all wars are crimes

Saira believes that all wars are crimes -- deliberately staged to sanction murder, rape and mayhem for largely economic gains -- and she is appalled that Colin Powell, the former American secretary of state, admitted that he was against the invasion of Iraq and correctly predicted its consequences but nevertheless went before the UN, presented the case for war and plunged the whole world into hell.

"Powell's resignation from the Bush administration always intrigued me," says Saira. "He never looked particularly comfortable in the job and I thought at the time it was a case of quitting before he was pushed, but now I can see that it was due to his conscience finally getting the better of him."

"What a pity his conscience wasn't on duty when Bush disregarded his advice -- and ours -- about the invasion of Iraq," sighs Saira. "If he was truly against the invasion and fully aware of its terrible consequences he would have gone down in history as a shining example of integrity and courage had he quit on the spot and refused to be part of the murderous and duplicitous Bush regime."

"If he thinks that 'coming clean' at this late stage of the game will endear us to him -- and erase his participation in plunging us into hell -- then he has another think coming," says Saira."He cannot use the 'German' line of defence in his story -- he was only following orders -- because this man wasn't a foot soldier and he wasn't employed in a military capacity."

"He was the secretary of state -- a civil position -- representing the USA at the UN," explains Saira. "His presentation of the case for war against Iraq was seen as being trustworthy, despite its flaws, because he, and nobody else, presented it. He was the only person in the administration that had any semblance of integrity."

"As I see it, Colin Powell took a oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States --not a personal oath of loyalty to George W. Bush," says Saira. "If he knew in his heart that the invasion was wrong and would plunge his country into another lost cause costing the lives of thousands of young Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis then he had a moral duty to take a stand."

"It is not sufficient for me to know that he tried to talk Bush out of going to war," says Saira. "He should have quit, taken his case to the people and exposed all of the other shady shenanigans that were going on behind the scenes."

"Such a stand may not have prevented the invasion from going ahead without him," admits Saira, "but at least Mr Powell's conscience would be clean and his future as a great leader assured."

"I truly believe, though, that had Mr Powell quit at the outset and presented a case to the people against going to war, the invasion would NOT have taken place and we would now be in a far better place in relation to the war on terror," says Saira. "And that's why I am angry and disappointed at his feeble attempt to whitewash himself."

"It wasn't Saddam's head we wanted, it was Osama's, remember?" adds Saira. "In view of the Bush family's close ties with Saudi Arabia and the bin Laden family itself it wouldn't surprise me if Osama is somewhere nice and safe under Bush protection -- and Powell may know this."

"If Powell's presentation of the case for war to the UN won the support of so many allies, then his presentation of the case against war to the American people would have been similarly successful."

"How does that sit on his conscience?"

"How can someone with such remarkable insight about the consequences of invading Iraq have such little insight about the consequences of his own actions?" asks Saira. "Did he really think that a resignation after the invasion would wipe clean his slate and, after lying low for a while, he could resume a career with the other side -- as an advisor to Barack Obama of all people?"

"Well, that revelation has sunk Obama's chances and surely paved the way for Hillary's return to the White House," sighs Saira "And, although gossip about another of one Bill's flings may be more palatable than endless war stories,we must never forget that it was on Bill's watch that Osama gained ground."

"Changing sides is rarely a good career move and Mr Powell's credibility would have remained relatively unscathed had he stuck with the Republicans after his resignation and kept quiet," says Saira. "Like the rest of them, he could have salvaged his reputation with the usual spin about 'doing our best under difficult circumstances' and would now be well respected by his party peers -- many of whom are finally breaking ranks openly with Bush on the war."

"If my boss failed to follow my advice on financial matters -- a capacity for which he pays me handsomely -- I would be insulted," says Saira. "And if he asked me to invest company funds in a scheme I knew was dodgy, I wouldn't do it, not for anything. I would rather quit than compromise my reputation."

"So, Mr Powell, why did you continue working with a boss who didn't value your advice, and why did you compromise your reputation in full view of the world at the UN to enable the dodgy schemes of your boss? Isn't that lapdog behavior? What was your reward for selling your soul?"

"Mr Powell, you had the power to prevent the loss of thousands of lives -- Iraqi, allies and American -- and the opportunity to go down in history as a truly great man, but you put your career and loyalty towards Mr Bush and the warmongers in the Republican party ahead of your duty towards the American people and, as for the trusting young people you sent on what you knew was a doomed mission,what do you say to their grieving parents now?"

"And, are you waiting until the Bush regime is toppled before telling us other salient facts -- such as deliberate protection for Osama?" asks Saira. "If you know anything that would save another life being wasted in Iraq, speak up now, spill all the beans now, or forever hold your tongue."

"Anyway, my point is not really to opine about Mr Powell's past, present and future behavior," says Saira. "It's to point out the base criminality of war and the greedy, grubby, self-serving natures of those waging it."

"They should all be tried for war crimes," says Saira, "and we should all hang our heads in shame forgoing along with a corrupt political system that promotes candidates according to how much money and big business influence they have rather than their personal qualities."