Reason has what would be comedy gold if it didn’t involve so many people dying. As we wind up for yet another war in Iraq it’s a good time to stop and reflect on our history with that little chunk of land. Let’s take a look at what our previous presidents have said about Iraq, going all the way back to the first Bush. You’ll notice a common theme:
Did last night’s primetime presidential speech announcing expanding authorization for airstrikes in Iraq and Syria feel kind of familiar? Like you’ve heard it before?
That’s probably because you have. You’ve been hearing for more than two decades, from presidents on both sides of political aisle. At this point, bombing Iraq is practically a American presidential tradition.
And, via the magic of YouTube and The Huffington Post‘s Sam Stein, you can watch every president back to the first George Bush announce a new plan to launch military strikes in Iraq.
I’m not sure what our fascination with bombing people in that very specific region is but ordering it has basically become a right of passage for presidents. If only the people living there would stop hating us for bombing them!