Proved right, unfortunately…

Christian Century, April 3, 2007 by Brian Wren

THE HUMILITY evidenced in Brian Stiltner's "Just war: Second thoughts on Iraq" (Dec. 12) is refreshing. But there is another story. Like a number of other Americans (though not enough) I was convinced by the beginning of 2003 that President Bush was determined to invade Iraq. The momentum of troop buildups, continual bogus linking of Saddam Hussein with the perpetrators of 9/11, attacks on the integrity of UN weapons inspectors, and escalating rhetoric clearly signaled his intent, as did his refusal to consider alternatives.

One such alternative was the February 2003 initiative from Sojourners, supported by the Episcopal bishop of Washington, D.C., the stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the ecumenical officer of the United Methodist Council of Bishops and the immediate past general secretary of the American Baptist Churches. Presenting legal, economic and military measures to undermine and oust Hussein, the plan was a tough-minded, well-reasoned alternative to "the unpredictable and potentially disastrous consequences of war, massive civilian casualties, further destabilization of the Middle East, and the fueling of more terrorism."

I protested against the war as strongly as I could, along with many groups and organizations, including students and colleagues at the seminary where I teach and members of the congregation to which I belong. It gives me no pleasure but only sorrow to say that we were right, as was the document's warning that "a war against Iraq will fuel anti-American animosity in the Arab world, where cooperation in the war on terror is most needed."

Whether we have second thoughts or not, a pressing task is to come to terms with America's looming defeat in Iraq--a defeat of historic proportions-and to work for a national leadership willing to learn from it, rather than repeat the misconceptions and misdirected actions of the recent past.

Brian Wren

Chilmark, Mass.