviously disinformation and misinformation. Many people do not know that the idea of Shock and Awe as a military concept was conceived much earlier, even possibly by the Germans in the Blitzkrieg, but the idea was adopted by the Bush White house and came largely into the public awareness in the wake of the US led attack on Baghdad in March of 2003. The doctrine was formally written by Harlan K. Ullman and James P. Wade in 1996 and is a product of the National Defense University of the United States. The authors used, as an example, the theoretical invasion of Iraq 20 years after Operation Desert Storm, and they even cited the use of misinformation and disinformation as an integral part of the doctrine.
It should be pretty obvious to anyone willing to take the time to read the information available with an open mind, that someone in the Bush White House had read this doctrine and brought it to the attention of George Bush in some meeting in the White House, (or even before his election), where it was subsequently determined to give it a whirl against Baghdad. They proceeded, against overwhelming opposition in Congress and the united Nations. The proposed Invasion of Iraq was strongly opposed by some traditional US allies, including the governments of France, Germany, New Zealand and Canada. Only four countries participated in the initial invasion: The United States, Great Britain, Australia, Poland and in addition, support was given by Iraqi Kurdistan. As a matter of fact, the president ordered the plans for the invasion to be drafted within two weeks of the 9-11 attacks.
It is my belief that George Bush has read the Sermon on the Mount, or had it read to him, many times. He has also had it explained to him in depth. I believe this because GW Bush was very vocal about his Christian Faith, unlike many of his predecessors, who preferred to keep their religion out of their Politics. One of the most controversial passages in this sermon is found in Matthew 7; vs 1-5:
1 JUDGE not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Now in this context of his background and raising, how is it possible that arguably the most powerful man in the world at that time, could make this determination to invade Iraq, on his own, with only the support and consideration of his very closest circle of advisors. By February of 2003, largely through a campaign of misinformation and disinformation, and in spite of a UN inspection of Iraqi facilities in response to UN Resolution 1441, GW Bush was able to convince Congress to pass a Joint Resolution to authorize use of US Armed Forces against Iraq. Although a large majority of Americans polled were in favor of an invasion, by this time, a large majority also favored diplomatic solutions.
In summary, the Bush Administration, made the determination to proceed with this pre-emptive invasion of Iraq, based on disinformation and misinformation by his closest circle of advisors, and against the wishes of the American people and world-wide public opinion. This plan was essentially put into place on the day of his inaugeration.
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