Gene makes a point that’s been running through my head lately, which is that almost regardless of what happens in the coming war, the hawks will probably take it as a vindication. If we see a surge in domestic terrorism, it will be proof that Iraq and al-Qaeda are linked, and that it’s important to fight on against a still-looming threat. It sure won’t be a sign that perhaps we should reevaluate our strategy, since that would constiute “appeasement” or “blaming America.” If we don’t, they’ll cluck their tongues at what scardey-cats we all were to suggest such a thing. If Hussein uses biological or chemical weapons on advancing American troops, it will be further evidence of his barbarism (did we need any?) and willingness to use prohibited weapons stockpiles. If he doesn’t, well, that certainly refutes all our dovish “scaremongering” about the prospect, doesn’t it? Ah well, I suppose now I just get to hope that I get “proved wrong” in the second way in each case.

The U.N. has it’s own similar problem, of course. If it goes along with the war, it will obviously just be a case of folding to U.S. pressure, given the state of domestic opinion in the relevant countries. If it doesn’t, the U.S. goes in anyway, and the body is shown to be irrelevant.